8 Unique Places To Stay Around The World
• Originally broadcast via email on October 25, 2024 •
One of my favorite parts about travel is finding the best places to stay.
I swear, I probably spend at least 100 hours before each trip digging through accommodation options…
.everything from luxury resorts to quirky little gems that catch my eye.
They don’t have to cost hundreds of dollars a night to get me excited, but they do have to have a ‘wow’ factor.
Maybe in another email, I’ll highlight some cool places we haven’t stayed yet, but for now, I wanted to share some of my favorites from our own travels that might just inspire your next trip.
**Full disclaimer: In this email, we recommend a few Airbnbs. While we use to love Airbnb, we have had more issues with them in recent years. If you plan to use Airbnb, be sure that you have travel insurance and only book homes with very highly-rated hosts.
1. “Overwater Bungalow” – Norwegian Fjords Style
📍Aurland, Norway
If you’ve been following our travel newsletter for a while, you know I’m a big fan of the magical overwater bungalows in the Maldives and French Polynesia.
But what if I told you you didn’t have to travel somewhere tropical to get the overwater bungalow experience?
 | |
In 2019, we rented this gorgeous “overwater bungalow” on the banks of the Norwegian Fjords, and I still think about going back at least once a week.
You can book your stay at this epic 3-bedroom home here.
Head’s up… it only has one bathroom, but if you plan for it, you can easily fit 6-7 people.
2. Living on Lava in Hawaii
📍Kalapana, Big Island Hawaii
When we started to look into staying in Hawaii for an extended time, we stumbled across this unique ecolodge in the southern part of the Big Island.
|
For as little as $50 per night, you can live atop the lava fields created by the eruption of Kīlauea in 2010.
We stayed for a month, and although the rooms themselves were quite basic, we thoroughly enjoyed this experience.
The host of this accommodation is an actual genius when it comes to volcanic history, so make sure to meet him and get the scoop about the area; I think you’ll be as impressed as we were!
You can book your stay at Lava Lookout here.
Note that this place is only suitable for 2 people.
3. Swiss Alps Chalet
📍Adelboden, Switzerland
You’ve seen infinity pools butting up against the ocean, but have you seen one in the mountains of Switzerland?
I’m not quite sure where I first saw this hotel, but once I did I was hooked.
| |
It didn’t matter that the rooms were at least $400 per night (on a good night 😅). I knew the experience would be worth every penny.
Check out and book your stay at The Cambrian in Adelboden, Switzerland here.
4. Greek Ocean Villa
📍Rhodes, Greece
This villa was a no-brainer…
We went during the off-season and 7 of us split the cost, so it turned out to be just $50-$60 per night per person.
|
Located along the ocean in Rhodes, Greece, this villa was the perfect getaway for our group.
Featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, round up all your friends, hop on the next plane to Athens, and jump on over to Rhodes for the ultimate holiday.
Click here to book your stay at this oceanside villa here.
Note: If you do go here during off-season, most things (restaurants, shops, etc) will be closed. This was the tradeoff for cheap flights and cheap accommodation.
5. A Cliffside Treehouse with Ocean Views
📍Nusa Penida, Indonesia
The truth?
We didn’t actually stay at this treehouse because there are better places to stay nearby.
But check out this view… 😍
|
We spent a good portion of this day exploring this insane viewpoint located on the small island of Nusa Penida near Bali, Indonesia.
If your heart is set on staying at this treehouse, you can book your stay here.
But if you’d like to stay in someplace better nearby (with similar killer views), click here!
6. A Traditional Kyrgyz Mountain Yurt
📍Sary Mogul, Kyrgyzstan
This place isn’t about luxury, it’s about the experience.
We stayed in these traditional nomadic yurts a few times during our visit to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, and it was unlike anything else we’ve ever done.
|
There’s just something special about the simplicity and authenticity of life here.
I’m unsure if you can book this place directly on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, but you can book a tour throughout Kyrgyzstan and you’re bound to stay in one of these bad boys.
We booked our tour through Visit Alay and *highly* recommend them!
7. A Grain Bin in Montana
📍Ronan, Montana
I booked this place on a whim during our month-long stay in Big Fork, Montana.
I was craving a bit of winter adventure when I stumbled upon this grain bin, completely remodeled and beautifully decorated to be a cozy retreat.
|
The moment I saw it, I knew I had to give it a try.
If you’re up for a unique Montana experience, this spot is definitely worth checking out. And it’s quite cheap compared to some of the other accommodations on this list.
You can book your stay at this remodeled grain bin here (approximately $90-$125 per night).
8. Multi-Colored Boat Houses On A Greek Island
📍Milos, Greece
Klima is a charming coastal village on the island of Milos, Greece, known for its row of colorful boat houses right along the water.
We stayed on this beautiful island for two months and fell in love with the vibrant charm and laid-back vibe of this spot.
|
These traditional “syrmata” houses were originally used by fishermen to store their boats but have since been transformed into cozy accommodations.
We didn’t stay in these ourselves, but we plan on it when we visit Milos again in the future.
There are tons of booking options all ranging in price, so pick the one that works best for you and enjoy!
Option #1 – approximately $180 per night
Option #2 – approximately $157 per night
Option #3 – approximately $131 per night
Option #4 – approximately $209 per night
🔍 Travel Hidden Gem Spotlight: Socotra, Yemen
Socotra is one of those places that feels like stepping into another world entirely.
Known as the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” this remote island is home to some of the most unique landscapes and plant species you’ll ever see.
| |
Imagine alien-like dragon’s blood trees, white-sand beaches with turquoise waters, and towering sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see.
We haven’t made it to Socotra yet, but it’s high on our travel wishlist.
It’s not the easiest destination to get to, and tourism is still quite limited, but that’s also what makes it so special. If you’re the kind of traveler who craves off-the-beaten-path experiences, Socotra might be for you.
To get there, check out this tour from Abu Dhabi by 2Socotra
Have a great week and happy travels!
Laura
P.S. Before you head out, check off your to-do list here:
✔️ Save TONS on flights with FareDrop*
✔️ Score the lowest accommodation prices on Booking.com*
✔️ For airports transfers and tours click here*
And finally…
✔️ Scan our resource page for recs we personally use and LOVE
✔️ Share this email and blog post with friends and family that you think would enjoy it – we appreciate it!
*These are our affiliate links – if you make a purchase using our link, we will get a small commission at NO extra cost to you. This helps us keep our travel blog and newsletter running and free to all users – thank you SO much for the support.
