wishlist destinations

Secluded Texas treehouse is the most 'wishlisted' Airbnb property

The Air Castle Treehouse is about five hours from Houston.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Short term rental platform Airbnb has revealed its most wishlisted properties in the U.S., and an incredibly unusual North Texas treehouse has made the cut.

The collection of highly sought after properties comes in anticipation for the summer travel season, where Airbnb says spontaneous and last-minute trips have only become more popular since 2022. The majority of the listings share one commonality: providing one-of-a-kind experiences.

"For those seeking a nearby getaway this spring or summer, they can find one-of-a-kind experiences in their own backyards by exploring some of the most wishlisted listings across the 50 states," Airbnb said in a release. "The list showcases the diversity of preferences across the country, with stays that are perfect for every group, from family road trips to solo retreats."

The "Air Castle Treehouse" in Ladonia, Texas was unveiled as the most sought after Texas listing. The property is located about 300 miles north of Houston, hidden among thick trees and surrounded by natural wildlife.

Many children dream about living in a treehouse, and now travelers can appease their inner child when they explore the home. The treehouse was built using four shipping containers, and can accommodate up to four guests across two bedrooms and one bathroom.

Ladonia Air Castle Treehouse Airbnb The home was created using four shipping containers.Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Guests can relax on any of the five balconies that boast breathtaking views of nature, including an abundance of wild animals. An exterior spiral staircase leads to the highest balcony of the home where visitors can set their sights on deer, wild hogs, armadillos, rabbits, bobcats, owls, red-tailed hawks, and much more.

"The treehouse itself was beautifully designed, combining farmhouse rustic charm with modern amenities," a reviewer wrote. "It had cozy furnishings, a well-equipped kitchen, and comfortable beds. We enjoyed the large windows that let natural light flood in and allowed us to watch the squirrels, raccoons, possums, and birds feed from the hanging bird feeders."

The third floor of the home contains a hot tub for the ultimate relaxation time, while the sixth floor shaded crows nest has a hammock to swing in that's 40 feet off the ground.

Rates for the Air Castle Treehouse begin at $281 for a two-night stay in April, making it an ideal place for a romantic getaway or a fun summer trip.

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8 miles high

Houston chef's menu takes off on United's premium business class offering

Courtesy of United

Justin Yu, far left, is one of 11 participating chefs.

United Airlines has shared more details about its new partnership with Chef’s Table, the acclaimed Netflix documentary series, including the menus created by the 11 participating chefs for travelers flying its premium Polaris business class seating.

For flights departing from Houston, United and Chef’s Table recruited Justin Yu, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind Theodore Rex, a fine dining restaurant in downtown that holds a Bib Gourmand designation in the Michelin Guide. In addition, Yu and his business partner Bobby Heugel own Houston hospitality group Thorough Fare, which operates bars and restaurants including Anvil, Better Luck Tomorrow, Squable, Donna’s, and a new, still-unnamed restaurant in Montrose that’s slated to open later this year.

Beginning August 1, people departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport will be able to dine on Yu’s three-course menu that consists of:

Appetizer: Deviled eggs with white soy, aged cheddar, and chives
Salad: Chicory salad with spiced bacon, chickpeas, cucumber, onion, and oregano mustard vinaigrette
Entrée: Braised Texas short rib with ragout of mushrooms, red miso, and black eyed peas

“I wanted that slightly Texan touch,” Yu told CultureMap in March. “To me, the Houston part of it is the most important. There’s such a level of diversity. Introducing light touches of that to the meal was something I considered.”

Other participating chefs include Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles), whose menu includes an appetizer of burrata with braised leeks, shaved Brussels sprouts salad, and beef brasato with garlic mashed potatoes; Jenner Tomaska (Esmé, Petite Edith, and The Alston in Chicago), who has created a braised leeks appetizer, an arugula salad, and halibut with sauce matelote; Tomos Parry (Mountain and Brat in London), whose menu includes an appetizer of grilled beef filet, lobster salad with grilled peach, and slow-roasted lamb with smoked potatoes.

Chefs representing United’s destinations in Newark, Denver, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., São Paulo, and Tokyo are also participating. The menus will be available through September 2026. They’ll be updated with new seasonal items beginning in October. Customers may opt for the Chef's Table meals beginning five days and up to 24 hours prior to departure.

"At its core, this collaboration with Chef's Table is rooted in a shared ambition to redefine what inflight dining can be," said Aaron McMillan, United's Managing Director of Hospitality Programs, in a statement. "Because our leading global network reaches into the world's greatest food cities, we're able to work hand-in-hand with world-class chefs and translate their points of view into dishes intentionally designed for the realities of travel and inspired by destinations we serve."

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