Every year our destination experts find truly extraordinary places to add to our collection; from luxurious tents to lighthouse-like hideaways and villas shaped like a cloud. After all, our hashtag is #whydoordinary so it makes sense for us to have a wild and wonderful collection of unique, one-of-a-kind holiday homes up our sleeves. This is our list of 10 quirky places to stay this year.
Sleeps: 4-6
Price from: £98pppn | $125pppn
Staying in a cloud in Bali sounds pretty dreamy, right? The architecture of this villa is unlike any we’ve ever seen before – and it doesn’t just stop with the exterior. Inside you’ll find striking modern touches, from the hexagonal dining tables to the minimalist style… and the views of the Indian Ocean from the bedrooms are to die for! Take a dip in the infinity pool, read a book on one of the loungers or ask the driver to take you out to explore the surrounding area of West Bali.
Sleeps: 6-10
Price from: £105pppn | $134pppn
Perched on a clifftop overlooking the beach and azure ocean, this lighthouse-like stunner is Castillo de Arena, a superb spot for 6-10 people to enjoy a sunny holiday near the lovely town of Villajoyosa. The inside is warm and homely with chunky furniture and calming places to relax, but it’s the outside that makes this place special. The beautiful terrace area with pool, palms and a bar is perfect for enjoying beneath the sunshine, and becomes even more beautifully atmospheric when the sun sets when you can fire up the barbie and enjoy dinners al fresco.
Sleeps: 8
Price from: £89pppn | $113pppn
This artistically designed villa wouldn’t look out of place on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces! Sitting on the hillside of Cala Vadella and overlooking the stunning countryside views, Villa Acuario has a main villa and two separate bungalows, so everyone can get a bit of privacy. Popping with bright colours inside and out, and full-length windows in the rooms, you can fully appreciate your surroundings! Let’s be honest, you’ll struggle to find another villa like it (and that’s before mentioning the tree trunks in some of the rooms!).
Sleeps: 8
Price from: £59pppn | $75pppn
Now, we couldn’t write a blog about some of our most quirky places to stay without including at least one of our gorgeous Trulli houses. Conical shaped and overflowing with character, if you wanted to experience a traditional, authentic Italian holiday then this is the place to do it. The interior of this stone-walled delight is filled with shabby chic furnishings, making it even more charming; outdoors there’s a private swimming pool and dining terrace surrounded by nature… seriously photo-worthy.
Sleeps: 12
Price from: £51pppn | $64pppn
Rising impressively through the trees of the New Forest National Park, this historic home is the perfect spot for a break in southern England. This former brickworks is chock full of character with original wood beams and that fantastic brick chimney, all the while containing modern comforts. Its enviable position beside the river Beaulieu means outdoor pursuits are in abundance too, which is sure to please 12 nature-loving guests.
Sleeps: 8
Price from: £322pppn | $409pppn
This thoroughly unique home is really something. It’s an architectural gem that will leave you agog both inside and outside, with plush furnishings, lashings of terracotta and artisan pieces, as well as those striking ant-hill-like structures, you’ll probably find yourself just staring at the home during your stay! What’s more, it’s set on a 275-hectare nature reserve where animals roam freely, including a herd of giraffes. Enjoy the stunning ocean vistas that are totally uninterrupted… except maybe by your long-necked neighbours!
Sleeps: 15-18
Price from: £27pppn | $34pppn
Set within the ruins of a medieval castle and dating back to the 12th century, you better pack sandals because this one will really blow your socks off! Surrounded by pine trees and a pretty river running beside, you’ll feel like you’re in a real fairytale at Chateau De Baloigne. Sporting French decor and 21st-century touches, there’s everything you need for a comfortable stay while being immersed in the incredible history of the building – don’t miss the original dungeon below!
Sleeps: 6-14
Price from: £74pppn | $94pppn
Perfectly nestled in the heart of Marrakech, traditional meets uber luxe at Riad Gypsum. From decorative interiors and intricate touches to the dazzling courtyard and enchanting roof terrace, every aspect of this quirky villa is utterly beautiful. Relax in the hammam and enjoy treatments in the spa, star gaze on the terrace or take a trip to the breathtaking Atlas Mountains with your own tour guide.
Sleeps: 10
Price from: £74pppn | $94pppn
This has got to be one of our most quirky places to stay! This magical holiday home is on the gorgeous island of Corfu and is all about outdoor living with an array of outdoor spaces and terraces, from the rooftop terrace to the shaded dining veranda – all benefiting from magnificent panoramic sea or mountain views. What really makes this villa stand out from the rest is the distinctive stone tower rising above the infinity pool, which everyone will fight over because there’s a bedroom and terrace in there which benefits from unrivalled sea views!
Sleeps: 2
Price from: £52pppn | $67pppn
This is the perfect villa for two of you to slow down and enjoy life. Set in the pretty coastal town of Akyaka, this is one of Turkey’s nine ‘slow towns’ where relaxation is very much encouraged. The home has a unique, hut-like quality with its quirky, shaggy grass roof, quaint and cooling interior design with lots of local natural wood, and, of course, there’s the lovely pool which you’ll both enjoy taking a plunge in beneath the Turquoise Coast’s beaming sun.
Feeling a one-of-a-kind villa stay this year? We’ve got even more quirky villas in our collection – just check them all out here! Alternatively, we’ve pulled together different lists of our fave quirky properties, below. Have a read, and if you want more info don’t hesitate to give our concierge team a shout.
The quirkiest chateaux in France
10 quirky chateaux in Southern France
Top 10 quirky villas for couples
Top 10 places you can live like a royal
Top 10 unusual places to stay in the UK
*Prices are correct at time of posting
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