In the evolving world of short-term rentals, theme stays have skyrocketed in popularity—from Harry Potter–inspired homes to retro 70s hideaways, Barbie dreamhouses, jungle escapes, and even immersive murder-mystery mansions. Travelers today are no longer just searching for a place to sleep—they are searching for a world to step into. And theme stays are the fastest-growing segment meeting that demand.
This shift isn’t random. It’s deeply rooted in human psychology, emotion, and the desire for meaningful, memorable experiences. In this blog, we explore the psychological forces that explain why theme stays are dominating Airbnb, Vrbo, and booking platforms worldwide.
1. Theme Stays Deliver Escapism in Its Purest Form
In a fast-paced world full of stress, uncertainty, and digital overload, people crave an escape—something that feels far removed from their daily routine. Traditional rentals may offer comfort, but theme stays offer transformation.
Psychologists describe escapism as a healthy mental reset when done intentionally, allowing the mind to recharge by stepping away from daily pressures. A themed rental amplifies this by placing guests into a completely different universe the moment they walk in.
A 2024 study by Expedia found that travelers increasingly seek experiences that “transport them,” reflecting a global appetite for immersive environments.
Source: https://www.expedia.com/newsroom/article/expedias-travel-trends-report/
When guests choose theme stays, they aren’t just booking accommodation—they are booking emotional relief.
2. Theme Stays Activate Childhood Nostalgia (A Powerful Emotional Trigger)
Nostalgia is one of humanity’s strongest emotional drivers. It triggers a cocktail of positive feelings—comfort, joy, belonging, and familiarity.
People book theme stays for the same reason they rewatch their favorite childhood movie:
It brings them back to a simpler, happier time.
Whether it’s:
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a fairytale-themed home
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a superhero loft
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a 90s throwback condo
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a video-game-inspired retreat
guests want experiences that rekindle the sense of wonder they felt years ago.
According to research published in Psychology Today, nostalgia increases life satisfaction, reduces stress, and strengthens social connection.
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/nostalgia
This is why so many theme stays go viral on social media—they tap directly into collective memory.
3. Theme Stays Create a Sense of Story — Guests Want to Live Inside a Narrative
Humans are wired for stories. Stories shape our emotions, identity, and imagination. Storytelling psychology suggests that people feel more fulfilled when they can place themselves into a narrative arc.
This is where theme stays dominate.
Guests don’t just stay in a room—
they become a character inside a story.
A pirate-themed house becomes an adventure.
A futuristic cyberpunk loft becomes a mission.
A cowboy-themed ranch becomes an escape into Americana.
Airbnb’s rise of “experiential stays” shows that travelers want more than amenities—they want a story they can participate in.
Source: https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/airbnbs-2024-travel-trends-193
This narrative immersion makes theme stays unforgettable, often leading to higher guest satisfaction and repeat bookings.
4. Theme Stays Are Shareable — And Humans Love Identity Expression
In the social-media era, people express who they are through what they share.
And theme stays are incredibly shareable:
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backdrop for photos
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perfect for Instagram stories
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ideal for TikTok content
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highly aesthetic for digital memories
Sharing a themed experience signals fun, playfulness, creativity, and uniqueness—all traits guests enjoy expressing. This is especially true for Gen Z and Millennials, who value experiences over possessions.
According to a survey by Eventbrite, 78% of Millennials prefer experiences they can post online over material purchases.
Source: https://press.eventbrite.com/millennials-fuel-experience-economy/
It offers picture-perfect, immersive design that fills this psychological need for digital identity and social connection.
5. Theme Stays Enhance Group Bonding and Memory Making
Most are booked for groups—families, friends, team-building retreats, and celebrations.
There’s a psychological reason for this:
Shared novelty strengthens group bonds.
When people do something unusual together—like sleeping in a spaceship-themed bedroom or cooking in a wizard-themed kitchen—they create memories that stand out vividly.
Research from Harvard shows that novel shared experiences create stronger emotional bonds and improved happiness.
Source: https://www.harvard.edu/in-focus/the-science-of-happiness/
Theme stays amplify this effect by providing:
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unique group photo opportunities
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themed games or decor
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conversation starters
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immersive environments for interaction
This is why groups often book for birthdays, reunions, bachelorette weekends, and milestone trips.
6. Theme Stays Help Guests Break Out of Routine (A Psychological Refresh)
Routine can be comforting, but too much routine becomes mentally draining. The brain craves novelty—something new to stimulate creativity and joy.
This is one of the biggest hidden benefits of it:
They disrupt monotony in a fun, healthy way.
A themed environment introduces surprising elements at every turn:
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Unexpected colors
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Unusual furniture
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Story-driven decor
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Interactive sets or props
This sensory novelty activates dopamine, boosting mood and energy.
Psychologists often recommend changing one’s environment to spark mental refresh. It accomplish that effortlessly.
7. Theme Stays Allow Adults to “Play”—A Fundamental Psychological Need
Even grown-ups need play.
In fact, play is so important that the National Institute for Play highlights it as critical to creativity, emotional resilience, and well-being.
Source: https://www.nifplay.org/
Traditional rentals aren’t designed for play, but it encourage it naturally.
Guests feel invited to:
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dress up
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role-play
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explore whimsical props
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interact with themed designs
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imagine
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laugh
This return to childhood-style playfulness is incredibly healing in a stressful world. Adults rarely get permission to “just play,” and give them that freedom.
The Business Psychology: Why Theme Stays Are More Profitable
Beyond guest psychology, it is a powerful business strategy. Not only do they stand out in oversaturated markets, but they also:
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achieve higher nightly rates
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maintain strong occupancy
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generate viral social media exposure
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attract repeat guests
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justify premium pricing for immersive quality
AirDNA data shows that unique themed listings consistently outperform standard rentals in price and occupancy.
Source: https://www.airdna.co/blog
In other words, it satisfy both the emotional needs of guests and the financial goals of hosts.
Why Theme Stays Will Keep Rising
In the age of digital burnout and experience-driven travel, theme stays check every psychological box:
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escape
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nostalgia
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storytelling
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creativity
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identity expression
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novelty
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group memories
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play
These motivations aren’t trends—they’re deeply human. They transcend demographics, cultures, and generations, meaning the popularity of it isn’t going anywhere.
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Final Thoughts: Theme Stays Are More Than Decor—They’re Psychology at Work
When guests book theme stays, they are not buying design—they are buying emotion, adventure, and transformation.
They want to step into a world.
They want to feel something new.
They want to become someone else for a moment.
That is the magic of theme stays—and why their rise is only beginning.