Australian Tiny Home Earns Coveted Spot on Airbnb's 2025 'Most Loved' List
A modest tiny home located in the regional heartland of New South Wales has achieved a remarkable distinction, securing a coveted position on Airbnb's prestigious 'most loved' stays list for 2025. This accolade positions Australia as the only country from the Asia-Pacific region to feature on this exclusive global ranking, which highlights just ten properties worldwide based on exceptional social media engagement and popularity.
Gilay Estate: A 'Hut' in Quirindi Capturing Global Imagination
The property garnering international attention is the Gilay Estate, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it tiny home situated in Quirindi, a quaint country town approximately four hours northwest of Sydney with a mere 2,600 residents. Amusingly described by its hosts as a 'hut', this retreat has earned a place within the top one per cent of holiday homes globally, celebrated for its meticulously considered architecture and thoughtful, immersive details.
Set against the sweeping, picturesque backdrop of the Liverpool Plains, the lodge commands $650 per night and is proudly hosted and owned by local couple Sandy and Alexandra. The genesis of Gilay Estate emerged in 2021 as the couple sought to diversify their farming operations, driven by a shared passion for innovative design and creating enriching guest experiences.
Philosophy of Luxury in Nature
'The goal was always to create a place where luxury and nature coexist,' Sandy explained in an interview. 'Every detail was thoughtfully considered, but we were equally focused on letting the landscape do the talking and giving people space to truly slow down.'
This philosophy is palpably realised throughout the property. The modern escape features a cosy wood-fired hot tub, an inviting indoor fireplace, a rustic fire pit, and air conditioning, all complemented by beautifully slick interiors. Notably, sweeping, uninterrupted countryside views replace the conventional need for a television, encouraging genuine disconnection.
'We obsessed over every detail, from the architecture and interior design through to the small amenities that elevate the stay,' Sandy elaborated. 'We want guests to feel like they are in absolute luxury while still being completely immersed in nature. That contrast—high-end comfort paired with total seclusion—is what really seems to stick with people.'
Tapping into Modern Travel Desires
Gilay Estate masterfully taps into the contemporary zeitgeist of travel, offering a sense of being 'far away' without sacrificing comfort or design sensibility. 'It feels remote yet considered, and people can immediately picture themselves there, which makes it resonate well beyond Australia,' Sandy noted. Guests typically spend afternoons wandering the grounds, admiring the bold architecture and spotting local wildlife before sinking into the hot tub for a peaceful evening under a canopy of stars.
The property boasts a perfect five-star rating, with recent guests effusively praising the experience. 'We absolutely loved our stay,' one reviewer gushed. 'Every detail was thoughtfully done and made it easy to switch off and enjoy quality time together. We left feeling refreshed and can't wait to return.'
Organic Popularity and Global Recognition
Sandy expressed that he and Alexandra never intentionally set out to 'build an audience', making the home's viral popularity and this latest accolade deeply touching. 'We focused on creating something truly distinctive then sharing it honestly,' he said. 'Social media became a way to document the experience rather than market it... beautiful light, quiet moments, real stays. [We are] absolutely thrilled.'
The recognition serves as a powerful validation of their vision. 'It felt like a real validation that the experience we'd poured so much thought into was genuinely resonating with people,' Sandy reflected.
The Global List: A Trend Towards Disconnection
Alongside Gilay Estate, nine other properties worldwide were named among Airbnb's most loved stays for 2025. The list is dominated by seven properties located in the United States, with one home in Mexico and another in Italy completing the selection. Intriguingly, a common thread unites all ten: a pronounced off-grid, back-to-nature ethos.
From a river cabin in Marblemount, Washington, and a spa cabin in Remsen, New York, to a hidden treehouse in Hawaii and a modern apartment at the foot of the mountains near Italy's Lake Garda, each property emphasises escape, tranquility, and disconnection. This collective profile offers a clear insight into evolving travel desires, suggesting that for 2025 and beyond, travellers are increasingly craving healthy escapes from the daily grind—holidays that encourage slowing down, disconnecting from technology, and finding inspiration in extraordinary, serene spaces.
The success of Gilay Estate and its peers underscores a significant shift in tourism priorities. It highlights a growing appetite for holidays that are not just about sightseeing, but about profound personal restoration, where luxury is defined not by opulence alone, but by the quality of seclusion, design harmony with nature, and the permission to truly unwind.
