The Lord of the Rings' Hobbiton set in New Zealand will be hitting the Airbnb market to accommodate a handful of lucky guests. Based on the beloved fantasy novels by author J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson's acclaimed movie trilogy chronicles Frodo's (Elijah Wood) attempts to destroy the One Ring with the help of some trusty companions. Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films remain beloved to this day due in large part to the filmmaker's depiction of Middle-earth, a vast and mysterious land filled with natural wonders, dangerous creatures, and a healthy dose of magic.
Now, for fans of Jackson's The Lord of the Rings who are interested in truly immersing themselves in Hobbit life for a select few nights, the trilogy's actual Hobbiton set is opening as an Airbnb next year. The set, which was also used during the filming of Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy, is in Matamata, Waikato, New Zealand, with the listing promising full access to all 44 Hobbit Holes in addition to a feast at The Green Dragon Inn, Second Breakfast, Elevenses, and a private tour. While a two-night stay will only cost $6 USD, competition to secure a booking will likely be fierce, with the only dates available being March 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18.
Lord Of The Rings' New Zealand Connection Explained
Jackson, who was born in New Zealand, created Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings entirely in his home country. All three movies were filmed back-to-back in various regions of New Zealand, using the country's dramatic landscape to capture the cozy atmosphere of The Shire, the dramatic plains of Rohan, and the foreboding, rocky terrain of Mordor. Not only did Jackson use New Zealand as a backdrop for the epic fantasy adventure, but he also used local crew members to create sets like Hobbiton and Rivendell, props such as thousands of pieces of arms and armor, and visual effects sequences.
While The Lord of the Rings movies remain some of the most beloved fantasy projects ever put to the screen, Jackson's follow-up journey to Middle-earth proved much more divisive. The first installment in The Hobbit trilogy was released in 2012, serving as a prequel explaining how Bilbo (Martin Freeman) came upon the One Ring. The first movie, in particular, brought Hobbiton and the Shire to life much like in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, even using the same New Zealand set, but Jackson's new trilogy was also more heavily criticized for featuring an over-abundance of CGI.
Even though Prime Video's new fantasy show, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, has little in common with either of Jackson's trilogies, season 1 was also filmed in New Zealand. It's unlikely that Jackson will return to the world of Middle-earth again, but the filmmaker's take on The Lord of the Rings is still considered the epitome of fantasy storytelling to this day. While only a handful of lucky guests will get to experience the Hobbiton Airbnb, it will undoubtedly be a truly unique and immersive experience.
Source: Airbnb