While we love room service and the fluffy white robes on the back of the door at a good hotel sometimes getting away from it all needs something a little more private and innovative.
Whether you want to sleep in a tree or float on a river we’ve got the perfect unique holiday homes to help you ditch the hotel.
Don’t miss your guide to the best budget hotels from our friends at Mr & Mrs Smith
What to See
Mirrorcube
Camouflage yourself with nature in the Mirrorcube suspended from the forest canopy. The Mirrorcube is located in northern Sweden and reflects its surroundings due to mirrored outer walls, which are infrared to prevent birds from crashing. Inside the cube has two levels and plenty of viewing holes.
Sheepskin Treehouse
A treehouse tent accessed by its own little bridge. Inside it’s a cosy little pod for two people to sleep under canvas suspended from branches. Located at the Red Kite Barn in the Brecon Beacons the woodlands and scenery are so beautiful you won’t be able to pull yourself away from your zip up window.
E’Terra Samara
In the white cedar forest of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve the settings of this truly unique Canadian retreat couldn’t be more breathtaking. The Samara project is a light-weight pod built in keeping with the trees surrounds. During the morning light streams through the open end and wing-like canopy ceiling.
Ecopod retreat
On the east coast of Scotland the Ecopods are surrounded by rhodedendrons and birch trees. The domes have a luxurious interior with sheepskin rugs and modern furniture. The pods also have hot tubs and a deck looking out over the quiet waters of Loch Linnhe.
Bivouac hut
A beautiful rustic hidey hole in Yorkshire. Hand-crafted wooden interiors with verandahs and rocking chairs and rustic textiles make this an ideal getaway with the family. Set in the 20,000-acre Swinton Estate you’ll never run out of adventures.
Windmill Villas
With panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, this series of little windmills on the north coast of Santorini are so cute and cosy. With private pools and covered alfresco dining spots they make a great break with kids or private holiday for two. The interiors are cosy and bespokely decorated to accommodate their circular structure.
The Majestic Bus
Home-spun charm is the order of the day at this converted holiday home come bus. Inside the wooden kitchen, carved table around the steering wheel, wood burning stove and sofas make for a wonderful little bolthole. Through the sliding bus door there’s a deck and fire pit for summer evenings and the rolling green hills of Hay-on-Wye.
Modern Houseboat Berlin
Located atop Spree River in the eastern part of Berlin, this has to be one of the coolest houseboats in the world. In typical trendy Berlin style the minimalist approach works well with the container-shaped floating room with one full side of the boat being glass fronted. Polishes floors, wood burning stove and chic furniture make a really modern and unique holiday home.