Who can resist the enticing lure of a city break? Gentle on the pocket and the holiday allowance, a place in the beating heart of a vibrant city is the perfect way to indulge your senses with brand-new sights, sounds and tastes.
Obviously, you’ll find plenty of places to stay in just about any city you care to explore. But we always go one better at Host Unusual, which is why our list of top city breaks is crammed with completely unique, once-in-a-holiday-lifetime places you’ll love just as much as the city they’re in!
We’re talking Dutch cranes, Swedish planes, British barges and gleaming Aussie Airstreams situated on rooftops. Not only are all these places seriously Instagrammable, but whether you want to be in the buzzing city hub or relax slightly off the beaten track, we’ve got you well and truly covered.
Amsterdam – The Yays
Time for a taste of the high life! Ideal for those who love discovering new parts of oft-travelled cities, you’ll find high-end, high-situated crane apartment The Yays (above and main picture) on Amsterdam’s KNSM Island. An emerging creative hub, this is a district still undiscovered by most tourists.
Gorgeously renovated, you’ll not only have the luxury of far-reaching views from your stylish three-storey crane, you’ll have a concierge service, housekeeping…and a Priority Pass that ensures you’ll get to see the best of the city.
London – Boutique Barges
Fancy feeding the ducks right from your window, as you listen to the gently rhythmic sound of water lapping against the riverbank…in the heart of Central London?
The two Boutique Barges, named Velvet Morning and Barbara, have been carefully refurbished and lovingly decorated with high-quality fixtures, antique décor and comfortably quirky touches, along with the latest in technology to make you feel truly at home on the waterway.
Better still, your riverside location offers close public transport links that take full advantage of the very best London has to offer!
Bristol – Brooks Rooftop Rockets
Groovy urban glamping lives in Bristol, with a supercool selection of Airstream-style caravans on the roof of a boutique hotel in the heart of the old town.
Your rooftop position guarantees the most incredible views of Bristol’s cityscape, with close proximity to the city’s shops and attractions. Meanwhile, your Airstream is equipped with homely touches that include Designer Guild curtains, cosy cushions and a Hans Grohe eco-shower.
Melbourne – NOTEL
This time, six vintage Airstreams have been transported to a seriously Instagram-worthy airstream ‘trailer park’, quirkily nestled on a rooftop car park in the heart of Melbourne.
Teeming with tech, you’ll find WiFi and a ‘virtual concierge’ waiting to greet you inside your trailer suite, in the form of an iPad packed with local information and complimentary Netflix. No cooking facilities are a bonus – it means you’ve got no choice but to get out and immerse yourselves in Melbourne!
If you’re in the mood for a really special stay, the one-and-only Airstream with Benefits includes an open-air spa and a secluded deck that overlooks the city’s bustling Finders Lane.
Stockholm – Jumbostay
Grounded at Sweden’s Stockholm Arlanda Airport, this has to be the world’s coolest hostel. Here you can sleep in an original Boeing 747 and experience a sky-high holiday…without ever leaving the ground!
Ingeniously modified, you’ll find a range of unique sleeping cabins, a café and even an incredible observation deck running along the wing. Try the luxury Black Box suite if you prefer travelling first-class.
Not only that, there’ll be no seats reclining in front of you, and no flimsy blankets. With 33 rooms and 76 real beds on board, you can look forward to cosy nights of sleep throughout your stay. Oh, and a mere 25 minute train journey takes you right into the heart of the city.
Edinburgh – Edinburgh Green Boat
Friendly, wide-beamed Edinburgh Green Boat stands right out with her cheery green exterior, and with cosy living spaces and two bedroom cabins she’s perfect for a family break in Scotland’s captivating and historic capital city.
Moored in the Fountainbridge area, you’re perfectly located to take in famed attractions including Edinburgh Castle and the old town. With fishing rods and foldaway bikes included, you won’t be short of new ways to spend your time.
Berlin – Hüettenplast
Brought to life from a former factory in Neukölln, this self-created ‘agency for everything’ brings together skill, community and imagination.
Comprising an events space, a lush garden (complete with swing and hammock) and a relaxing sauna, you’ll be able to choose your imaginatively-styled accommodation from a selection of individually-named caravans and hand-built wooden cabins.
Communal showers and toilets are just a short stroll away, together with a relaxing lounge for you to chat to all those new friends you’ve made over drinks.
Rome – Roma Airstream Park
Live the American dream in a gleaming ‘movie star trailer’ Airstream under the stars…in Italy’s iconic capital.
Located along the Via Flaminia and at the foot of lush Vejo Park, Roma Airstream Park is set in a blissfully tranquil oasis, complete with a garden, a restaurant and a swimming pool with solarium – yet you’re just a stone’s throw from all the liveliness and bustle you’d expect from a capital city.
On balmy summer evenings, your private outdoor terrace, complete with comfy wooden furniture and adjustable shade, is the ideal setting to enjoy life with plenty of good wine, good food and good conversation. Well, they do say “when in Rome!”
York – Lendal Tower
Make your visit to historic York even more special with a stay in Lendal Tower – your very own medieval fortification with a five-star Gold Award from Visit England!
Set beside Lendal Bridge, right on the banks of the River Ouse, Lendal Tower enjoys panoramic views and a fantastic location in York’s Old Town.
Many heritage features remain in this stylish restoration for six, including thick stone walls, gorgeous wooden floors, and heavy timber beams overhead.
Enjoy a view-filled breakfast from the top of the tower, then continue the historical theme with a tour of The Treasurer’s House, the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall, and of course, York Minster itself.
Barcelona – Retrome
With its Catalan art-nouveau styled lobby, artfully decorated rooms, and un-touristy position in the city’s Quadrat D’Or (Golden Square) heritage district, Retrome Barcelona is your golden holiday haven.
If you can tear yourselves away from your sumptuous vintage-styled suite, the Retrome Café and Lounge is a lively, convivial and warmly welcoming space to relax and socialise with other guests, swapping holiday stories as you enjoy tasty tapas and Rioja.
Ideal for city explorers, Retrome Barcelona is situated on a street that leads straight to the sea in one direction, and mountains in the other – with stunning period buildings and fine Catalan architecture dotted along your way.
Well, we hope you’ve enjoyed our truly Host Unusual selection of city break ideas. If we’ve whetted your appetite for more, enjoy a browse through our many listings. Wherever you want to go, we guarantee you’ll find somewhere completely out of the ordinary to stay!
