I love coolstays.com. They're a great resource for, well, cool stays — unusual, or at least not your average hotel accommodations. That would include anything from dude ranches to treehouses.
They’ve just put together a bucket list Top 10 for 2017. If you decide to book one of these places, consider bringing along a medium-size trunk — I’m a little too big to squeeze into the smallest size.
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Manshausen Sea Cabins, Nordskot, Norway: Off the coast of Northern Norway is a modern adventure and exploration resort. Cabins sleep four, and prices start at $245/night, manshausen.no/en/
ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, Iceland: "Where everything meets nothing" is the catchphrase, and this luxury adventure hotel is out there, all right. A half an hour or more outside Reykjavik, heading toward Nesjavellir, you'll see lava flows, and rocks, and then the spewing and billowing of the major geothermal activity on this part of the island. The "nothing" means it's nice and dark when the sun goes down, and just right for catching the Northern Lights. Eco-friendly luxury and ultimate relaxation are worth the trip, but the Northern Lights will be what you remember most. Each room sleeps up to four. From $106 a night, ioniceland.is.
Bay House Studio, Kommetjie (near Cape Town), South Africa: Well, this is quite the beach house. Modern, bright white, and just outside the buzz of Cape Town. You can chill out here and be a world away, gazing from any room out onto the pool and the coastline to Table Mountain. This is the place to suggest when your grandparents offer to take you all on a multigenerational adventure. From $513/night. This is a privately owned property, and you can book it through Coolstays (coolstays.com/property/bay-house-studio/18199) or Vacation Rentals By Owner, vrbo.com/6889004ha.
Encuentro Guadalupe, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico: The resort is in the middle of an ecological reserve and wine country in central Mexico. Four per room max. From $265/night, grupoencuentro.com.mx/.
Dukley Beach Residence, Budva, Montenegro: Apartments, gorgeous on their own, are better with the gorgeous views of the bay. The place comes with a private beach. Sleeps two to six. From $230/night. dukley.com/en.
Fogo Island Inn, Joe Batt's Arm, Newfoundland: A beautifully designed hotel offering unbeatable views of this amazing island situated in the Labrador Current along "Iceberg Alley." Stay in luxury, while being part of the Fogo Island community — 2,300 or so hardy souls. Sleeps two to four. From $917/night, fogoislandinn.ca.
Lighthouse Grebeni, Dubrovnik, Croatia: The century-old lighthouse not only offers accommodations, but you get your own private island in the deal, too. A speedboat can take you to the mainland — you don't want to miss Dubrovnik and a walk on its wall. Sleeps 10. From $356/night, and you can book through coolstays, coolstays.com/property/lighthouse-grebeni/18287, or through airbnb, airbnb.com/rooms/16060233.
El Caracol, Lledo, Aragon, Spain: This private family home offers views of the treetops and landscape beyond. The house itself is an architectural treat: a spacious, glass-fronted dome decorated with contemporary furniture, full of light, to bring the outdoors in. But located in the middle of eight acres of Mediterranean pine forest, and the confluence of two rivers, it offers plenty of opportunity for recreation alfresco, such as a swim at the Balneario de Fontcalda — a limestone gorge with deep natural pools. And nearby is the "Cathedral of Wine" — no, really, it's a brick temple dedicated to the drink. Sleeps eight. From $190/night. Go to coolstays to get the scoop on booking, coolstays.com/property/el-caracol/17778.
Villa Maggona, Maggona, Sri Lanka: A tranquil haven in Sri Lanka's Golden Triangle. Spend the day on the beach or relaxing by the pool in the tropical green garden. Sleeps 10. From $207/night, villamaggona.com.
Keemala, Phuket, Thailand: A wonderland of uniquely designed villas, each with a private pool, set in the rainforest of Kamala on Phuket Island. Sleeps two. From $440/night, keemala.com.
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