These one-of-a-kind rentals have captured the imagination of travelers around the world.
They are Airbnb’s eight most wish-listed “homes of all time” worldwide.
The list includes a “magical” tree house in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, a luxurious cave apartment in Crete and a magnificent 15th-century castle in western Ireland.
Airbnb announces that total revenue for “Unique Stays” exceeded regular listings in 2021, with unique listings on the platform bringing in nearly $1 billion (£820 million) globally.
It also notes that between 2019 and 2021, nights booked at its unique hotels increased by nearly 50 percent globally and by 113 percent in the UK alone in 2021.
Scroll down to see the eight most popular quirky places to stay on the platform – which ones would you book?
Redwood tree house – Watsonville, California
In this “magic” treehouse in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, you are truly immersed in nature – a tree grows “across the main living area and another in the bathroom”. Admire views of the area’s redwood trees from the hot tub or venture further out to explore the shoreline of nearby Monterey Bay. The tree house sleeps two people and costs £233 per night
Ancient trullo dome – Ostuni, Puglia, Italy
This charming Airbnb near the town of Ostuni is housed in a 300-year-old ‘trullo’ – a traditional Italian dry-stone hut with a conical roof. Relax in the hammock and admire the grounds – set on four acres of grounds planted with olive, almond, fig, cherry and pear trees, it offers a “garden banquet for guests to enjoy”. It’s also an eco-friendly place. Solar energy is used for hot water and waste water is reused. The property sleeps four people and costs from £175 per night with a minimum stay of four nights
Historical tower – Tuoro sul Trasimeno, Umbria, Italy
Check into this Italian oasis on the border of Umbria and Tuscany and you’ll be greeted by a “breathtaking view over Lake Trasimeno”. The tower, built from ‘reclaimed materials’, has a private garden and BBQ, and guests can also swim in the property’s communal pool. The property sleeps two people and costs £108 per night
Luxurious stone villa – Chania, Crete, Greece
This unique apartment in the small village of Kaliviani rocks in more ways than one. It is housed in a natural cave that was once used as a family home and later as an agricultural storeroom. After a renovation in 2007, the space was transformed into a “luxury” 60m2 studio with balcony. In addition to an eye-catching interior, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of Kissamos Bay. It sleeps three people and costs from £148 per night
Tree house in the rainforest – San Carlos, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
You’ll find this gem at Bio Thermales Hot Springs Resort just north of San Jose. The treehouse is handcrafted with furniture made from naturally harvested trees in the countryside. Days will likely be spent soaking in the retreat’s 15 natural pools of hot and cool springs or hiking the trails in the surrounding 14 acres of rainforest. The tree house for four is priced from £105 per night
‘Dream Caught’ Treehouses – Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand
This scenic retreat is nestled amidst the “lush green rolling hills” of Mae Taeng District in northern Thailand. The tree house is situated next to a river, which guests can admire from their own private terrace. If you stay three nights or more, there is also a free cooking class with the hosts. Accommodation for two people costs from £65 per night
Cahercastle, Galway, Ireland
Guests are invited to ‘live like a king’ at Galway’s Cahercastle, which has existed since the late 14th century. The sleeping quarters are in the master bedroom, the highest room in the castle, with access to the tower, a living room and a dining room. Guests share the fort with the owners, who remark, “The castle has many quirks. It’s a great and fun place to spend the night.’ The apartment sleeps four people and costs £167 per night
Prussian village church – Havelsee, Brandenburg, Germany
Put your head down for the night in this 18th-century church in the German village of Briest – guests sleep on the gallery where the organ once stood. Described as a ‘Gothic building’, the property features a clock tower and a ‘beautiful’ garden. Music fans get their money’s worth – according to the host, the church offers “good acoustics” for musicians and singers. This quirky place sleeps four people and costs from £49 a night
