The more hotels we stay in, the more we value quirky, unusual and exciting places to stay. Don’t get me wrong. I love luxury 5-star hotels, but it’s a cool, quirky place that I’ll remember for years to come.
There are plenty of unusual glamping options here in the UK. Here are some unusual weekend getaways you might want to try. I’ve been lucky enough to stay in some really quirky places around the world.
It was hard to narrow it down to five, but here are some of my favorites…
1. Jungle Bay Resort, Dominica
All the places we stayed in Dominica were amazing, but Jungle Bay Resort was the most quirky and my favorite.
These wooden cabins are built on high stilts in the forest, giving them the feel of a treehouse. Each hut overlooks the ocean and has a small veranda where a hammock can swing in the breeze.
Jungle Bay’s focus is on health and well-being, so there’s plenty of healthy food, morning yoga classes, and plenty of hikes to nearby waterfalls.
2. Great Huts, Jamaica
Imagine staying in a small outdoor hut made of bamboo and stone. Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the incredibly blue Jamaican waters, it is surrounded by trees and plants. It’s rustic but stylish inside, like a luxurious version of the Flintstones’ house. The bathroom is surrounded by trees outside, but the leaves are so thick that no one sees it. At the edge of the cliff, there is a huge bathtub that looks like it has been carved into the surrounding stones. If you fill your bath with cold water every morning, it will be very warm in the evening, making it a perfect place to sit and watch the sunset.
Yes, this place is a rustic paradise and quite quirky.
See more: A photographic journey through Jamaica
3. Treehouse in Wales, UK
It was just a few weeks ago that we stayed in this amazing treehouse in Wales. We often talk about ‘getting back to nature’ and ‘switching off and relaxing’ and this is the perfect place to do it.
There is no electricity in the treehouse, so all you need is candles, a wood burner, and a gas stove for your stay.
This is one of the few genuine treehouses in the UK, as most are huts on stilts. Stilt huts are super cool, but this one is a childhood dream come true.
A wooden staircase spirals up a tree trunk deep in the Dovey Valley. If you don’t know where to look, you won’t even know it’s there. Stairs lead to a rickety bridge, and the treehouse is a small pod nestled in the high branches of a tree. From here, you can enjoy stunning views in the morning while being woken up by the surrounding birds.
Read more: Stay in a treehouse in Wales
4. Moroccan Tent, Azul Fit Retreat, Fuerteventura
I stayed in this amazing Moroccan tent while doing a yoga, pilates, and detox retreat at Azure Fit. It was such a wonderful, relaxing, inspiring and energizing week, but one of the things that made it so special was the tent.
The tent is tucked away in the back of the garden of the villa, and the inside is surprisingly spacious. Many guests choose to stay in villas so it’s not for everyone, but I loved staying in a tent. There was a huge comfy couch, cute tea lights, and exotic lamps that gave it a magical glow.
Since it was a detox retreat, the nights were often early, and I loved sneaking off to my tent to drink tea and read by candlelight.
Read more: Yoga and Detox Retreat at Azul Fit
5. Bamboo Huts, Koh Lanta, Thailand
I had to include these wonderful cabins in my list, but unfortunately they no longer exist. Not long after I mentioned it here, they were demolished and a large hotel built. I don’t know what the hotel is like, but I can’t imagine it being as beautiful as this gorgeous little beach bungalow.
My boyfriend and I found these huts while exploring the area on our scooters. We fell in love with the place and couldn’t leave, staying for over a week. We chose a basic hut with just a bed, ceiling fan, shower and toilet, but what else did we need? The price was around £8 a night, which seemed expensive at the time!
It’s a shame there isn’t a place for other travelers to enjoy, but I’m sure there are other hidden gems all over Thailand.
Now, please tell everyone. Where is the coolest, quirkiest, most unusual place you have ever stayed in or would like to stay in the future?
I can see my list of things I want to do getting quite long…