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50+ of the World’s Most Unique Vacation Rentals on the Market

Updated: Jul 18, 2023By Kate PrinceLifestyle
This article originally appeared on Investing.com. It has been republished here with permission.
@airbnb/Instagram @airbnb/Instagram

There’s nothing quite like planning a vacation, but many of us fall into old habits. Once we find somewhere we love, it’s easy to make that our go-to destination. However, there are thousands of truly unique and breathtaking vacation rentals out there that don’t cost a small fortune. 

Thanks to the rise of sites like Vrbo and Airbnb, there are more choices than ever. Next time you book a much-needed getaway, consider branching out. From invisible houses to Earthships to giant potato hotels and beyond, are these the most incredible vacation rentals on the planet? 

1. The Potato Hotel

Location: Ada County, Idaho
Est. Cost Per Night: $250*

The Big Idaho Potato Hotel, as you might have guessed from the name, is a six-ton Russet Burbank that has been turned into a romantic getaway. The Ada County motel is twenty miles from Boise, and guests can enjoy this rustic rural retreat for $250 a night.

The Potato Hotel @nswiggins/Pinterest The Potato Hotel @nswiggins/Pinterest

The Potato Hotel was created in 2012, and it overlooks the Owyhee Mountains. The eco-friendly hotel comes with air conditioning, a spa-like bathroom outside the hotel, and other luxurious amenities. The Potato Hotel was constructed by Kirstie Wolfe, a member of the Potato Truck Tour team, who transformed the tater into an actual residential fixture.

2. Alpaca Treehouse

Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Est. Cost Per Night: $395*

Atlanta has plenty to offer, but did you know that a bamboo forest is on that list? This secret hideaway gives guests the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city by staying in a bamboo treehouse. 

Alpaca Treehouse @matadornetworktravel/Pinterest Alpaca Treehouse @matadornetworktravel/Pinterest

There’s also the added bonus of seeing llamas and roosters roaming around freely, as it’s situated in a sanctuary. This particular home has received plenty of attention after being featured on Netflix in the shows The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals and Love Is Blind, making it one of Airbnb’s most wish-listed destinations. 

3. Treehouse at Danville

Location: Geneva, Florida
Est. Cost Per Night: $230*

Who wants to grow up and rent stuffy hotel rooms when you can stay forever young and rent a treehouse? This futurist vacation pad has been standing tall in Geneva, Florida for quite some time now. While it may look like kids would love it, there are no children or pets allowed on this property, presumably due to the high drops. 

Treehouse at Danville @matadornetworktravel/Pinterest Treehouse at Danville @matadornetworktravel/Pinterest

On the plus side, it allows you to live your childhood fantasies out in peace while you grill on the deck or relax inside. It’s a relatively small treetop perch, with room for two guests. Why not take a trip with your best friend or make it a romantic getaway?

4. The Invisible House

Location: Joshua Tree, California
Est. Cost Per Night: $3,100*

Joshua Tree is a highly-visited place in California, but did you know you can stay in an invisible house there? It may not be fully invisible, but the design of this unique vacation rental says it all. Made from materials that mirror the natural landscape, this home has 4 bedrooms, and 5 bathrooms, and is eco-friendly. 

The Invisible House @theinvisiblehouse/Instagram The Invisible House @theinvisiblehouse/Instagram

Solar panels provide the heating and the power, but perhaps there’s something to be said for star power, too. Makeup mogul and GOOGLE personality Jeffree Star has been known to stay here, as has Demi Lovato. 

5. Mesa Studio Earthship

Location: El Prado, New Mexico
Est. Cost Per Night: $153* 

Sustainable homes are on the rise, and if that’s something you’re into, then you need to put this on your travel wishlist. Made from recycled bottles, tires, and earth, this off-grid property in El Prado, New Mexico, is part of the Greater World Earthship Community. 

Mesa Studio Earthship @cntraveler/Pinterest Mesa Studio Earthship @cntraveler/Pinterest

The outside certainly looks otherworldly, but inside it’s elegantly designed with exposed wood, mod cons, and comfy beds. Outside offers stunning views as well as plenty of places to hike, let the dogs run, and simply enjoy the surroundings.

6. The Hobbit House, Northamptonshire

Location: Northampton, U.K.
Est. Cost Per Night: $202*

This quaint, cute cottage is located in Northampton, U.K., and it truly looks like something out of The Hobbit, with its grass-covered roof and log walls. The Hobbit House started as a view, then it became a bench. Then, it was a community project, and now it is a unique retreat for two.

The Hobbit House, Northamptonshire @canopyandstars/Pinterest The Hobbit House, Northamptonshire @canopyandstars/Pinterest

Deemed a “Honeymoon Cottage,” the Hobbit House sleeps two, and it has a pizza oven, pond, fairy lights, and a boho interior. Nearby are attractions like Warwick Castle, the Silverstone Circuit, and plenty of waterside for country walks. The owner, Amanda, also is a “Reiki Master.” For $50, she offers balancing, relaxing reiki treatments.

7. 7th Room

Location: Harads, Sweden
Est. Cost Per Night: $1,306*

This unique abode hovers ten meters off the ground. It is set within a pine forest in Northern Sweden, and the tri-colored trunks hold this glass-encased treehouse. The 7th Room, as it is called, is designed by Snohetta. The 7th Room provides beautiful views of the Lule River and Lapland treetops.

7th Room @archilovers/Pinterest 7th Room @archilovers/Pinterest

The 7th Room was built like a traditional Nordic cabin, with a wooden, pine-board-clad façade. The surface of the pine was burnt to create a dark exterior, while the interior is made up of blonde wood, giving it a bright, cheery look that contrasts what it looks like on the outside.  

8. Villa Livia

Location: Ischia, Napoli, Italy
Est. Cost Per Night: $1,000-$1,500*

This luxury Art Deco villa is called Villa Livia, and it is located in Napoli. Designed in shades of nautical white and mariner blue, the Villa has distinctive circular architecture and beachy glamor. The home’s terraces overlook the Castello Aragonese, which is a fortified castle on its own island.

Villa Livia @cntraveler/Pinterest Villa Livia @cntraveler/Pinterest

The seaside villa has a lot of amenities, including a pool, air conditioning, internet, outdoor barbecue, and indoor fireplace. The room isn’t cheap to rent, and you’ll likely find yourself paying anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 a night, especially during the spring and summer. Villa Livia is very popular, so you’ll want to book well in advance. 

9. Magical Bamboo House

Location: Bali, Indonesia
Est. Cost Per Night: $169*

If you’re up for traveling, you can stay in some truly incredible properties for a rock bottom price. Bali has always been a firm favorite with backpackers, but you don’t have to stay in hostels if you want to travel low budget. This truly unique rental is made from bamboo and overlooks the impressive natural landscape of the island. 

Magical Bamboo House @matadornetworktravel/Pinterest Magical Bamboo House @matadornetworktravel/Pinterest

If the location of the home wasn’t enough to make you cancel your Hilton stay, then the natural decor inside should sway you. Complete with fairy lights, floor-to-ceiling windows, and two bedrooms, this magical bamboo house is a steal at just $169 a night. 

10. Off-Grid Adobe Dome

Location: Terlingua, Texas
Est. Cost Per Night: $109*

Another off-grid option is this adobe dome, which is located near Big Bend National Park in West Texas. It was spotlighted on Mighty Tiny Houses, an HGTV show, so, if you’re a fan of that network, you might recognize it. The home has consistently been listed as one of the best Airbnbs for people who love to Stargaze.

Off-Grid Adobe Dome @wocountry/Pinterest Off-Grid Adobe Dome @wocountry/Pinterest

This is because it is one of few territories operating under a “dark sky” law. So, the horizon is unobstructed. The solar-powered Airbnb has a working kitchen and an outhouse with a composting toilet. FYI, though you have WiFi, you do not have a shower when you stay here.   

11. La Valise

Location: Tulum, Mexico
Est. Cost Per Night: $600*

La Valise is a group of unique, eclectic properties, and its Tulum location is one of its most magical. La Valise Tulum is on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, and the location is known for its serenity. Tulum itself is famous for sandy white beaches and gourmet cuisine.

La Valise @cntraveler/Pinterest La Valise @cntraveler/Pinterest

La Valise is a private beachfront bungalow that the rental company describes as “Robinson Crusoe meets…Museum-curated villa.” La Valise Tulum comes with a lot of amenities, including stunning views, luxury linens, spacious bathrooms, breakfast included, and free WiFi. You can swim in the Caribbean Sea or in a saltwater infinity pool next to the property.   

12. Sweet Escape Mansion

Location: Orlando, Florida
Est. Cost Per Night: $1,000-$1,500*

Known as the “Candy Mansion,” the Sweet Escape is a vacation home in Orlando, Florida with a dessert theme. The five-acre, private, gated home is “more fun than Disney,” according to Travel & Leisure. It has the only ice-cream-cone-shaped swimming pool in the world, complete with a Hershey slide.

Sweet Escape Mansion @onlyinyourstate/Pinterest Sweet Escape Mansion @onlyinyourstate/Pinterest

Every room in the Sweet Escape has a different candy theme. There is an “ice cream social nightclub,” karaoke bar, arcade, VR gaming, laser tag, carnival booths, and more. The mansion can sleep up to fifty-two people, and it is perfect for large parties and family gatherings where you can split the $1,000-$1,500-per-night cost.

13. The Bloomhouse by Lodgewell

Location: Austin, Texas
Est. Cost Per Night: $550*

This West Austin vacation rental is a 1,100-square-foot fairytale escape. It sleeps four, and it is shaped like a gigantic seashell unicorn. Lodgewell describes the Bloomhouse as a “celebration” of “magical and mystical” things. The home comes with two queen-size beds and one bathroom.

The Bloomhouse by Lodgewell ©evilbuildings/tumblr The Bloomhouse by Lodgewell ©evilbuildings/tumblr

The unique rental was designed by two University of Texas architecture students who wanted to build a home that would let you live in harmony with your environment. There are no right angles or straight lines in the structure, letting you “leave behind” the “rules of logic” and “confines of modernity” for $550 a night.

14. Modern Cottage

Location: Quebec, Canada
Est. Cost Per Night: $360*

One renter described this modern cottage as one of Canada’s “coolest rentals.” Though a cottage, this $360-per-night abode has a striking modern design. It overlooks the beautiful Saint Lawrence River, and it is a great home base for Le Massif skiing. The unobstructed views and stylish, glass-windowed design make it a great place to stay if you’re a nature-lover.

Modern Cottage @timeouttravel/Pinterest Modern Cottage @timeouttravel/Pinterest

Amenities include a cozy fireplace, rooftop terrace, and a private spa. Reportedly, this vacation rental is one of the most popular ones in Canada, so you will want to book well in advance. The rental can sleep up to eight guests.