There are ordinary rentals, then there are rentals so unusual and unique, you want to pack your bags immediately and book them for a trip made more extraordinary. Why stay at a usual, boring hotel when you have Airbnb – a trusted community marketplace in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries – that lets you choose from many unique and safe places to stay at?
In case you don’t know how it works, people share their homes or extra space to an audience of millions for a price. From a hipster bus to an old castle, here are fifteen of the most unique and unusual places you can actually rent on Airbnb to temporarily call home all for yourself, making your trip an even more exciting (and photograph-worthy) one.
A pod
This is for the adventurer in you — don’t forget your hiking boots and outdoor gear, and keep your camera close to you when you book this space in Iceland. Perfect for the outdoorsy type, this pod is a unique wooden hut surrounded by nature — it’s wrapped around by a river, lake, and mountain. The lounge is equipped with a table, 2 chairs, a bench, and has a sleeping bag accommodation. You’ll totally be one with nature here as you’re surrounded by hectares of land: noise is not an issue and you can enjoy looking at bright stars all night long. Rent this if you want to experience nature but don’t want the more ‘rough’ commitment of having to stay in a tent.
Location: Iceland
Price: P2,542/night
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A house near an active volcano
When and where else can you book a stay at a big house standing in the midde of a jungle, right at the slope of an active volcano? Rent this house by the slope of Hibok-Hibok volcano and experience a vacation unlike any other. The saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” is perfect for this place, as it may seem very far away from civilization, but it is actually equipped with all the amenities of a modern house.
Location: Northern Mindanao
Price: P1,504/night
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A dome
It looks so surreal you think the space is like a set from a sci-fi movie — but it really exists, and yes, you may stay the night. Domes are designed in a way so stress is distributed evenly in the structure. You can remove the white panels on the dome which covers the screens, so you can see everything that is around the property it sits on. Going zen and reconnecting with yourself is so much easier here as different activities are available for your picking — cooking, hiking, nature tripping, being surrounded by animals, and more. It also comes with outdoor double hot showers, a clawfoot tub, an outdoor kitchen and grill and a big fire pit to keep you warm.
Location: New York
Price: P16,541/night
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A private island
Located in the Sulu Sea, Brother Island is a 2,000-square meter island covered with white sand and filled with coconut trees. Bring your entire family or barkada with you — the island has a two-story family house and can accommodate up to 10 or more people. Plan a Survivor-themed getaway with your guests and have different team games and challenges in the island, as you are enveloped by beautiful natural surroundings: the wide expanse of water and sand, lush greenery, and even a small rainforest with different jungle paths if you want to explore more, and a natural barrier protecting the island against waves.
Location: Palawan
Price: P17,795/night
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A tugboat
On your next vacation, pretend you’re a pirate and stay in this 3-deck tugboat where you can enjoy an amazing view of the river. Play captain and explore the boat’s original wheel house, still intact, and imagine you’re on your next adventure in search for hidden treasure. The boat is also furnished with bamboo floors which is beyond extraordinary.
Location: Oregon,
Price: P91,258/night
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A bus
How cool would it be to sleep in a bus and still feel luxurious afterwards? Well, there is a bus you can now rent for exactly that — it was transformed into an abode a recovery worker drove the bus around helping other people devastated by hurricane Katrina. Now, you too can experience living on this ‘magic bus’ as what they call it. This spacious bus comes with 4-6 single beds and a kitchenette where you can cook your own meals.
Location: Louisiana
Price: P4,575/night
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A cave
Wouldn’t you want to tell your friends you have once lived in a cave and survived? Well, fine, with this space, it’s less Neanderthal since you’ll be treated like a contemporary human — the 20-meter high cave has a lodge with 3 bedrooms and loft, hand crafted in a classic Australian style, and comes with a view over the Wollangambe Wilderness and Wollemi World Heritage Area. It’s roughing it, with style — a comfortable caveman, if you will.
Location: New South Wales
Price: P8,377/night
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A yurt
In case you don’t know, a yurt is a portable round tent covered with wool or felt and used as a house by nomads. Unlike the traditional yurts, most modern-day yurts now come with complete amenities which include running water, windows, heating, air-conditioning, WiFi and more. If you want to try going rustic and see how it is like to live before, you’re in luck — this yurt for rent is equipped with a big wood stove, warming the atmosphere, and it comes with an unbeatable 360° view of the Bauges Mountains.
Location: France
Price: P3,305/night
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A small and secluded island
Do you want to re-enact Tom Hank’s Cast Away but knowing that you’re safely just a 10-minute boat ride from the road? In this hideaway, you can live comfortably in a bungalow and when you reach the place, it’s quite hard to believe that you’re actually only three hours away from the big city that is Manila! The house has one bedroom, a kitchen, a living room — all of which have a stunning view of the lake. A quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the metro that’s absolutely perfect if you want to relax without having to go far away. You can even camp out under the stars!
Location: Cavinti
Price: P2,908/night
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An airplane
Yes, it’s an airplane. Don’t worry — you’re totally safe, it won’t fly anywhere as it is permanently parked somewhere in France. Fully equipped with a kitchenette, toilet, shower, a double bed in the bedroom and 2 childress beds in the living room, book this aircraft for a one-of-a-kind vacation (how many people can say “I went to France and stayed booked a whole plane for my trip”?). The white, blue, and red interior gives this rental space a clean and chill look. Wait until you see where the toilet is!
Location: France
Price: P4,522/night
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A castle
Play kings and queens for your next vacation — be just like royalty and stay in this castle built on a 15-acre ground in 1841. To further add to the regal and old world experience, you can sleep on four poster beds, bathe in clawfoot tubs, and read a hardbound book while listening to the wood crackle in the fireplace. The hosts and their children with 16 local staff live in the castle, so you don’t have to worry about being alone. Time to brush up on your (fake) British accent and practice the fine art of being fancy — pinkies up!
Location: United Kingdom
Price: P9,338/night
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A staycation that’s to die for
This Parisian-chic pad is beautifully furnished that you wouldn’t believe it’s just within the city. Who says you need to go far to feel relaxed? Make sure you don’t forget to bring your camera to take photos and munch on some macarons while staying at this cozy apartment! What’s great is that there are number of establishments just down the street. Imagine you’re at Champs-Élysées and visit the mall just in front of it where you’ll find a number of good eats and high-end shops you’d want to check.
Location: Makati
Price: P4,486/night
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A seashell
Have you ever fancied yourself a mermaid and dreamed of living inside a seashell? Well, Ariel, now Mexico can make your dreams come true. This impressive white structure on a cliffside has its interior and exterior design all inspired by the sea. The smaller shell has the bedroom, a private bath with the showerhead concealed inside a shell, and the flooring is completely covered of tiles and shells you’ll really feel you’ve changed from human form to the little mermaid in a heartbeat.
It’s also the place to be if you want a vacation to get away from the touristy trappings, but still get that incredible view of the Caribbean Sea while taking a dip in the private pool.
Location: Mexico
Price: P11,768/night
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A tree house
Who says treehouses are just for kids? Definitely not in this lush Atlanta space. Rent this tree house with three rooms all connected by rope bridges that is built against a 150-year-old pine tree. It is dubbed as a romantic, dreamy and unique place to stay in — each room furnished with antiques and natural artifacts with fairy lights hanging. Channel your inner Peter Pan and go nature tripping with other child-at-heart guests by booking this one, and get all excited about sleeping underneath the stars and waking up to the sound of birds chirping.
Location: Atlanta
Price: P16,541/night
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An oceanview penthouse
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the beachside abode boasts of a 4-bedroom/4-bathroom space that also has two kitchens where you can cook your meals. Head on over to the living and dining rooms and have a 180-degree view of the ocean which opens to a 950 square foot terrace through sliding glass walls. If that’s not living the luxurious ocean life, perhaps the inclusion of your own personal butler to assist you and your guests will make you feel even more spoiled as you soak in each breathtaking view.
Location: Aklan
Price: P23,535/night
Book it now on Airbnb
