Most Unique Places You Can Rent With Airbnb
Airbnb changed how we travel. Instead of looking for hotels, it’s now possible to rent someone’s home for less money, and get a more personal, relaxed experience. You could go for a traditional apartment or house, but why not try something completely unique and even strange? Here are some of the most unusual rentals that are available (or used to be) on Airbnb:
An igloo
In Finland, if you stay at Lucky Ranch, you get to sleep in an igloo for around $100 a night! You get a double bed with two sleeping bags. If it’s too cold for you, the hosts provide indoor accommodations complete with fireplace and shared sauna. In 2016, a man advertised a “Boutique Winter Igloo for 2” on Airbnb, which he built during the big snowstorm. Airbnb took the ad down, though it did compliment the creator’s construction.
A “bubble” room
These “bubble rooms” in Wadi Rum, Jordan, are part of the Full of Stars Hotel. Each bubble tent boasts a bathroom with a shower and king-sized bed. The translucent ceiling and walls give visitors a once-in-a-lifetime view of the stars. The hotel offers three other accommodations – the king luxury tent, twin luxury tent, and triple luxury. Activities include camel rides, jeep adventures, and a “nomad visit.”
A castle
If money isn’t an issue for you, sleep like a king in one of Ireland’s castles. Wilton Castle in the Bree neighborhood has seven bedrooms and was built in the 19th-century. You get access to a kitchen, too, as well as an indoor fireplace. It will set you back you over $1,000 per night, so bring 13 of your friends and split the cost. For a smaller castle, check out the much more affordable Irish dwelling known as “Peter’s Castle.” Built in the 14th-century, it was renovated by the host and boasts a perfect 5-star rating with over 800 review. For less than $200 a night, you’ll get access to the master bedroom, private-half bath, living room, and kitchen. Guests are especially fond of Peter and Eva, the hosts, who know everything about the castle’s history.
A tree house
If you’re in Kentucky in the Red River Gorge area, why stay at a normal hotel when you can stay in a tree house? Known as the “Flying-Squirrel-Tree-House,” you get the chance to be really alone in the forest, without being too far from civilization. It’s only a 10-minute walk up the trail to the house that has a pull-out soft that sleeps two. For those wanting a less rustic experience, you can stay at a tree house at the base of Mount Hood in Oregon, which is suspended between three trees and has a gas heater, microwave, mini-fridge, two twins, a queen-size bed, and more! The hosts own the 20 acres of land, which also has activities like swimming, hiking, and a zipline. It is $150 a night compared to the Flying Squirrel’s $77.
A hammock
Keeping with the forest theme, a Park Hills Airbnb calls itself the first “hammpground.” You rent a covered hammock for $39 a night, and get free wood, breakfast, and marshmallows from your hosts. If you’re in Rio San Juan, a two-person hammock on the beach is just $12. The listing on Airbnb was posted by “Roy,” who seems to act as sort of a liaison between guests and the actual host.
An island
For about $500 a night, you can rent a private island. Yes, it’s true. Located in Belize and with room for four, your $500 pays for a night on the island as well as transport to and from. Known as “Bird Island,” it’s one of the most recognizable Airbnb listings. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. There’s nothing wrong with just relaxing, either, and gazing at the gorgeous water.
Some advice on Airbnb
For all different types of travelers, Airbnb provides rental properties throughout the globe. Due to the enormous range of styles, price points, locations, and other factors, visitors are drawn to the platform and other websites offering holiday rentals.
Additionally, short-term rentals are likely to become more common than ever as we move closer to a “new normal” in the weeks and months following the coronavirus epidemic. After all, vacationers can reserve a private residence with a kitchen and a pool, doing away with the need to eat at a restaurant, wait in line at the front desk, or compete for a small stretch of busy beachfront.
When it’s safe for you to travel once more, keep that in mind and utilize these suggestions to choose the best Airbnb for your upcoming vacation.
For the majority of circumstances, this is basically standard travel advice, but it is especially relevant for Airbnb stays. In contrast to hotels, which may have hundreds of identical rooms, Airbnb listings are typically unique, so the finest ones tend to sell out well in advance.
The hosts control how far in advance they take reservations and can announce availability several years in advance. However, the majority only permit reservations between six and a year in advance.
Compare various homes in your price range
Rent on Airbnb might be either expensive or incredibly cheap. Rates can differ greatly because they are set by the host. As a result, you’ll probably find homes that share a similar appearance yet are priced very differently.
To get the best value for your money, make sure to compare various listings by carefully reviewing images, reading reviews, and comparing all-in expenses within your budget. Keep in mind that rental costs do not always correlate to property quality.
Search for fresh postings
You should wait to make a reservation and keep an eye out for new listings if you missed the window to book far in advance but still have some time before your trip.
New listings are constantly being added, and they are identified by the word “new”. You’ll have a good chance of discovering a listing that meets your demands if you keep an eye out for ads over the course of a few weeks. Owners occasionally even provide discounts on recently listed houses. As an illustration, Summer Hull, the director of travel content at TPG, received a 20% discount for being one of the first three vacationers to reserve a recently listed beach property. After the initial three reservations were made, the going nightly rate went up.
Of course, there is a risk with this strategy: Travelers evaluating new homes won’t have access to old ratings, and properties will fill up much more quickly than new ones will surface. If your travel dates are drawing near, you might wish to reserve any accommodations you can, especially if you’re going during a popular time of year.