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.
From castles to cottages to cabins, the UK has an abundance of amazing Airbnbs. I’ve been creating my ultimate UK Airbnb wish list for years, finding all the best places to stay from Scotland down to the South. There are different things that make each of these UK Airbnbs special, be it hot tubs beneath … Read more
Where Route 66 ends at the iconic pier, Santa Monica has allured travelers for decades and is one of LA’s most cute neighbourhoods with a hippy yet chic vibe. It’s an obvious choice for where to stay in Los Angeles, right on the beach, and with an abundance of cafes, restaurants, farmers markets and all … Read more
Looking for somewhere to stay in Laguna Beach? Here’s our round-up of the most stylish Laguna Beach Airbnbs, from uber luxurious villas to cute seaside cabanas. Also see our guide to the best things to do in Laguna Beach. We went there as part of our ultimate California road trip, which included stops in Sonoma, … Read more
Bath is Bristol’s historic neighbour, a land of handsome honey-coloured stone, charming Georgian streets and a genteel vibe that gives rise to plenty of pretty cafes, boutiques and restaurants. Add to that the Roman baths and its location on the edge of the Cotswolds and you have a gorgeous UK break. If looking for a … Read more
I grew up 30 minutes from Brighton and it has a special place in my heart, filled with memories of trips to the pier as a child, shopping in the lanes as a teenager and nights out in my twenties. Nowadays, it retains the alternative vibes it’s always had, albeit with more gentrification, a little … Read more
Liverpool is one of our favourite cities in the UK, with a friendly upbeat vibe, thriving music scene, and a gorgeous backdrop of grand architecture. We’ve written a guide to the best things to do in Liverpool, and if you’re looking for somewhere to stay, you can’t go wrong with one of these stylish Liverpool … Read more
I’ve said it many times before, but in the days before I had Otis, I had no idea of the scope of luxury family travel. I was someone who thought those special treat trips were either going to be a thing of the past or something we’d reserve for the times we had a babysitter. … Read more
York is a place that embraces its history with gusto, so lodgings tend to be more on the traditional end of the scale – but that isn’t to say they aren’t stylish. This is our pick of the most design-led, boutique hotels in York, England. All have an emphasis on style, be that contemporary or … Read more
I was very excited to find that it’s possible to do some of Airbnb’s experiences online. It’s a great way to bring a touch of travel to the comfort of your own home – perfect for during these pandemic times, or for whenever actual travel isn’t on the cards. To quickly fill you in, Airbnb … Read more
Portland has an awesome Airbnb scene with plenty of options that go above and beyond that of other cities. Expect homemade guidebooks, local treats and A+ hospitality. It’s a creative, community-centered place, so many of the Airbnbs reflect that with hip décor and roots in the local neighbourhood. You have to have a license to … Read more