A coastal Airbnb in Caloundra, Queensland, has claimed a top prize at Airbnb's 2025 Host Awards. Banksia House, perched on King's Beach headland, won Best Design Stay, a category recognizing stays that are as distinctive as they are memorable.
Created by landscape architect Kirsti Sheldon, the retreat is designed to immerse guests in nature and calm. Its lush gardens — named Australia’s Best Garden at the 2023 AILA Awards — frame an indoor-outdoor living experience. The house sleeps four and blurs the line between indoors and outdoors, with open-air walkways connecting bedrooms and living spaces as subtropical surrounds weave through every step. Inside, clean-lined Scandinavian minimalism centers on a sleek kitchen, a sprawling lounge and dining area, and a double-sided fireplace.
Outside, a covered deck, bocce court and an 8-meter magnesium pool with its own lounging zone and shower extend the living space. A secluded alfresco bath tucked between the bedroom courtyards adds a final designer touch. Inside, two bedrooms — one with a king bed and the other with two single beds — each have an ensuite and a private internal courtyard. The home includes ducted heating and air conditioning, ceiling fans, large louvre windows with insect screens, blackout curtains, ample wardrobe space and dual reading lights. Guests are greeted with Aesop amenities, freshly ground espresso, organic teas, olive oil, salt and pepper and a starter pack of firewood for cooler evenings.
Airbnb Host Awards judge Sarah Huang praised the design as a masterclass in rugged luxury, noting that the absence of plasterboard, immersive gardens and the flow between architecture and landscape contribute to a meditative, outdoor-centric living experience. “This is a masterclass in 'rugged luxury,'” Huang said, adding that the minimal yet luxurious approach is well-suited for rest and retreat.
Winners are chosen through a blend of Airbnb data, guest reviews and a judging panel that includes Country Manager Susan Wheeldon. “Our local Aussie hosts are shaping the future of travel by creating spaces that reflect local culture, foster genuine connection and support their communities,” Wheeldon said. The Host Awards also underscore Airbnb’s broader economic footprint: in 2024, the platform’s spending in Australia reached an estimated $20.3 billion, with domestic travelers driving 84 percent of stays and contributing about $16 billion to local businesses.
Banksia House is listed at about $800 per night for a two-bedroom, four-guest stay, illustrating how design-forward, nature-integrated stays are becoming a draw for travelers seeking rest, privacy and a sense of place along the Sunshine Coast.