Who hasn’t fantasized about living the rockstar life every once in awhile?
You might not be able to pick up a guitar, swivel your hips, and make the crowds go wild, but you can spend the night where the King once laid his head. Airbnb has an array of accommodations that let you follow in the footsteps of some entertainment legends, from Elvis Presley’s Beverly Hills estate to a private island resort from the billionaire behind Cirque du Soleil. Of course, that kind of cred comes at a cost—these are not your bottom-of-the-barrel rentals—but if you’re looking for a fantasy escape, here are some extremely tempting options.
When price is no object
Why settle for a mere luxury property when you could have an entire island to yourself? Situated in French Polynesia, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Nukutepipi was purchased by Cirque co-founder Guy Laliberté in 2007 and transformed into a private paradise, with 16 stylish bungalows and villas set on a pristine stretch of sand. The atoll can accommodate 52 guests across 21 bedrooms, and you can forget about roughing it—between the spa, the lanai, the infinity pool, the private chef, and the staff of 100 attending to your every need, pampering is the name of the game here. From €900,000 (US $997,256) for seven nights.
When you want to channel the King
Elvis passed away more than 40 years ago, but he’s still the second most-successful solo artist in America, with more RIAA-certified gold records than any other act out there—and it only follows that he’d pick a house fit for royalty. Located in Trousdale Estates, a chi-chi development at the top of Beverly Hills that “promised ‘Life Above It All’ to the wealthy few,” the place Elvis, Priscilla, and Lisa Marie called home in the late ‘60s is a mid-century masterpiece, boasting a pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a glass-walled lounge and billiard room overlooking the valley and Mulholland Drive. The sprawling, light-filled four-bedroom property covers 5367 square feet and sleeps eight, complete with the original gates where the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll used to greet his adoring fans. US$2950 (€2655) per night.
When you’re dreaming of a white Christmas
Though he didn’t pen the tune, Bing Crosby is known for one of the biggest smash-hit holiday songs of all time—and then some. It’s just a bit ironic: The man responsible for introducing “White Christmas” to the world found respite from the public eye in a desert oasis. A 3200-square-foot hacienda dating to 1934, Bing’s former digs sleep eight and features beautifully-restored vaulted ceilings, a chef’s kitchen, a pool area with a wet bar and a citrus grove, and stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains, all just a few minutes from downtown Palm Springs, California. US $753 (€677) per night.
When you’re in the mood to cosy up with your babe
Before Sonny Bono became a congressman and Cher became, well, Cher, the iconic duo epitomized love and togetherness, ‘60s-style. It’s been fully renovated since they moved out, but the pair’s one-time home in Los Angeles’s Lake Hollywood neighborhood echoes that cool boho vibe, with mid-century modern furnishings, woven wall hangings, and a private deck looking out over the San Fernando Valley. A 1954 Case Study–style house designed by Greta Grossman, the architectural landmark is located on a private road, just five minutes from Hollywood, the Hollywood Reservoir, and the Wisdom Tree Hike. US$300 (€270) per night.
