Features

Brilliantly Unusual Bucket List Breaks for 2026

7 January 2026

A brand-new year is the perfect time for dreaming about the things you’ll do, the people you’ll meet, and the places you’ll go.

New destinations are a staple feature of many a bucket list (for the uninitiated, a ‘bucket list’ is a personal collection of everything you’d like to achieve in your lifetime). Yet teaming a new destination with an unusual place to stay will elevate your break to epic proportions – while allowing you to tick off TWO items on your bucket list in one fell swoop!

With that in mind, what follows are some of the most jaw-dropping, eye-catching retreats we’re lucky enough to list here at Host Unusual. For example, you could feast your senses on a showstopping private riad crafted by Moroccan artisans, or feast on traditional cuisine in a magnificent Bolivian ‘salt palace’.

In the UK, you can explore Wild Wales from the comfort of an off-grid timber cabin… ingeniously mounted on a Mitsubishi 4×4 for you to create your own adventures. Or bed down in the mesmeric Lake District, in a self-catering stable with a beautiful Friesian horse or a cute Shetland pony for company!

Browse the full sensational list right here (you’ll recognise some retreats from popular TV shows, too), and get ready to whittle that bucket list right down.

Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Starseed House | Marrakesh, Morocco

Starseed House

Marrakesh, Morocco

A jaw-dropping private riad crafted by Moroccan artisans, with a sun-drenched, multi-level rooftop and showstopping rooms that burst with colourful luxury, privately set within moments of Marrakesh’s vibrant spice market.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 6

From

£1,729 / night

The Boot

Tasman, Nelson, New Zealand

You've heard of the old woman who lived in a shoe, but have you ever actually imagined life in a fabulous piece of footwear? Wonder no longer at The Boot, a fairytale B&B on New Zealand's South Island!

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£170 / night

Parrot World Lodges

Crécy-la-Chapelle, Île-de-France

Sleep mesmerisingly close to the exotic birds and animals of the Amazonian rainforest, in a magical, jaw-dropping South American-inspired nature reserve set just outside Paris.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 4

From

£385 / night

Palacio de Sal

Salar de Uyuni, Potosi, Bolivia

This magnificent ‘salt palace' was created from the world's largest salt flat, complete with an Andean spa and traditional cuisine, for a memorable stay in southern Bolivia.

Bedrooms:

Sleeps: 2 (+1)

From

£135 / night

Bambu Indha

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

A natural boutique escape that encapsulates the beauty and spirit of Bali to blissful perfection, with jaw-dropping eco-retreats, home-grown cuisine, and sensory experiences to rejuvenate your soul.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 4

From

£256 /night

LV14 SULA Lightship

Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England

Escape to the water and enjoy a unique and scenic adult-only stay aboard a historic British Lightship, beautifully restored and enchantingly moored in the Gloucester Docks, in the Cotswolds.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 4

From

£166 night

The Mendocino Tree House

Mendocino, California, USA

An exquisite, design-led Californian tree-treat with an al fresco spa oasis, thoughtfully crafted around a living, centuries-old redwood in a peaceful grove that’s close to the coast.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 6

From

£385 /nt

Dragon's Eye

Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales

A wonderfully creative, TV-featured glamping pod with glass panels and a rotating bed to showcase the lush Welsh landscape.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£540 (7nt)

The Whale House

Mission Canyon, California, USA

A mesmerisingly unique fantasy-style haven, with curved walls and a 75ft lap pool that flows into the guest house, architect-crafted and perfectly located for Santa Barbara’s best attractions.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 6

From

£987 / night

Tiny Glass Lodge

Selfoss, Southern Region, Iceland

A blissfully private retreat with a sauna, hot tub, and stirring mountain views through panoramic windows, perfectly positioned in Iceland’s ‘Golden Circle’ close to Selfoss.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£485 / night

New Paltz Dome

New Paltz, New York, USA

A unique, light-filled dome house, refreshingly set within 28 forest acres close to New York's wildlife-steeped Mohonk Preserve.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 9

From

£732 / night

ICEHOTEL

Jukkasjärvi, Norrbotten, Norrbotten County, Sweden

Indulge your senses at ICEHOTEL, the world's first and most exclusive hotel to be constructed from glistening ice and snow.

Bedrooms: Varies

Sleeps: Varies

From

£140/night warm room, £215/night cold room

Kagga Kamma

Cederberg, Western Cape, South Africa

Escape the din of city life, in a culture-rich South African nature reserve and spa, surrounded by unspoilt wilderness under pristine, star-filled skies

Bedrooms: Open plan

Sleeps: Up to 2 (+2)

From

£93 / night sharing

Kudhva

Tintagel, Cornwall, England

For a true escape to pure wilderness, come to Kudhva - an incredible wild camping experience in stunning Tintagel, Cornwall.

Bedrooms: Studio

Sleeps: 2 per unit

From

£137 / night

Melin Mabes

Templeton, Pembrokeshire, Wales

A Pembrokeshire Amazing Space that combines timeless home comfort with interstellar accommodation that's out of this world!

Bedrooms: Open plan

Sleeps: 2 (Mabel) 4 (Spodnic)

From

£100 / night

El Caracol

Lledó, Aragón, Spain

A cutting-edge Spanish mountain holiday home and swimmers' paradise, nestled within a Mediterranean pine forest and surrounded by unspoilt villages.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 8

From

£230 / night

The Onion House

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA

A breathtaking work of art in natural architecture, perfectly positioned on Hawaii's awe-inspiring Kona coast.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: Up to 6

From

£330 / night

The Island Cornwall

Newquay, Cornwall, England

Gaze dreamily out at the Atlantic Ocean from the sumptuous comfort of your very own private, palm-fringed paradise… recently reopened after major, breath-taking upgrades!

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 6

From

£1,350 (3/4nt)

Keemala

Kamala, Phuket, Thailand

Escape to paradise at Keemala - a tropical wonderland of magical pool villas, spa indulgences, gastronomic experiences and a total immersion in Thai culture.

Bedrooms: 1 or 2 per villa

Sleeps: 2 or 4 per villa

From

£360 / night

The Mirror Houses

Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy

The Mirror Houses are a contemporary duo of master-designed holiday homes that reflect the breathtaking natural beauty of Northern Italy.

Bedrooms: 1 per house

Sleeps: 2 (+2) per house

From

£175 / night

The Dragon Cruck

Meifod, Powys, Wales

Behold The Dragon Cruck - a unique and lovingly hand-made Welsh haven, complete with beautiful views of the Vrynwy valley.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£105 / night

Ješted

Liberec, Czech Republic

Live amongst the clouds in the unique and award-winning Liberec Hotel Ješted, set at an arresting altitude of over 3,000 feet.

Bedrooms: 19

Sleeps: varies

From

£62 / night

Pilot House

Drimnin, The Highlands, Scotland

A unique aluminium cabin for two, architect designed and perfectly set in the remote Scottish Highlands, for spectacular views over the Sound of Mull.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£160 / night

OVO Patagonia

El Chalten, Santa Cruz, Argentina

Take your Latin American holiday to new heights in a cosy, transparent capsule elevated on a soaring rock wall that overlooks the majestic Mount Fitz Roy in Argentine Patagonia

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£1,159 /night

Cabanes des Grands Lacs

Chassey-lès-Montbozon, Franche-Comte, France

A lush eco-friendly retreat, set amongst acres of magical forest land and sparkling lakes in dreamlike Franche-Comté.

Bedrooms: Varies

Sleeps: 2-6 per cabin

From

£135 / night

Rocket Lodge

Nr Uppingham, Rutland, England

A utterly unique, bespoke-crafted retreat with its very own island, wildlife pond, and a wood-fired hot tub for stargazing, secluded on a ‘secret' woodland site in the heart of rural Rutland.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 6

From

£565 2 nts midweek

Uga Chena Huts

Yala, Southern Province, Sri Lanka

Experience an authentic sense of the exotic, surrounded by outstanding tropical luxury (and flamingos!) in the Sri Lankan jungle.

Bedrooms: 1 per cabin

Sleeps: Up to 3 per cabin

From

£810 / night

Private Jet Villa

Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

Savour a first-class break aboard your very own jet, breath-takingly elevated on a Balinese clifftop with opulent furnishings, a cockpit jacuzzi, and a private butler and chef

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 4

From

£1,919 /night

HMS Bond

Newport, Isle of Wight, Isle Of Wight, England

Relax with a Vesper Martini aboard the jaw-dropping submarine replica HMS Bond that once starred in a Bond film, now nestled on a quirky Isle of Wight campsite that's full of surprises!

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: up to 5

From

£450 (4 nt)

4x4 Mountain Cabin

Capel Curig, County Conwy, Wales

A handcrafted off-grid timber cabin, ingeniously mounted on a Mitsubishi 4 x 4 for the ultimate in freedom and comfort as you explore breath-taking Wild Wales in your own unique way.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£95/nt

Desert Rock Resort

Hanak, Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia

A vast, awe-inspiring retreat in rugged Red Sea desert nature with warm Saudi hospitality, fine dining and luxury spa, and unique villas exquisitely carved into the mountains

Bedrooms: 1-2

Sleeps: 2-4

From

£2,049 /night

Apukka Resort Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

Witness the mesmerising Lapland seasons from a glass igloo hotel enclosed by lakes and forests, paired with thrilling activities for a memorable and dreamlike holiday.

Bedrooms: Varies

Sleeps: Varies

From

£307 p/n (Aurora)

Stable Stays

Cartmel, Cumbria, England

A fun and completely unique stay in luxury self-catering stable, complete with a beautiful horse for company, set on a friendly farm in the Lake District.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 1-3

From

£350 / night

The Bluebird Penthouse

High Bickington, Devon, England

A lovingly retro-styled 1950s caravan, complete with a unique Land Rover hot tub and spectacular panoramic views of the Taw Valley.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£229 /night

Cocondo

Hoek van Holland, South Holland, Netherlands

A historic World War Two telephone bunker, transformed into a sustainable and design-led family retreat with captivating stories to tell, secluded beneath the coastal dunes in Hook of Holland.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 2 (+2)

From

£139 /nt

Atatu PurePod

Greta Valley, Canterbury, New Zealand

Glimpse the golden sun rising from the New Zealand sea, in a gorgeous glass pod secluded from the rest of the world.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£310 / night

Green Moon Lodge

Montezuma, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

A jaw-dropping Costa Rican jungle dome, created by local artists and secluded amongst lush tropical greenery, with visiting monkeys!

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£95 / night

Zero Zero Treehouse

Mile End, Gloucestershire, England

A net-zero, master-architect-designed tree-sanctuary in the Forest of Dean, with invigorating treetop views from the bedroom, gardens in the sky, and a private wellness suite below.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 5

From

450 / night

The Coastguard Lookout

Dungeness, Kent, England

Arguably one of the most fabulously positioned places to stay in the UK, offering some of the most unique accommodation you'll ever find, Coastguard Lookout is definitely one for your radar.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 5

From

£658 (2 nts)