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.
As you all know, I’ve always been a fan of Airbnb, but there are also plenty of other sites like Airbnb that I use to find special places to stay. As Airbnb has grown, it’s sometimes harder to find and book a unique and characterful place, so here’s the lowdown on my favourite Airbnb alternatives. … Read more
We’re huge fans of Asheville and its laidback mountain vibes (in fact we’ve written a post with 31 reasons to love Asheville). And these beautiful Asheville VRBO vacation homes are ideal places to experience everything the city and its surrounding nature have to offer. From VRBO Asheville cabins with mountain views to apartments in the … Read more
For a taste of the ultimate Palm Springs lifestyle, choose a vacation home with a pool – think lazy days sunbathing, followed by nights drinking cocktails by the water’s edge. We’ve curated a guide to the best VRBO Palm Springs rentals with pools. Lots of them have a resort-style feel to them and are perfect … Read more
Looking for a place to stay in Salcombe? Here’s our guide to the best Salcombe holiday homes, featuring everything from Salcombe holiday cottages to quirky shepherd’s hut stays. We’ve also included a selection of holiday homes across the bay in East Portlemouth. And don’t miss our guide to the best things to do in Salcombe, … Read more
There are so many unusual and unique places to stay in Norfolk that I made a separate post entirely dedicated to shepherd’s huts in Norfolk. And, as well as the list below, I also recommend this traditional showman’s wagon; lotus tents by a swimming pond; a converted Lynx helicopter; and a stylish riverside barn. You … Read more
We’ve teamed up with Host Unusual to bring you the low-down on 20 of the most unusual places to stay in the UK. There’s even a helicopter in there! Unusual Places to Stay: UK Edition What is Host Unusual? The brainchild of co-founders (and curious wanderers) Dawn Crawford and Alex Wilson, Host Unusual showcases some … Read more
Shepherd’s huts are an absolute delight, the perfect size for a cosy getaway for two, and they often come hand in hand with an outdoor hot tub. Norfolk has a bounty of beautiful options, so we’ve created a quick run-down of the eight best Norfolk shepherd’s huts. Also don’t miss our guide to the best … Read more
Venice Beach is one of the must-sees of L.A. – a bohemian, anything goes beach enclave, filled with modern new age restaurants and trendy boutiques. We went as part of our California road trip, staying in an Airbnb near Abbot Kinney Boulevard. I’ve put together a guide to the best Venice Beach Airbnbs based on … Read more
Just the name of the Cotswolds conjures up its character as one of the UK’s most charming holiday escapes. Village after village of sandy chocolate box cottages and pretty gardens make for a picturesque and peaceful escape. We’ve put together a guide to the best Cotswolds Airbnbs, including cottages, manors and unusual places to stay … Read more
We spend a lot of time in Devon and are huge fans of its gorgeous coastline, wild beaches, rolling hills, cute market towns, Devonshire teas, pasties, and everything else that makes it one of the UK’s most charming holiday spots. We’ve curated a round-up of Devon’s best Airbnbs. From the coastal towns of Ilfracombe, Paignton … Read more