Airbnb Farms: How to Start Farmhouse Vacation Rental Business

Since, for many people, life on a farm always sounds idyllic and relaxing, farm stays have become a popular option on Airbnb. Tired of the hustle and bustle of city life, today’s travelers prioritize outdoor vacations, and many are increasingly seeking authentic experiences that only a working farm can provide.

So, if you own a farm in a picturesque location, you may consider making some extra income by renting out your space to vacationers who’d like a taste of a simple farm life. To help you get started, here we’ll talk about how to turn your property in a peaceful location into a unique vacation rental and share the beauty of rural life with others. You’ll also find a list of some of the best Airbnb farms that offer nature, solitude, and an immersive experience. 

You may also want to check out our blog article, where we share some advice for Airbnb hosts to help you stand out. 

Airbnb Farms: How to Prepare to Accept Guests

The best thing about Airbnb farm stays is that you can rent out anything—a spare room, an entire cottage, a converted barn, a shepherd’s hut, a tiny house, an RV, a geodesic home, or a yurt. But you should remember that farm accommodations aren’t just about providing a place to sleep; they’re about the entire experience.

It’s about offering guests a chance to disconnect from their daily routines, recharge in nature, learn about farm life, interact with animals, and taste farm-grown treats like fruits and vegetables from the fields. You can create an unforgettable journey for your guests by offering activities they wouldn’t typically experience daily, like collecting fresh eggs straight from the coop or milking cows.

And, of course, it’s all about proactively communicating with guests via messages to make them feel welcome and cared for. Automating the entire process using vacation rental management software like Hospitable is the easiest way to ensure perfect communication with travelers.

But before you open your farm gates to travelers, it’s important to ensure your rental property is inviting, safe, and functional. Evaluate how attractive your property is in the eyes of potential guests—consider the layout of your farm, overall ambiance, and the proximity of the main accommodations to farm activities.

Make the necessary renovations and upgrades and equip your rental with top amenities like a fully equipped kitchen, a hot tub, and a stable internet connection to create a comfortable environment where travelers can relax. Consider providing high-quality bedding, towels, and plenty of hangers and shelves. Creating a vacation rental inventory checklist can help ensure you cover all the basics to meet the needs of your ideal guests.

Take safety measures. Ensure that all the farm animals are in secure areas, especially if they aren’t used to strangers. Install clear signs that will help guide guests around your property and highlight any potential hazards.

Since cleanliness is a top priority for guests, you must ensure your Airbnb farm rental is spotless. STR cleaning can be challenging if you have a quick turnover, so hiring professional cleaners to take care of your property makes sense. Provide your cleaners with a comprehensive cleaning checklist that they should follow to keep your property guest-ready.

List your property on Airbnb. Upload great photos of each room in your home and the surrounding area, and create an engaging description to help travelers imagine what kind of experience they will have while staying at your property. Set your prices and cancellation policies and create house rules. Complete your Airbnb profile to establish connections with guests. When your listing goes live, you can start accepting guests.

Hosting involves many responsibilities, so managing your Airbnb farm can be challenging, especially during peak farming. You can solve this problem by automating your hosting routine using vacation rental software with a comprehensive set of features.

Tools like Hospitable can help streamline your hosting process, automating almost every aspect, including assigning tasks to your teammates, updating calendars and prices across multiple channels, managing guest reviews, etc. This way, you free up hours to create unforgettable stays for your guests and market your Airbnb.

Airbnb Farms

If you need inspiration to start your hosting journey, check out these Airbnb farms that can make anyone want to abandon city life.

Source: Working flower farm in South Africa

This charming farmhouse outside Stellenbosch is on a working flower farm surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. The gorgeous interior is decorated with colorful textiles and eclectic art objects collected from around the world, and every room is filled with plants and flowers. Guests can take a dip in the outdoor 15m pool and then enjoy a meal near a wood-burning fireplace on the outdoor patio.

Source: Farmhouse on artichoke farm near Pacific Coast

Staying in this ultra-bohemian four-bedroom farmhouse located only three miles from the coast and boasting miles of vast artichoke fields feels like a trip to the 1970s in the best way. The house has a large, comfortable living room, a well-stocked kitchen, and a dining room and features an outdoor fireplace, propane grill, and lounge area with couches.

Source: Private treehouse at a farm

This spacious treehouse at a functioning farm is surrounded by forestry and nature and has all the modern amenities guests need to relax in the countryside while still giving them a sense of camping. Guests can visit the farm animals guided by property management and say “Hi” to sheep, goats, chickens, and pigs or take a day trip to local vineyards or breweries.

Source: Cabin on a ranch

This cozy one-room cabin is nestled on a 400-acre ranch with a backdrop of stunning red cliffs. It features the original wood plank floors, rough-sawn lumber beams, paneling, and hand-finished cob walls. Guests can find solitude and peace when hiking around the private canyon or kayaking at local reservoirs just 10 minutes away.

Source: Barn house in a vineyard

This newly renovated barn with a beautiful view of the Grand Valley is perfect for relaxing among the vines and enjoying outdoor activities and wine-touring. Guests can access 4 acres of wine grapes, half an acre of fruit orchard, and a full vegetable garden. The barn also has a full kitchen and outdoor BBQ for culinary adventures.

Source: Old Glenroy Dairy

This cozy one-bedroom cottage on a working beef cattle farm was originally built in the early 1920s and has been lovingly restored to retain its history and character. The dairy is nestled among rolling green hills and surrounded by beautiful wildlife, so it’s a perfect place to relax and unwind.  

Source: Romantic glamping bungalow

Designed for two guests, this glamping bungalow on a private ranch was specifically built for romantic getaways. There is an ultra-comfortable king-size canopy bed and a full bathroom with a large shower. Guests can relax comfortably on the deck and enjoy fabulous panoramic views as they watch Texas Longhorn cattle graze around the pond.

Source: The lodge at June Farms

This rustic one-bedroom lodge features an open floorplan, a full kitchen featuring a six-person island, and a living area outfitted with Restoration Hardware Chesterfield sofas that add comfort and elegance. Guests can explore the farm and meet horses, Scottish Highland cows, Tamworth pigs, chickens, and ducks.

Source: 120-year-old farmhouse

This 120-year-old farmhouse has everything for a comfortable stay—two bedrooms, a living room, a full kitchen, and a bathroom. It is located on a 3-acre working farm where hosts raise pigs, free-roaming chickens, and four goats. Guests are welcome to walk around the farm, look at the animals, and feed the goats through the fence.

Source: Airbnb studio on a hobby farm

The studio apartment that offers a terrific view of the sunrise is located on a 44-acre farm owned by the same family for generations. Guests can watch free-range chickens, gather eggs, and view local wildlife. Guests traveling with children will have fun in the tank house that was converted into a whimsical three-story playhouse and lookout tower. 

Final Thought

With a rising interest in sustainable living, Airbnb farms are becoming increasingly popular among eco-conscious travelers looking to escape urban stress, recharge, and dive into rural living. Hosting a farm stay on Airbnb can help you diversify your farming income, share a lifestyle you love, and make new connections.

Just remember that Airbnb hosting isn’t just about providing a place to stay—it’s about creating a memorable experience for your guests and making them happy.