Hammocks, Vans, And Treehouses: Airbnb’s Hidden Gems

Whether you’re on a shoestring budget or spending top dollar, Airbnb has wild, weird, and wacky lodging geared to the outdoorsy.

It can be dull scrolling through page after page of travel accommodation listings. But for those willing to spend a little time searching, sites like Airbnb offer more than just rooms and homes.

Trailers, vans, tree homes, even backyard hammocks—you can find “lodging” that’s perfect for outdoors enthusiasts. And while some stays mark the height of luxury, others are easy on the travel budget.

Airstreams

Next to a tent, an Airstream is about the most quintessential camper home. The trademark silver-bullet pull-behinds can cost north of $100,000, but you don’t have to buy one.

Some Airstreamers offer up their iconic aluminum trailers when they’re not using them. And a weekend stay could cost just a couple hundred bucks.

This “Super Cute Airstream” rests in Wimberly, Texas. It’s $130 per night, accommodates two, and sits on 10 acres.

Or, for a more destination-oriented retreat, the “Malibu Dream Airstream” sits perched on a bluff with its own lookout deck on the coast. The ocean views, surf access, and nearby hiking trails come with a higher price, though: $500 per night.

Don’t have hundreds to spend on a weekend retreat? This “Motorhome standing in the backyard” in Portugal runs just $42 a night. Granted, it doesn’t have the romance or glamor of an Airstream. But what it lacks in charm, it makes up for with a built-in first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

Treehouses

Airbnb also has accommodations that combine the outdoors with the joys of being a kid again. Many people make their lodge-style guest homes stand out from the rest by building it into a tree.

“Papa’s Treehouse” in Bozeman, Mont., for example, offers a two-bedroom cabin perched in the trees for $135 a night. The novelty extends beyond the branches too; there’s no running water or electricity, and only a half-bathroom with a compost toilet! And you can feel free to make your own entry password.

Another option is the “Most Wish-Listed Property In The World” for 2016: Atlanta’s “Secluded Intown Treehouse.” Three separate segments connect via rope bridges: the living room, deck, and two-person bedroom.

Be aware however, the treehouse is open to the elements and there’s no heat or air conditioning. And, at $375 per night, you might just want to build your own tree-cation home.

Hammocks

For the frugal dirtbag Airbnb shopper, there are rentable hammocks. That’s right, why spend $100 once for your very own hammock when you can pay to use someone else’s every night?

Copenhagen’s “Hammock In Elm Tree” is actually a hostel hammock community. Each one-person hammock runs $27 a night. This listing also takes the crown for the least amount of extras. Literally every amenity on Airbnb is unavailable here; no internet, no parking, and no bathroom.

Finally, our selection for Airbnb’s Best Place To Meet A Guy Named Ed. The “Hammock On Backyard Deck of Wallingford Craftsman” near Seattle is just that: Some guy’s hammock on his deck.

Ed claims to be “a very social person,” and in addition to full use of his backyard, he offers access to his kitchen and bathroom. For $45 a night, you also get wifi, a dryer, and parking.

And of course, the opportunity to meet Ed.

This is just a sampling of Airbnb’s quirky stays. Sadly, there’s no search feature that allows you to look for motor homes, treehouses, or hammocks. But if you know where you want to go and how much you can spend, scroll through the listings—you just might find a hidden gem.