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Each of the 10 most-liked homes on Airbnb’s Instagram in 2021 is unique.
No. 9 is the Mineral Boutique IV Cabin, a double-height, timber-clad cabin in Mineral del Chico, Hidalgo, Mexico. No. 5, the Woodlands House, sits on five acres of private forest in Sandy, Oregon. And No. 2 is in a tree — the Raven Rock Treehouse in Fletcher, North Carolina.
But the No. 1 most-liked home in 2021? The Zion EcoCabin in Hildale, Utah.
This elevated A-frame cabin is entirely open on one side so visitors can more fully appreciate the view of nearby Zion National Park.
As of Aug. 28, 2021, Airbnb’s post about the Zion EcoCabin had over 61,000 likes, well above No. 2′s 39,000-plus likes earlier in the year.
Zion EcoCabin owner and Hildale resident Mindy Rae Barlow said taking the No. 1 spot on Airbnb’s list is motivating and “puts the pressure on.”
“As a host, I want to make sure that guests get the luxury experience that I strive to offer,” she said.
An authentic outdoor experience
Barlow said an EcoCabin provides an “authentic outdoor experience” while preserving the natural landscape.
For instance, the Zion EcoCabin is constructed on columns to have minimal impact on hillside vegetation, she said. The building crew reused wood and tin from prior projects. And the hot tub is an EcoSpa, which claims to be the most energy efficient in its class.
Barlow and her husband have made a business out of building and running EcoCabins in the area.
She and her husband got their start in 2017, she said, when they sold their home and moved in with his parents just so they could purchase property from a friend.
From there, her husband’s basketball coach gave them a small loan to build the first EcoCabin in May 2018, she said.
“I wanted to provide a unique accommodation that gives travelers the opportunity to experience the incredible outdoors, while also giving the comfort of a luxury king size bed,” Barlow said.
That first EcoCabin paid for itself within a year, she said, and the profits went towards building the next EcoCabin, then the next one. And between late 2020 and July 2021, they finally built their “most beautiful, ambitious” project: the Zion EcoCabin.
It has hosted just over 100 guests since opening for reservations in July 2021, Barlow said. Airbnb shows it goes for $645 a night.
It has also only recently become difficult to book. Dates become available one year in advance, so Barlow recommended that potential visitors keep an eye out for 2023 openings and check out the other cabins she and her husband offer.
“They have the same design, and the view is incredible,” she said.
She thinks the Zion A-Frame has the best view, however, and is what has made the location so popular.
“It gives that Zion feel. It borders public lands that will never be developed,” Barlow said. “You might even see hikers or horse-back riders on the small path that goes up through the valley.”
Some of her favorite local spots are Maxwell Park, the Water Canyon Trail and the North Reservoir.
The Water Canyon Trail, in particular, “gives Narrows vibes, it’s pet friendly and it’s easy to get to.”
Creating lifetime memories
Barlow and her husband have big plans for the future. She currently is working on a master’s degree in marketing to further her business skills, she said, and hopes to be an “industry standard” in the future — “someone who others can turn to.”
They also are exploring the idea of offering ATV tours and ultra-luxury upgrade packages that would include perks like a personal chef and a private yoga instructor.
Ultimately, Barlow said, she strives to be the best host she can be.
“The goal is to let travelers create memories that will last a lifetime,” she said.
Editor’s note • 150 Things To Do is a reporting project and weekly newsletter made possible by the generous support of the Utah Office of Tourism. Sign up for the 150 Things newsletter here.
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