In the world of Airbnb, extraordinary homes are deemed Guest Favorites,
, or given the “Luxe” tag. The lesser-known seal of approval? The fact that it once belonged to someone famous. You know, someone with great taste, who was maybe inducted into a certain Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or who penned one of the greatest American novels of the twentieth century.
Believe it or not, Airbnb is rife with properties formerly owned by stars, from Elizabeth Taylor’s sprawling estate in sunny
to John Steinbeck’s quaint little writing cottage in Pacific Grove. Staying at one of these rentals is like reliving a moment in history—especially at the Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald home in Montgomery, Alabama, which houses a museum dedicated to the writers downstairs. While some of these former residences are all about the glitz and glamour, others are the humble abodes that started it all. Below, nine Airbnbs that once belonged to A-listers and artists of yore.
We’ve selected these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews.
Sonny and Cher’s Villa Carmelita in Palm Springs, California
Private pool, outdoor shower, ping-pong table, built-in barbecue grill
Channel old Hollywood glamour at Sonny and Cher’s Villa Carmelita, a gated estate just south of Tahquitz Canyon. Originally built in 1930 for
actor Joseph Cotten, the Spanish Colonial Revival villa served as a playground for film stars like Natalie Wood and Lloyd Bridges before it was taken over by Sonny and Cher in the ’70s. The central courtyard—with its sparkling blue pool, outdoor dining area, and even a ping-pong table—is the star of the show, with bedrooms that enter and exit either to the pool or the front of the house. Ideal for a large group of friends, this five-bedroom landmark home serves as a luxe base camp for trips to
Moorten Botanical Garden, Tahquitz Canyon, Joshua Tree National Park
Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate in Palm Springs, California
In 1947, famed architect E. Stewart Williams designed Twin Palms for Frank Sinatra and his wife, Nancy (who was eventually replaced by Sinatra’s second wife, Ava Gardner). Ol’ Blue Eyes lived in the modernist masterpiece for a decade before selling it in 1957. Book a stay to pretend you’re a part of the Hollywood elite that would once frequent this hideaway, which features gorgeous
details like St. Charles kitchen cabinets, terrazzo floor tiles, and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. Sinatra fans can enjoy memorabilia scattered throughout the house, and if they feel so inclined, play a few tunes themselves on the grand piano. Bonus: Since this property is located in Palm Springs’s famed Movie Colony (a neighborhood born from the old Hollywood “two-hour rule,” a contract stipulation that actors had to live within two hours of the production lot), you can also ogle at famous residences nearby, including those belonging to Cary Grant, Jack Benny, and more.
Downtown Palm Springs, Palm Springs Convention Center, Joshua Tree National Park
Rock ‘n’ roll legend Jimi Hendrix lived in this adorable home, aptly nicknamed “Gingerbread House,” during the filming of
counterculture. The remodeled 1930s cottage, lined with cedar wood, is plopped on an organic farm where guests can help themselves to all kinds of native delicacies, from papaya and plantains to avocado and lychee (the owner, Eve, is happy to give a farm tour—just ask!). Because you’re practically in the jungle, the windows offer spectacular views of the verdant tree canopy, but if you’re itching for some blue, the beach is just 10 minutes away by car.
Maui Alpaca, Twin Falls Maui, Haleakala National Park
Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald’s Montgomery, Alabama home
Home to the Fitzgerald Museum, in-unit washer/dryer, private backyard
and want to feel as though you’ve stepped back in time to the 1930s
, then this historic Montgomery home is for you. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald lived here from 1931 to 1932, and it’s where they allegedly wrote portions of their respective novels,
. The furniture today still honors the period, and some pieces were donated by Zelda’s childhood friends, so you’ll feel as though you’re living inside a museum—not least because
, the only museum dedicated to these two Lost Generation writers, is located right downstairs.
Cloverdale Playhouse, The Capri, Alabama State Capitol
Heated pool, wood-burning fireplace, mountain views
Another stunner in the Movie Colony, film and music star Bing Crosby’s former Palm Springs hacienda was, as the current owner states, “a playground for the rich and famous for nearly one hundred years.” Beginning in the 1930s, Crosby and his wife, Dixie Lee, would frequent the town, often
at the legendary Racquet Club, and Crosby would eventually broadcast his weekly program from the Plaza Theatre in 1952 before heading back to this home. Now, you too can spend your days taking in the San Jacinto Mountains from the glittering blue pool (an adjacent cantina houses a wet bar complete with an ice maker), then wind down in the screening room, where you can project anything from Apple TV or the Criterion Collection on an 8-by-15-foot screen—a true Hollywood experience.
Ruth Hardy Park, North Lykken Trailhead, Tahquitz Canyon
John Steinbeck’s writer’s cottage in Pacific Grove, California
Private backyard, proximity to coastline, garden views
