This week’s roundup covers Airbnb.org’s new disaster response partnership, Hilton’s latest apartment-style brand aimed at vacation rentals, social media-driven travel trends, Airbnb’s continued push into AI, and a major milestone for Lake.com. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb.org announced a new disaster response partnership this week with 211 LA, a nonprofit that serves as Los Angeles County’s 24/7 non-emergency information and referral service provider. The partnership is aimed at helping connect people displaced by disasters with free, temporary housing through Airbnb.org, while relying on 211 LA’s local call center and coordination support. The agreement builds on a year of collaboration that provided housing to nearly 24,000 people affected by the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, and includes a $100,000 credit commitment from Airbnb.org to help 211 LA place guests in emergency housing throughout 2026.
Hilton announced the launch of Apartment Collection by Hilton, a new brand designed to compete more directly with short-term and mid-term rentals while attempting to bring a standardized, hotel-style experience. The collection will include roughly 10,000 apartment-style units, with up to 3,000 new units added through a partnership with Placemakr, and reservations expected to open in the coming months. Hilton says the collection will feature furnished apartments paired with hotel services, including dedicated on-site team members available 24/7. The move marks the latest attempt by a major hotel brand to professionalize short-term rentals at scale and appeal to travelers seeking the flexibility of an apartment with the consistency and support of a traditional hotel.
Airbnb released its list of the most loved Airbnbs on social media in 2025, highlighting Guest Favorite listings that generated the most likes, comments, shares, and impressions across TikTok and Instagram. Airbnb says social media continues to play a growing role in how guests discover places to stay, especially among Gen Z travelers. Common themes among the most engaging listings include nature-focused properties and distinctive spaces that allow guests to disconnect and feel inspired. The highlighted stays range from a riverfront cabin in Washington to a converted DC-6 airplane in Alaska to a tropical treehouse in Hawaii, pointing to how experience-driven properties are increasingly shaping traveler interest and booking behavior on social media.
As part of its continued push into artificial intelligence, Airbnb has announced the addition of Ahmad Al-Dahle as its new Chief Technology Officer. Al-Dahle previously led generative AI efforts at Meta and will oversee Airbnb’s technology and AI strategy as the company continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence. Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said Al-Dahle “connects big ideas with technical depth” and emphasized that the hire reflects Airbnb’s belief that AI will play a central role in shaping how guests discover stays and how hosts operate on the platform in the near future.
Lake.com announced this week that it has surpassed 40,000 vacation rental listings across 36 countries, marking a major milestone for the listing site focused on lakefront, riverfront, and waterfront stays. The company says demand for water-based travel remains strong across North America and Europe, as travelers increasingly seek quieter, nature-focused destinations. For vacation rental operators, Lake.com continues to show strong growth and provides property managers access to a highly targeted audience of travelers looking for lakehouses, cabins, cottages, and beach homes. And for OwnerRez users, stay tuned for a Lake.com channel integration coming soon.
As new listing platforms gain traction and new brands emerge, the vacation rental landscape continues to evolve. Check back next week for the latest news.