What good is a life that is not packed with OMG moments? The best memories are certainly not made within the four walls of a room. If you don’t want to wait for life to surprise you, the wise choice is to rely on Airbnb’s new filter that adds the OMG and oomph in life and travels with the click of a button. The new OMG! filter unravels an unexplored world that’s equal parts weird and wonderful. From being bashful in romantic bamboo retreats to getting crazy in kooky cottages, there is no limit to how adventurous your vacations can get. Listed below are 11 excellent Airbnb listings from idiosyncratic, incredible, quirky to downright outlandish:
11. Villa Casa Acantilado, Andalucía, Spain
The villa Casa Acantilado, located in Salobreña, is a $393 per night, Gaudi-inspired dwelling that sleeps six on the 2-story property. The house serves a garden, an open terrace, a barbecue, and an outdoor shower with captivating sea views. A family can enjoy a lavish vacation comfortably in 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and cook up a storm in a fully-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher. Among several fun amenities, the one that stands out in this OMG villa is the private outdoor area with a pool that can be heated.
10. Sharma Springs, Bali, Indonesia
This home transports you right into a fantasy world, the kind that belongs in fairytales. Complete with vistas of Bali’s sacred Ayung River, a high-end bamboo villa surrounded by lush greenery, Sharma Springs is the epitome of an Instagram-worthy abode that will set you back by a whopping $1210 per night. The atmosphere is unparalleled with distinct blond bamboo roofs, floors, walls, ceilings, stairs, and railings. Guests access this 5-story masterpiece via an enormous bamboo tube that works as a bridge to the oval front door. Inside, one is met with the sprawling lounge and kitchen. The house includes five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a pool and workspace on the top floor, a media room, a kid’s playroom, and a barbecue area. This luxurious abode offers an annex house featuring one bedroom with a queen-sized bed and two small beds for kids.
9. Birdbox, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
The adventure begins after parking your car at Langeland ski resort, followed by a 15-minute hike up the hill to the Birdbox. Inside the comfortable closure of the Birdbox, you will find yourself surrounded by snowcapped mountains. From sleeping amid nature to tapping into your adventurous side, there’s plenty to do for $342 a night. The host suggests, ‘Put on your skis and have a breathtaking journey around the nearby trails. In the summer, hike down to Langelandsvatnet and enjoy swimming in energizing water.’ Another essential tip is to bring enough food for the stay as the closest grocery store is in Førde.
8. Couplespod at Riverstone, Western Cape, South Africa
A farm getaway, a couples pod, or just a well-designed private getaway; call it what you may, the couples pod at the Riverstone House in Western Cape, SA is an exceptional secluded urban cabin flanked with stunning interiors and jaw-dropping outdoors. Ideal for two guests who reside in 1 bedroom and bathroom to have a whale of a time exploring the tranquility of nature. One review on this Airbnb read, ‘Amazing farm getaway, perfect spot to relax and unplug. Great fireplace, good birdlife, and it is very private. Take a good book and enjoy a thoughtfully designed and curated space.’ This getaway is pet friendly, which works for many pet parents who’d hate to leave their furry friends at home. Ninon posted a review stating, ‘The couples pod was amazing! It was clean with lovely interiors and design, and our pup loved swimming in the dam, which is a plus! Perfect place to wind down and relax in the bath outside or front of a fire. All of the utensils that we needed were available, and the Nespresso and Nutribullet were a nice surprise! Great communication from Candice – can’t wait to return.’
7. Glass cottage, Hella, Iceland
If there is an extraordinary way of experiencing Iceland, it is the Glass cottages. Located on a lava desert in the south of Iceland, the $515-a-night property is a stone’s throw away from the town of Hella. The views are fascinating, but the all-glass bedroom is sheer magic. It’s not every day one gets to sleep under the stars in comfort and warmth. Even the bathroom offers views of the largest Icelandic volcanoes, Hekla, eyjafjallajökull, bláfjöll, and tindfjöl. The glass cottage features a fully equipped kitchen complete with luxury dishes and appliances like an oven, fridge, induction hob, and espresso machine. The cabin packs in a private hot tub and a terrace to make the trip truly worthwhile.
6. Secluded airship, Drimnin, Scotland, United Kingdom
Located in Drimnin, Scotland, is a tiny and terrific home, Airship 2, designed by Roderick James with views of the Sound of Mull from dragonfly windows. This insulated aluminum pod is the most unpretentious space you can take yourself to for $200. Mandeep reviewed the property on Airbnb, “One of the most unique and unforgettable Airbnb places we’ve stayed in! Highly recommend it if you’re looking for something remote and like no other.” Jamie echoed the sentiment, “Amazing location, beautifully furnished, very isolated, so make sure you stock up beforehand. It’s also within walking distance to Mc’nean distillery.”
5. Boathouse, Rizhao, Shandong, China
Life may be a beach, but I think it should be a boat. At least that’s what the heart aims for after looking at the mind-blowing images of Yunxiao Hill Boathouse. Nestled at a lush tea plantation, this boathouse is equipped with eight rooms and loads of tranquility. The structure comes with huge circular floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy the surroundings. Outside lays a massive viewing terrace. A piping hot cup of tea is best enjoyed on the lawn. The dwelling is cradled in the center of marine fishery theme parks, research bases, shipyards, camping, open-air theme theaters, and cultural and creative workshops. This unique tourist countryside cultural complex offers the best of gourmet food, cultural experiences, and more for $107 per night.
4. Emotional healing Guitar cottage, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Did someone say guitar-shaped house? These three words are quite the lure even for those who don’t ace the strumming instrument. Nothing heals the soul like music, making Emotional Healing the apt name for this one-bedroom apartment. This monolithic, three-floored house of the Serra Guitar Cultural Museum comes with a terrace and front lawn. A review read, ‘You can use the entire rooftop on the third floor, so it’s relaxing because you can grill meat and take a walk in a secluded pottery art village.’ Another stated, ‘I think it would be good in summer, but winter is even more attractive. I recommend it.’ Emotional healing sleeps two people for nearly $73.
3. Unique stay, Amsterdam, Netherlands
If life is for living, then repose should be one worth remembering. This spectacular and truly out-of-the-world three-story apartment is built inside a converted crane. The luxury apartment features a bathroom, a bedroom, and excellent views of the IJ river. You can stir something delicious in the kitchen or chill in the lounge area and trust your host to help you out with the best delivery options from the neighborhood. One guest wrote about their stay at the unique Airbnb,’ Unforgettable experience!’ while another complimented, ‘Great location, perfectly furnished, I enjoyed the view and the coziness!’ A night inside this converted crane with luxe interiors will set you back by $440 a night.
2. Zome, dome-shaped home, Caylus, Occitanie, France
This very fascinating, 6-branch rosette-shaped wooden structure is an ideal stay for those looking for a break from the world and its routines. To minimize its carbon footprint, Zome functions in an eco-friendly manner. The cocooning space teaches you the right way to live by running the water supply through a battery-pump system, arranging electricity through a solar panel, and equipping a dry toilet. Zome allows you to meditate and keeps guests entertained with books, word games, or board games. The best way to enjoy the unusual appearance of this abode is by slackening on sun loungers or hammocks. I can’t think of a better use for $125.
1. Anemomilos, Volimes, Greece
Live in a five-star hotel, and the memory will eventually fade, spend a night or two on a windmill, and you will remember forever. This ancient and authentic windmill used to grind wheat and produce flour was renovated to become an inviting, well-appointed space for guests as an Airbnb. The windmill home comprises three floors divided into the kitchen and the bathroom, a children’s bedroom on the second floor, and the master bedroom with a 360-degree view on the top floor. The space offers breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea stretching from the coast of Kefalonia to the coast of the Peloponnese and the whole northeastern side of Zakynthos. Among many mentions, one read, ‘This is such a magical place to stay – I am so grateful to Airbnb that we found it! The views are amazing, and it was truly a unique experience to watch the sunrise out of the 360 windows and have dinner overlooking the sea. The hosts are so friendly and helpful, and we loved staying here. The plot of land is totally private and quite remote, but also close to Agios Nikolaos and Volimes, which are both beautiful. We will come back again for sure!’ A stay at the Anemomilos windmill home is $250 a night.
