Castles, Cubes and Clock Towers: Airbnb's Top 19 Vacation Spots
A recent Airbnb report showed that the company has grown 353x in only five years. And after seeing Airbnb's list of its top 19 properties around the world, it's easy to see why the hospitality industry's feeling the heat. From castles to historic buildings to a one-square-meter box (no, seriously), Airbnb gives you unique experiences on the cheap.
Where: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Unique Amenities: A top-floor room with a 360 degree view of the city is only minutes away from one of the largest markets in the Netherlands and a train station (which can take you to Amsterdam).
Price: $156/night
Where: Tokyo
Unique Amenities: An example of the Japanese Metabolism movement of postwar Japan, the Nakagin Capsule Tower was designed by Kisho Kurokawa in 1972. The building is a quick walk to the famous Ginza and Tsukiji Fish market. Unfortunately, the old building's in-room showers don't work, but that means you can go to the nearby public bath. Nothing encourages cultural exposure like poor plumbing!
Price: $77/night
Where: Twentynine Palms, CA
Unique Amenities: With two bedrooms, a hot tub, gorgeous views (the house is seven miles from the nearest town) and a gated courtyard with a fire pit, the entire house is covered inside and out by Mexican tile, stained glass and handmade ceramics. Visitors are a quick drive to Joshua Tree National Park, but they'll have to remember to keep their shoes on at all times; there are broken tiles in the sand.
Price: $175/night
Where: Laugarvatn, Iceland
Unique Amenities: Built in 2010, the cottage sits on an old-lava field and in the middle of Iceland's Golden Circle Route (a 300 kilometer tourist route that includes Reykjavik). The cabin features two bedrooms (with room for more), a children's playground, and even wild blueberries and crow berries in the surrounding bushes, and is only two minutes away from a service center that includes a small grocery store, a pool, a restaurant, a camping ground, mini-golf, a 9-hole golf course, horseback riding and more.
Price: $220/night
Where: Palm Springs, CA
Unique Amenities: This Old Movie Colony hacienda, built in 1934, was once owned by Bing Crosby. Recently restored, the 3.2k SF home keeps many of the luxury design choices, including vaulted ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace and tiled floors. You'll also have a massive pool area and a private cantina, complete with a full wet bar, an ice maker, and several citrus trees (orange, lemon and grapefruit). Three of the home's four bedrooms have private doors that lead to the heated pool. There's also a screening room with a 8' x 15' screen, seating for nine, a 2K projector with surround sound and Blu-ray, Apple TV, and the complete Criterion Collection of classic films.
Price: $675/night
Where: London
Unique Amenities: The 10-meter-high room in the Sir George Gilbert Scott-designed clock tower provides a view of several of London’s landmarks, including Kings Cross Station and St. Paul’s Cathedral, and is within walking distance of many other sights. Located in an apartment within an apartment, the room features a bedroom with a double bed and an en suite bathroom, kitchen sofa, table and TV. The area surrounding the building is being gentrified and renovated, meaning that it’s only going to get nicer every time you go.
Price: $238/night
Where: Berlin
Unique Amenities: Well…give them points for creativity. The project—initiated by Le-Mentzel in cooperation with BMW Guggenheim LAB, Airbnb and Eastseven Hostel—has created the smallest house in the world. Don’t worry, the house is waterproof, has a lockable door, a mattress (you'll have to turn the house sideways and bring your own sleeping bag), and a small desk and chair for your computer. And the low price allows access to the kitchen and showers at the Eastseven Hostel and WiFi at the BMW Guggenheim Lab. With its tiny wheels, you can bring the 4o-kilogram house to any part of Berlin, as it can fit through doors, elevators and even on the Berlin Metro (although that last one would be very inconsiderate). The house is so exclusive that potential visitors will have to apply on the house’s Facebook page or to the house's owner, writing, "I need the ONE SQM HOUSE because..."
Price: 1 Euro/Night
Where: Fife, UK
Unique Amenities: Located 15 minutes from St. Andrews and an hour away from Edinburgh, Dairsie Castle holds up to 13 people. The 12th century castle has seen secret Scottish Parliaments, military sieges and escapee monarchs (James VI and I in 1583). After being ruined in the 19th century, the castle was rebuilt in 1992, keeping its medieval charm. The castle now has six bedrooms in various locations in the castle, including the dungeon, the towers, the cap houses and a massive master bedroom. The Great Hall has a massive table for 12, artwork, sculptures and two large sofas around a fireplace. It even has a gallery full of artwork and antiquities, six acres of grounds (with police supervision) and an open garage that can house up to eight cars.
Price: $1,189/night
Where: Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Unique Amenities: Designed by architect Eduardo Ocampo for his famous artist brother, Octavio, the house’s unique look has led to the creation of its own island legends. If the odd design doesn’t appeal to you, maybe the smaller shell’s king-size bed and of tile and seashell shower will. Or, if you choose the larger shell, you can have a kitchenette, a rounded staircase, and a balcony overlooking the pool and the Caribbean Sea. You’ll also get a golf cart and the chance to hang out with the tiny geckos that live all over the property.
Price: $249/night
Where: Portici, Campania, Italy
Unique Amenities: The Vesuviana Villa was built in 1700 and has three bedrooms (which can be adapted for your needs), a large garden, antique furniture and even a roof solarium. With close access to major public transport, the B&B is the perfect spot for trips to Pompeii, Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Ischia, Campi Flegrei and the archaeological site of Herculaneum.
Price: $69/night
Where: Paris
Unique Amenities: The 11-square-meter private studio on a 100-year-old houseboat rests right next to the Eiffel Tower. The boat features three rooms, including the owner’s room and another flat. You’ll get a private entrance, a bathroom (with a bathtub and shower with panoramic view) and deck with table and chairs. The rooms also feature beds for two, sofas, chairs, tables, Nespresso, TVs, WiFI, iPod stations, breakfast equipment and fridges. Of course, you’ll have easy access to all of Paris’ monuments.
Price: $139/night
Where: Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Unique Amenities: Originally a container module, the unique house now allows for a ton of natural light. Only 10 minutes from the historic center of Palma, the house features every amenity you’ll need, including high-speed Internet, a terrace with a swimming pool and space for barbecue, and even two free bicycles. And, with close proximity to Palma’s public transit, restaurants and cinemas, you’ll have easy access to whatever you want.
Price: $127/night
Where: Paiguano, Coquimbo, Columbia
Unique Amenities: As one of seven astronomic hotels in the world (and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere), the Elqui Domos is certainly a unique experience. With high beds and a detachable roof under each of the property’s seven domes, it’s a stargazer’s delight. Each dome also has a terrace, a fridge bar, free tea and coffee, and astronomic literature. You can even hire someone to give you a tour of the skies or a nighttime horse ride.
Price: $190/night
Where: Styra, Greece
Unique Amenities: Ever wanted to live like Odysseus without all of the cyclops blinding and decades at sea? Well this is the place for you! (If you do want that stuff, I can hook you up with a guy.) The six-building, five-bedroom complex features a large terrace with views of the Aegean, two al fresco dining areas, a stone barbecue, a traditional Greek bread oven, tennis and basketball courts, an outdoor bed, a Turkish steam room and sauna, and a seawater swimming pool. Each building has its own amenities, but privacy and luxury are guaranteed. It even has cooking, cleaning and chauffer services. The chauffeurs can take you to the beach or to the ancient towns that surround the site. This is Greece, after all. The property also has an additional renovated barn space that can hold another eight to 10 people.
Price: $578/night
Where: Atlanta, CA
Unique Amenities: Capable of housing four to six guests, the treehouse is a steel structure in the middle of a forest of mature hardwood trees. With high ceilings, big spaces and natural light, the two-level space has four outdoor terraces, two bedrooms and bathrooms, and can be combined to form one cohesive unit (which you should probably do, since the kitchen is only on the bottom floor). The space can also host private events.
Price: $500/night
Where: Pioneertown, CA
Unique Amenities: One of Dwell and the Los Angeles Times “Best Homes in America” and one of 10 IT Houses in California, the Off-grid itHouse is powered by solar panels, which is easy since it's in the picturesque desert valley. The house has a small carbon footprint and interacts little with the surrounding landscape and uses renewable resources, allowing you to vacation with a clear (pun very intended) conscience. Like the Tile House, the itHouse is a secluded space with amazing views in all directions and is close to Joshua Tree National Park. The house even receives fresh pressed juice delivered daily. There’s no TV and WiFi, however, so you better be writing a novel or really want to be green if you want to stay here.
Price: $380/night
Where: Aptos, CA
Unique Amenities: The mushroom dome is surrounded by 10 acres of fenceless land that you can enjoy and features a geodesic dome, a well-stocked mini kitchenette, a futon bed, free WiFi, a 24” flat screen with a DVD player, and a large movie collection. The gardens and permaculture farm surrounding the dome are full of hummingbirds, goats, chickens, cats, miniature dogs and other animals, and you can bring your own dog too. The dome is also a seven-minute drive to the beach. On the negative(?) side, the dome is so highly requested that it is required that you stay there for at least two days on weekends. We’re not sure how you’ll be able to deal with this crime against humanity, but we have faith in you.
Price: $110/night
Where: Two Rivers, WI
Unique Amenities: Frank Lloyd Wright’s four-bedroom, 2.5-bath LIFE Magazine Dream house is in Two Rivers, a historic fishing town that is quintessential small town America. With a 120-year-old department store and 1939 architecture, the Schwartz House and Two Rivers offers a slice of historic Americana. The house also has two fireplaces and DVDs (about Frank Lloyd Wright, naturally), and can house up to eight people. You’ll also have a large yard for barbecues and tossing around a football, games and books for rainy days, and a private dock for fishing. Your stay will be so American that it'll be used in the next Wrangler Jeans commercial.
Price: $395/night
Where: Kirkby Stephen, UK
Unique Amenities: The castle is not as ancient as it claims: it was built in 1841 as a Victorian gentlemen’s getaway and now operates as a B&B. With 15 acres of rural English grounds, the 15-bedroom castle can hold up to 30 adults and 10 children. Both breakfast and evening meals can be provided, the latter for a cost, and if you’re feeling cocky, you and your 30 friends can have exclusive use of the castle for £6,300 per night.
Price: $151/night, but £6,300/night for exclusive use
