When it comes to travel these days, many people are looking beyond a simple hotel. The huge success of sites such as Airbnb and Couchsurfing highlights how holidaymakers and travellers are changing their habits to get the best deals. Often, much of the accommodation found on these sights is what could best be described as “unusual” and this seems to have helped with the success of these businesses.
But what if you’re looking for more than a room? What if you you’re after something really unusual or unique? We’ve put together this list of the top ways to find unusual places to stay.
One Off Places
As the name suggests, these guys specialise in the unusual. Whether you’re after a lighthouse, windmill or a yurt, you can find it at www.oneoffplaces.co.uk.
Unlike many of these sites, One Off Places operates all over the world. Some of the more unusual locations in Spain for example include an Airstream caravan and a 1,000 year old castle. If it’s South Africa you’re visiting, they have a number of amazing treehouses on offer whilst Morocco has a number of riads to choose from.
Monastery Stays
I’ve mentioned this site before but they definitely need to be in this list if only for the locations. If you’re in Italy, you can’t go far wrong staying in a monastery. One of the original “hotels”, monasteries, churches, and convents have been taking in travellers for over 1,500 years and this means they’ve gotten pretty darn good at it. Also, since the buildings tend to be extremely old, they’re usually to be found in the best locations and Monastery Stays have certainly got them.
In Rome and want to see the Vatican? No problem, there are 2 convents on the very edge of St Peter’s Square. And when I say the edge, I mean it. You’d rather be by the Colosseum and the Forum? No problem, they can do that too.
Venice is well covered, as are Florence and Sorrento to name a few other locations.
Quirky Accom.
If you’re looking to stay in the UK, Quirky Accom. Has some great sites to choose from. From a converted double decker bus in East Sussex to a railway carriage in Shropshire there’s bound to be something for train and bus enthusiasts. Alternatively, if you’re after a lakeside cabin, windmill or a quarry lodge, Quirky Accom. can find it for you.
If you’re heading abroad and want an unusual place to stay, my top tip this week is Amsterdam if only so you can stay in a crane! Yep, Faralda Crane Hotel is a converted 50m crane with a hot tub at the top with stunning views over the city.
Holiday Pad
It may not be a booking site but Holiday Pad is a great resource for tracking down unusual places or for inspiration. Perhaps my favourite location on the site is the Dunton Hot Springs resort. This former ghost town has been restored to extremely high standards and can be found in the San Juan Mountains deep in the Colorado Rockies.
Northern Lights Holidays
Let’s face it, seeing the Northern Lights are on most people’s to do list. Scandinavia is considered just about the best area to see the Aurora Borealis but you don’t want to stay in a boring hotel do you? I thought not, so how about an ice hotel or an igloo? If so, Northern lights Holidays are the place to go. They have ice hotels throughout Scandinavia and an igloo village with glass roofs in Finland which makes seeing the lights even more unique.
What do you say?
They definitely beat Premier Inn don’t they? If you’ve visited one of these unique places or have any tips or recommendations, let us know below. Also, be sure to sign up to our newsletter below and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest travel tips and news. Alternatively, learn more about the Northern Lights here.
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