A waterfront Ocean Springs bungalow is the most wish-listed Airbnb in MS. See inside. (2025)

A strikingly orange home perched on high stilts overlooking the Gulf of Mexico was ranked the most wish-listed vacation rental in Mississippi.

Last month, Airbnb compiled a list of the most desired listings in the U.S., based on internal data of guest searches. The data revealed that as some vacationers are interested in properties in private, forested areas — like a triangular cabin in Many, Louisiana, and a treehouse outside of Dallas — others are hoping to resort to a waterfront getaway as summer approaches.

Nestled in the Belle Fontaine neighborhood, the Ocean Springs property spans 1,708 square feet with three bedrooms, five beds and two baths, according to the listing. Most of the interior adheres to contemporary designs, with white walls and a glowing neon sign that reads "The Ocean Springs House" in gold cursive above the couch.

A home base for outdoor activities, the rental features a fire pit besieged by lounge chairs and string lights, as well as kayaks and a private hot tub that sits on a balcony. Near the fire pit are soft white sands, separating the Gulf waters from acres of grassland.

But the property's ranking as the most wish-listed rental is understable for reasons beyond its serene nature — it's settled in an artistic hub known for its ever-growing dining scene, art, and boutique shopping.

Ocean Springs was once voted one of America's happiest seaside towns by Southern Living's readers, largely in part of its waterfront views, live oaks and bustling downtown. And just outside of it is Biloxi, an area that attracts thousands every year with its casinos and beaches.

Though it reigns as one of the oldest cities in Mississippi, Ocean Springs is home to a mix of historic and contemporary institutions. The downtown area is filled with restaurants, including Vestige — a James Beard award finalist that specializes in Japanese-inspired cuisine — and Tatonut Donut Shop, a bakery that has been using potato flour as its "secret" ingredient since 1960.

For decades, Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis and Biloxi alike have attracted an influx of New Orleanians who want a temporary escape from a more chaotic city life. But on a national level, there has been an increase in nearby summer getaways and spontaneous travel.

The rise comes at a time when scheduling a trip is nearly effortless, thanks to remote work driven by the pandemic and easily accessible websites for booking vacation rentals and plane flights.

About 25% of guest searches were for trips within 50 to 300 miles, according to Airbnb in the list of most-wished rentals. Another travel-related company, American Express, said in its 2024 Global Travel Trends Report that 78% of respondents found spontaneous trips appealing and 44% favored spontaneity over planning while traveling.