On May 5, Mattel and Vrbo welcomed press to the Hollywood Hills for an early preview of their new UNO x Vrbo collaboration, a limited-time travel experience transforming vacation rentals into immersive game night destinations inspired by the iconic card game.
Hosted at a hillside property tucked above Los Angeles’ Los Feliz neighborhood, the preview offered a first look at one of the campaign’s flagship “Wild Card” stays, an elevated, UNO-themed escape designed around connection, competition, and nostalgia. The activation officially launches this summer through a partnership between Mattel and Vrbo, with six themed getaways available nationwide for just $4 per night. The Los Angeles property leaned fully into the playful energy of UNO without sacrificing the luxury feel of a modern Hollywood Hills retreat. Bright pops of the game’s signature red, blue, green, and yellow color palette were integrated throughout the home, from custom décor and branded details to curated game-night setups spread across the living spaces.
Inside, guests moved through expansive entertainment areas overlooking sweeping views of Los Angeles, while themed UNO installations and oversized game elements reinforced the partnership’s focus on bringing people together offline. The experience felt intentionally designed around group interaction, something both brands repeatedly emphasized throughout the launch. According to UNO and Vrbo, the collaboration was built around the idea that game nights remain one of the simplest ways for families and friends to reconnect while traveling. Katie Buford, Vice President and Global Head of Mattel Games, described UNO as “a spark that brings people together,” while Vrbo Vice President of Marketing Helen Melluish emphasized the brand’s continued focus on creating meaningful shared experiences through travel.
The Hollywood Hills home is one of two premium “Wild Card” stays included in the campaign. Available from May 29 through June 1, the Los Angeles property includes themed décor, a curated UNO game-night experience, and an in-home dining component. A second “Wild Card” property will launch in Texas Hill Country near Austin later this summer. In addition to the premium experiences, four additional “Play It Your Way” stays will roll out across destinations including Winter Park, Palm Desert, Panama City Beach, and Atlanta. Those homes will include an UNO x Vrbo Welcome Kit alongside game-friendly amenities like pools, hot tubs, and entertainment spaces tailored toward group travel.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Mattel
The campaign continues Mattel’s growing push into experiential brand partnerships following its larger collaboration with Expedia Group earlier this year. Rather than simply attaching branding to existing travel experiences, the UNO x Vrbo rollout attempts to fully integrate the spirit of the game into the design and functionality of each property. For fans of the classic card game, the concept taps directly into the nostalgia and chaos that have made UNO a staple of family vacations, late-night gatherings, and competitive friend groups for decades. For one afternoon in the Hollywood Hills, the preview succeeded in turning that familiar energy into something tangible, colorful, and surprisingly immersive.
