The Trend

Hospitality companies (and plenty of partnering brands) are offering deeply unique, visually fun, and conceptually kitschy accommodations to travelers. These destinations are successful beyond their obvious appeal to the Instagram generation; they also fulfill consumer desire for adventure, individuality, and memorable experiences.

Where We're Seeing It

How Airbnb Went Weird

"There is more than anecdotal and media-based evidence to support the theory that themed travel accommodations are on the rise. According to AirDNA data shared with the Daily Dot, from July 2018 to July 2019 there was a 79.1% year-over-year rise in U.S. listings that included the word ‘theme’ in their titles."
(The Daily Dot, September 2019)

Taco Bell Hotel Sells Out in 2 Minutes: Elation, Disappointment Shared on Twitter

“The 70 rooms sold out within two minutes Thursday morning. ‘Taco Bell fans are truly one of a kind and today was one of the best expressions of that fandom yet,’ said Marisa Thalberg, global chief brand officer for Taco Bell.”
(Palm Springs Desert Sun, June 2019)

This Lisa Frank Hotel Room Is a Time Capsule for ’90s Cool Kids

"Lisa Frank, has teamed up with Hotels.com to create the hotel room of every ’90s kids dreams.’ It's part of a larger Hotels.com initiative that also includes a suite inspired by Guillermo del Toro in Mexico, a half-minimalist half-maximalist suite in London, and a Greenland hotel 500 miles from anywhere else.”
(Fast Company, October 2019)

About NXT

NXT is EPAM Continuum’s trends research group. We identify and synthesize high-level currents and shifts in global culture, business, and technology from the angle of human behavior and cultural values.

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