Sometimes where you stay is a reason to visit a place all by itself. It might be the treehouse of your dreams, a unique hotel you never want to leave, or a perfectly designed luxury guesthouse. It’s one of our favourite things about traveling. We look for places that are unusual, creative, unique, and special – the kinds of places you want to tell people about.
This is our collection of special stays from around the world. They range from hip boutique hotels to off-grid glamping resorts and outstanding Airbnbs – for us special isn’t about the price, it’s about the character.
We also include unique hotels and places to stay in our detailed travel itineraries.
I dreamt of Babylonstoren before I got there and I’ve been dreaming of it since I got back. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to pack up your life and move to the countryside, buy some chickens and grow all your own food. Everything at this special places to say in the … Read more
Cruising on a houseboat around the backwaters of Alleppey is a quintessential Kerala experience and one we looked forward to from the moment we booked our trip. We spent a lot of time choosing a houseboat in Alleppey and it didn’t disappoint. The trip went down as one of the highlights of our time in … Read more
Varkala was the first stop on our Kerala adventure and we wanted to begin the holiday with a treat, which is what led us Eden Garden. It’s a peaceful Ayurvedic resort at the south end of Varkala, about 15 minutes away from the party and backpacker-heavy north cliffs. It’s a perfect choice if you’re looking for a quiet … Read more
Last week I introduced our new Special Places series. I’ve added lots of our old reviews to the group, but this is the first official brand new addition. It’s called The Siphon and I found it when searching for a place to stay for Steve and I plus three friends on our trip to Cornwall. … Read more
To finish our road trip around Slovenia, we ended up in Lake Bled and spent our final night in a particularly special place in Slovenia – a newly opened green resort near Lake Bled called Garden Village. As soon as I saw its website, I knew it was our kind of place – stylish glamping in … Read more
The first time I went to The Sanctuary ten years ago, I felt a little like I was cheating. It wasn’t something backpackers my age did. They stayed in the most basic places they could find and ate the cheapest food. Choosing The Sanctuary was splashing out. It was a choice in ease, convenience and … Read more
Last week, we told you about a special place to stay in Bali’s central highlands, a village suspended in the island’s quieter days before the tourism boom. The Village Above the Clouds is one of the most peaceful places we’ve ever stayed. As we said in our last post, it’s a place where you feel … Read more
As soon as I saw the Village Above the Clouds website, I knew we had to go there. I’d found it while searching for eco-hotels in Bali and it was the most charming and visually stunning one I came across. A few weeks later, I chanced across the owner at one of the many workshops … Read more
Mas Can Batlle in Santa Pau, Catalonia was one of the most special places we’ve ever stayed. It’s the product of a young couple’s dream and for that reason it was something we could relate to. For the past nine years, Albert and Cristina have been transforming what was an abandoned farmhouse into a designer … Read more
Details Casa Isabel, Yelapa, Mexico Price From $35 for a single room, and $70 for a double. Three night minimum stay. In a nutshell… In their words: “A peaceful retreat for the enjoyment of nature and rejuvenation of the human spirit”. Probably the most characterful and sustainable place you can stay in Yelapa, Mexico’s road-less … Read more