How One Traveler Built a Global Coffee Map While Living in Airbnb Homes

Most people dream of finding the perfect hotel. But what if your ideal ‘home’ changes every few weeks — and comes with a new landlord, local coffee scene, and unexpected conversations over breakfast? For one young traveler, that became her reality: 365 days a year in Airbnbs, each with its own coffee ritual and hidden gem.

Over three years, she visited 300+ coffee shops in 16 countries, logging their logos and stories onto a single recycled cardboard map — now a dense collage of global café culture.

Why This Traveler Ditched Hotels for Airbnbs

At just 25, Zheng Chenyu has lived in 16 countries — but never in a hotel. Raised in the U.S. since high school, she craved the warmth of ‘real’ homes over standardized hotel rooms. ‘In a strange city, being treated like family makes sleep easier,’ she says. Her solution: live year-round in Airbnbs, mostly between her bases in Los Angeles and New York.

Her typical day? Waking up to a landlord’s homemade coffee (‘the aroma alone feels like home’), chatting with hosts about local secrets, or exploring cities with insider guidance. In Zurich, a landlord gifted her a deck of cards featuring local landmarks. In Chicago, a delayed flight led to a late-night welcome SMS from Sara, who left juice, water, and breakfast waiting outside a keypad-locked door. In California, she joined 50-something blonde landlord Jerry for seaside stories of filming documentaries in Cuba, the sound of waves mixing with her smoky, storytelling voice.

Even pets became part of the experience — like the curious animals wandering her Airbnb living rooms. ‘These moments turn a rental into a memory,’ she notes.

The Coffee Map: 300+ Logos, One Recycled Board

Around three years ago, Zheng launched her ‘coffee love project’: documenting cafés worldwide. Starting from her New York neighborhood’s vibrant coffee scene, she expanded across Hong Kong, the U.S., Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Her tool? A hand-drawn map crafted from reclaimed cardboard, now covered with 300+ coffee shop logos, packaging scraps, business cards, photos, and traveler notes.

Each logo required conversation. When she unveiled her map to baristas, many initially busy, would later open up about coffee, art, and life. ‘It’s about shared passion,’ she says. One breakthrough came in San Francisco: café owner Preston, an introvert, studied her map for 20 seconds before lifting his glasses and saying ‘thank you.’ On closer look, he’d spotted cafés he once co-owned. ‘He saw his own history in my collection,’ Zheng recalls.

The project wasn’t always smooth. Some baristas were too rushed to engage; others needed convincing. But the map grew — a tactile diary of global café culture, layered with stories and scents.

How to Find (and Live Well In) the Right Airbnb

Living in 365 different homes isn’t effortless. Zheng relies on Airbnb, applying a strict selection process:

• Hosts with shared interests (for easier bonding);
• Locations near transit or attractions, aligned with her travel goals;
• Background checks on neighborhood safety (e.g. crime rates, homelessness risks);
• Reading host reviews — and their replies — carefully;
• Respecting hosts by proactively communicating, exchanging contacts early, and aiming for mutual positive ratings.

She admits the logistics can be stressful, especially during busy work periods. ‘Sometimes I question if it’s worth it,’ she says. ‘But then I meet a fascinating host, hear their story, and realize every challenge was worth it.’

Frequently Asked Questions

How many coffee shop logos did Zheng Chenyu collect for her map?

Zheng Chenyu collected logos from over 300 coffee shops worldwide, including business cards, packaging, photos, and handwritten notes, all displayed on a single recycled cardboard map.

What inspired her to start the ‘coffee love project’?

Living in New York’s East Village, surrounded by diverse cafés, ignited her passion. She was drawn to how each logo and packaging reflected the owner’s personality and local culture, fueling her ‘collecting’ habit.

Did she face challenges while gathering café logos?

Yes. Some baristas were too busy to talk, and others needed time to warm up. But as conversations turned to coffee and art, many opened up, leading to memorable exchanges.

How does she choose safe and suitable Airbnb listings?

She prioritizes hosts with shared interests, checks neighborhood safety (like crime rates), reads reviews carefully, and communicates proactively with hosts to ensure a smooth stay.

What’s the biggest reward of living in Airbnbs instead of hotels?

The human connection: waking up to homemade coffee, chatting with hosts, and experiencing cities through local eyes — turning each stay into a unique story.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Global Coffee Explorers

For travelers inspired by Zheng Chenyu’s coffee adventures, FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera offers bright citrus and floral notes, perfect for bright mornings in coastal cities. Their Yirgacheffe delivers juicy berry and stone fruit flavors, ideal for pairing with local pastries. For a deeper dive, try the PWN Golden Mandheling with its sweet caramel and spicy undertones — great for cooler Airbnb evenings. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.