Jersey Shore is offering a unique stay in its iconic Lucy the Elephant, in an attempt to boost its visitor numbers.
Starting on St Patrick’s Day, couples will be able to book a night in the six-story hollow elephant on Airbnb for $138 a night.
The price is meant to reflect the same number of years the elephant has stood on the waterfront. It also includes breakfast, and a voucher for a dinner at a nearby restaurant.
In a statement, Airbnb said: ‘Guests will be transported back in time with a stay inside Lucy the Elephant, one of the last standing pieces of roadside Americana.’
The publicity stunt, which is supported by the ‘non-profit Save Lucy Committee’, will see guests stay overnight in the elephant for the first time since 1902 when a family of six reportedly rented it as their home for a year.
‘The people staying in Lucy are going to become part of Lucy’s history, which is an amazing thing,’ Save Lucy Committee Executive Director Richard Helfant told NJ Advance Media.
The six-story Lucy the Elephant will be listed for rent for three nights only in March on Airbnb for $138 a night
Lucy, which had its second floor removed and has no running water, will cost $138 a night, a number that matches its age
Airbnb redecorated Lucy with Victorian furnishings. It also donated an undisclosed amount of money to Helfant’s Save Lucy
Helfant has offered tours of Lucy during summers and on weekends in the off-season. He told the NY Times that about 132,000 visitors each year pay to enter in her left hind foot, before climbing the narrow staircase into her belly.
Further up the stairs, is the ornate ‘howdah’ which sits atop the 65-elephant, offering views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic City skyline.
Helfant said with the promotional stunt, Airbnb wanted to use a unique location to promote its site. In exchange, Helfant will get to use Airbnb’s huge online reach to draw more paying visitors to the monument.
He added that the publicity could lead to a bump in visitors, which could help pay Lucy’s hefty insurance and upkeep bills.
To prepare for the event, Airbnb redecorated Lucy with Victorian furnishings. It also donated an undisclosed amount of money to Helfant’s Save Lucy.
Airbnb will provide a bathroom trailer, equipped with a shower, sink and toilet, to compensate for Lucy’s lack of running water.
Lucy occupants will also get a gift bag and other goods from the area.
In preparation of the event, Airbnb renovated Lucy’s interior with Victorian-style furniture once decorated the elephant
The interior is meant to resemble Lucy’s decor from early 1900, when it hosted a British family of six who visited the monument
About 132,000 visitors each year pay to enter in her left hind foot, before climbing the narrow staircase into her belly
To prepare for the event, Airbnb redecorated Lucy with Victorian furnishings – but there is no running water
A plush lounge has been set up in Lucy’s belly where overnight guests will be able to relax
The ornate ‘howdah’ which sits atop the 65-elephant, offering views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic City skyline
Overnight guests will be able to stay in Lucy for just three nights, but Helfant said he’s considering extending the rental period
Hollywood has always recognized Lucy’s monumental importance. The elephant has appeared in films like the The King of Marvin Gardens and National Lampoon’s Vacation, as well as shows such as Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Boardwalk Empire.
Helfant said he’s considering extending the rental period beyond three days. Helfant said anything’s possible.
He told the New York Times, ‘When you work for a 90-ton, 138-year-old elephant, nothing is off the table.’