Whether you travel to broaden your mind, come into contact with other cultures, or trek in uncharted lands, it all starts with somewhere to hang your cap. Superstar Airbnbs give you the feeling of home even when you’re light-years from the motherland. Showcasing groundbreaking architecture, innovative uses of outer space, and surreal locations around the globe, these are the most extraordinary Airbnbs to stay in on Earth.
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The Kellogg Doolittle House – Joshua Tree, California, United States
The OG OMG Airbnb, this otherworldly house on the rim of Joshua Tree National Park will turn your eyes into saucers. Crafted organically from marble, glass, and copper at the hands of the superhuman architect Ken Kellogg, every curve and fixture will challenge your perception. Soak up desert scenery and astral displays from the sunken lounge, the largest bed on Earth, or the external cowboy tubs.
Six guests, three bedrooms Price: $6,500 per night
Flee civilization and touch down at this sustainable spaceship pod on the shore of the Sound of Mull. A bubble window and string of portholes mean you can gaze out to galaxies far, far away in all seasons. Pick up a bottle of whiskey at the Nc’nean Distillery and you can wet your whistle in front of the fireplace or out on the porch as the constellations light up the sky.
One of the most unique Airbnbs in suburban Tokyo, this concept home near the Ghibli Museum is a fantasyland of texture, color, and shape. Fire poles rise from the bumpy floor while the sphere playroom flips your sense of gravity. A total of 14 bold colors are used and traditional futon beds may be unrolled in whichever room takes your fancy.
Built solely with recycled and natural materials, the earth-friendly lodge is one of the best Airbnbs near Machu Picchu. The terrestrial color scheme and abundant greenery have a calming influence while the greenhouse design allows for spectacular moon-risings over the glaciers. Your pals back home will be green with envy when they hear how close you slept to Seven Wonder of the World.
The whole clan is guaranteed to have a blast at this cosmic vacation rental near Orlando’s universally acclaimed amusement parks. The control panel backs onto a bowling alley, arcade room, and home cinema while the yard features a swimming pool and hot tub. Each compartment is individually decorated, giving you the choice of bedding down in a missile or snuggling up in a makeshift crater.
Sixteen+ guests, fourteen bedrooms Price: $799 per night
One of the most ethereal Airbnbs on Earth, this solar-powered cottage in remote Iceland is made entirely of glass and wood. Cross your fingers that the northern lights will dance above while you slumber. Just the tonic during those icy winters, the open-air hot tub simmers all year. Located on a lava desert, you’ll be over the moon when you eye the views of the Hekla, Eyjafjallajökull, Bláfjöll, and Tindfjöll volcanoes.
No matter how far your voyages take you, this flying saucer Airbnb will ensure you feel right at home. Created by the Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, the restored Futuro Pod is fitted out with kitsch furnishings and sci-fi chic gimmicks, Even if the spaceship wasn’t grounded at the UFO resort, there’s little reason to take it out for a spin. The grounds contain a private pool, hot tub, and barrel sauna for all your recreational needs.
One of the best Airbnbs for a truly down-to-earth vacation, this idyllic Hobbit hole is burrowed into the banks of the Columbia River Gorge. Inspired by Tolkien’s Bag End, entry is via the trademark circular door painted forest green. The cozy underground dwelling is warmed by a fireplace and comes with a custom wooden bathtub for two. Extra-furrestial friends are welcome at this fantastical pad.
What this levitating Airbnb lacks in walls, it makes up for in character. The tower spans four floors overlooking a peaceful Caribbean Sea community. Hummingbirds orbit the upper levels while reef fish and stingrays glide below. A hodgepodge of artwork and collected antiques, books, and board games provide hours of entertainment. When you’re ready to pursue earthbound activities, it’s a short trip by dinghy.
Shaped by a catastrophic volcanic eruption, the lunar landscapes of Santorini are out of this world. Ideal for a romantic hideaway or a family vacation, this traditional Cycladic dwelling is carved into the caldera and features a cave pool and hot tub plus a hammam. Typical Greek breakfast essentials are provided to enjoy while radiating on the sun-drenched terrace. Santorini’s world-famous sunsets call for looting the property’s wine cellar.
This seven-bedroom beachfront villa near Rio de Janeiro has more than enough space for the whole jet-setting family. An astronomical backyard comes with a pool, tennis court, and private beach with stellar views of the bay. Dock your craft in the helipad for the duration of your stay and splash out on a rental of the Azimut Fly 68 yacht. A local captain will beam you around all the secret coves.
Fourteen guests, seven bedrooms Price: $9,794 per night
Perfect for a Balinese honeyearth, this handcrafted villa is fashioned from bamboo, wood, and stone. Days may be spent lounging on the hanging net marveling at views over the rice paddies or floating in a bath overflowing with petals. The hosts are on hand to arrange such earthly pursuits as volcano trekking, white water rafting, and guided canang rituals. The use of drones and other identified flying objects is restricted to mornings.
On the cusp of Kruger National Park, this is one of the best Airbnbs on Earth for visitors mystified by savanna species. Zebra, wildebeest, and kudu frequent the backyard while the hosts can arrange guided safari excursions. Designed to work in harmony with the natural surroundings, interiors are sparsely decorated with woven textiles and tribal sculptures. The patio is furnished with a breakfast bar, braai, and plunge pool.
One of the wackiest Airbnbs on Earth, this ruby-red funnel once played a central role in Harlingen’s shipping past. Nowadays, the hopper has been reimagined as a romantic suite with a Jacuzzi overlooking the world’s largest tidal flats system – the Wadden Sea. Over the course of two daily high and low tides, you’ll be starstruck at how the landscape ebbs and flows from mudflats to flooding. Close to the Terschelling Dark Sky Park, you’ll enjoy an elevated view of the twilight sky.
Combining a captivating Mediterranean setting with ambitious architecture, the “Dragon House” appears to crawl out of the mountainside of the Costa Tropical. The jaws of the dragon hold the infinity pool while the bedrooms rest in its eyes. The Japanese-style living room and tiered seating form the heart of the home. Winter skiing in the Sierra Nevada will rock your world.
