In an era when even our breakfasts can be algorithmically suggested, travellers increasingly crave the delight of genuine surprise. That’s where Host Unusual steps in – a rebellious, shamelessly quirky haven for those who prefer their holidays with a twist of the unexpected.

Forget beige hotel rooms with polite wallpaper; Host Unusual offers accommodations that tear up the rulebook, immerse guests in almost unimaginable ways and, frankly, make the world a much more exciting, alluring and vibrant place to uncover. Think treetop hideaways and ‘invisible’ accommodations, decommissioned lighthouses turned luxe suites, converted chapels, vintage buses and windmills that would make Don Quixote pause mid-tilt. Every property comes with a story, a plot twist and more Insta-worthy angles that you can shake a selfie stick at.

*Dial up the vibrancy, Starseed House Marrakesh*

Founded by Alex Wilson and Dawn Crawford in Essex, Host Unusual started as a love letter to Britain’s quirky, character-filled properties – but quickly became a magnet for the marvelously odd and outrageously inventive, with a global reach and uncompromising eye for the exceptional. The site is less a booking platform and more a curated museum of architectural misfits, each space an invitation to step out of the mundane and into the delightfully peculiar. Frankly, we can’t get enough of it.

The End of Ordinary Escapes, Where the Stay is the Story

The rental properties on Host Unusual’s platform aren’t just places to sleep – they’re experiences designed to provoke laughter, awe and their fair share of raised eyebrows. This isn’t a case of style over substance, however; each property is also a hub from which to explore some of the world’s most fascinating corners… just, you know, with the kind of quirky energy that makes a trip all the more unforgettable.

Whether you’re clambering up a converted silo, glamping in a historic fire engine, or bunking in a 19th-century military tower, each stay promises a story worth telling. After all, who wants to return from a holiday with nothing more exciting than a postcard? Host Unusual proves that in today’s travel landscape, novelty isn’t a gimmick, it’s the key to unlocking the ultimate luxury. For those brave enough to trade the conventional for the whimsical, it offers a passport to absolute wonderment.

Read on to discover some of our absolute favourite properties, each more captivating than the last, and each awaiting your discovery.

Faro Capo Spartivento, Sardinia

*Blissful isolation, Lighthouse rental in Sardinia*

Who hasn’t wanted to experience the romantic isolation of the lighthouse keeper’s life? Perched on a rugged promontory at Sardinia’s southern tip, Faro Capo Spartivento is the sort of place that makes you feel you’ve arrived not just on holiday, but at the edge of the world. Built in 1856 for the Italian Navy, the still-operational lighthouse has been transformed into an intimate, design-led retreat that balances historical gravitas with unapologetic romance.

Suites blend antique touches with crisp contemporary comforts, while outside, terraces, gazebos and a sea-facing infinity pool conspire to keep your gaze firmly fixed on the horizon. There are jacuzzis poised above the waves, long sun-drenched afternoons, and evenings that unfold beneath vast, star-heavy skies. Sleeping only a handful of guests, it trades bustle for blissful isolation – less hotel, more private hideaway with a particularly good backstory.

Invisible House, Joshua Tree National Park

Ready to leave the world behind? Set on 90 acres of Californian high desert bordering Joshua Tree National Park, Invisible House is exactly what it sounds like: a vast mirrored structure that seems to vanish into its surroundings, leaving nothing but sky, sand and the occasional existential thought. The low-slung, glass-clad “skyscraper” reflects the landscape so completely that the architecture feels less built than conjured.

*The world’s greatest vanishing act at Invisible House, Joshua Tree*

Designed by film producer Chris Hanley with architect Tomas Osinski, the four-bedroom retreat pairs minimalist spectacle with eco-minded engineering, achieving a near-zero carbon footprint while showcasing desert views from virtually every angle.

Inside, the mood is part luxury villa, part futuristic set piece: floor-to-ceiling sliding doors dissolve the boundary between indoors and out, while a showstopping 100-foot indoor swimming pool runs the length of the house like a private aquatic runway. With space for eight guests, vast entertaining areas and hiking trails across its private acreage, it’s equal parts architectural statement and serene escape… proof that sometimes the most dramatic place to stay is the one that almost disappears.

Manshausen, Norway

Here’s one that’s rocketed its way up my bucket list: Set across 55 acres in Norway’s Steigen archipelago, Manshausen is less a hotel than a carefully staged encounter with raw Nordic nature. Conceived by polar explorer Børge Ousland, the island retreat was designed to explore the “harmony between people and nature,” pairing adventure with contemplative calm.

Architect Snorre Stinessen’s award-winning sea cabins sit lightly along the shoreline, clad in natural materials and fronted by vast glazing that draws the drama of mountains, water and shifting Arctic light straight indoors. Their placement—some perched on a jetty, others elevated on rocky ledges—was carefully studied to withstand extreme weather while minimising environmental impact.

The effect is intentionally immersive: compact, minimalist living spaces designed so the scenery becomes the main event, whether that’s white-sand coves, sea-eagle sightings, or the Northern Lights unfurling above the fjord.

Qii House, Victoria, Australia

Tucked into the lush rainforest of Victoria’s Great Otway National Park near the Great Ocean Road, Qii House is a bold, architect‑designed escape that feels part Zen retreat, part art installation.

*Unbridled energy and enduring relaxation in Victoria*

Originally crafted in the 1970s and lovingly restored, this four‑bedroom sanctuary sleeps up to eight amid vertical timber, cathedral ceilings and whimsically curved “fishbowl” windows that frame the wild canopy beyond. Inside, pops of colour and thoughtful design details give way to untamed outdoor spaces, from a sunset deck to Japanese‑inspired gardens and an indulgent bath house, all inviting you to swap screens for serenity.

Walk the property’s own rainforest circuit, listen to birdsong by the fire pit, or simply unwind on expansive decks that capture every shaft of light filtering through towering gums. Equal parts design showcase and eco‑minded hideaway, Qii House feels like a stylish meditation on stillness, delivered with a gleefully madcap attitude that’s unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Airship 2, Scottish Highlands

Tucked into a private four‑acre site in the Scottish Highlands, AirShip 2 is exactly the kind of stay that makes you wonder why more hotels don’t look like spacecraft. This gleaming aluminium pod‑for‑two was designed by Roderick James Architects with an informal, whimsical spirit and panoramic “dragonfly” windows framing breathtaking views over the Sound of Mull towards Tobermory and Ardnamurchan Point.

*A bold new perspective on the Scottish Highlands*

Inside, the compact but cleverly arranged space feels cosy rather than cramped: a snug living area with wood‑burner and books, a well‑equipped kitchenette, and a king‑size bed positioned so you can greet the day without even getting up. Evenings can be spent watching storms roll in or gazing at stars from the deck, while well‑behaved dogs are welcome if you want a four‑legged co‑pilot. A romantic, secluded retreat, this property sees architecture and spectacular Highland scenery collaborate to create a stay that feels as space-age and cinematic as it does intimate.

Space Conker, French Alps

*Anywhere out of this world, The Space Conker*

Set phasers to stun: Space Conker in Saint‑Gervais‑les‑Bains is a gleaming mirrored orb that looks like a sci‑fi escape pod crash‑landed among whispering trees. The spherical retreat reflects its surroundings so seamlessly that it almost disappears into the forest… until you realise that inside lies a cosy, other‑worldly hideaway for two.

Panoramic views sweep across the Chaîne des Aravis and distant Mont‑Blanc, transforming every glance out of the stargazing windows into a miniature epic. During the day you can hike, explore nearby Les Houches’ ski slopes or simply get wonderfully lost among nature; at night, a handcrafted globe stove and a sofa that cleverly converts into a bed ensure warmth and comfort under the vast Alpine sky.

Outside, a furnished deck invites long evenings by the firepit or fondue stand, while pure mountain spring water keeps things refreshingly simple. Space Conker leans into its off‑grid spirit – it’s a romantic nook where design, wilderness and a dash of cosmic whimsy come together in spectacular and brilliantly retrofuturist fashion.

Starseed House, Marrakesh

Perched in the heart of Marrakesh, Morocco, Starseed House is a private riad‑retreat that feels as though someone painted an Arabian dream in high‑saturation colour, dialled up the fantastical even more and then invited the world to stay in it.

*Matching Morocco’s vivid energy in psychedelic style, Starseed House*

Crafted with the help of Moroccan artisans, the property bursts with vibrant textures, hand‑painted walls and playful details that feel both opulent and joyful. Its two bespoke bedrooms and convertible Palm Room mean up to six guests can settle in amid custom lighting, sequinned panels, cosy carpets and a ceiling that evokes a sunset sky on psychedelics in the best imaginable way.

It gets even better: True magic arrives on the multi‑level rooftop. Sun‑soaked by day and star‑studded by night, it’s scattered with comfy seating, a selenite‑fronted fireplace and dreamy vistas over the medina’s terracotta rooftops. Marrakesh is a vivid and extravagant city at the best of times, and Starseed House allows you to take those vibes up to eleven and beyond.

Book your unusual escape here

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