Winning an award is no mean feat, especially in the fiercely competitive world of hospitality.
So you can be sure that if a retreat is “award-winning”, it won’t just be clean and well-furnished (let’s face it: you’d expect those things as a matter of course!) There’ll also be plenty of attention paid to those thoughtful little details – the ones that really make a holiday special.
Here at Host Unusual, we only list the world’s most unique places to stay. Such places tend to be imbued with their owners’ personal love and care, for a welcoming sense of warmth that can be hard to find in chain hotels and faceless resorts.
It could be that they’ve hand-crafted their beloved retreat themselves, or they’ve filled it with locally-made delights that mean your stay is memorable for all the right reasons.
So when one of our lovely property owners wins an award, we know just how much it means… and we want to help them shout their happy news from the rooftops!
That’s why we proudly present our roll-call of 2023 award-winners. Each one is perfectly primed for a well-deserved break that satisfies the highest of holiday standards.
(We wish all of them a hearty congratulations, too!)
Author: Nina Jervis
Main image: Triumphant Middlewick Glamping at the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism awards.
Shanklin, Isle of Wight, Isle Of Wight, England
Spectacular cliff top art deco house with stunning sea views and period features on the Isle of Wight.
Bedrooms: 6 (+1)
Sleeps: 16
Awarded SILVER as one of the top two self-catering properties in the whole of South England in the Beautiful South Awards for Excellence 2023-24
Hartland, Devon, England
An Insta-worthy, dog-friendly treetop haven with a private terrace and a gleaming copper bathtub (that can be moved inside or out!) dreamily nestled in 20 acres of picture-perfect Devonshire countryside.
Sleepy Owl Devon was awarded 3 x gold Devon South West Tourism awards and 1 x silver, GOLD Self Catering Accommodation of the Year, GOLD New Tourism of the Year, GOLD Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism, and SILVER Dog Friendly Business of the Year in 2023. They were also a National Winner for The Best Boutique Stay in the UK Muddy Stiletto Award in July 2023.
Widegates, Cornwall, England
A unique, expertly handcrafted back-to-nature escape that showcases some of the best sea views in Cornwall.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 6
Awarded GOLD award for 'Glamping Business of the Year' as well as the BRONZE award in the 'Wildlife Friendly Tourism Business of the Year' category in the Cornwall Tourism Awards..
Elmore, Gloucestershire, England
Six master-crafted “pods of dreams”, each one styled to perfection and secluded on an ancient Gloucestershire country estate that’s completely dedicated to nature.
Awarded a CPRE Gloucestershire award for estoring biodiversity through rewilding, and the build of their treehouses where guests can support and enjoy the rewilding land!
Launceston, Cornwall, England
Embrace the natural life and get some literary inspiration under clear starry skies, with the scenic backdrop of Cornwall's ‘Peaceful Valley' to keep you company.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2/4/8 per unit
Silver award for Glamping Business of the Year in the Cornwal Tourism Awards.
Dittisham, Devon, England
An exquisite collection of luxury treehouses, a gleaming American airstream, and artisan shepherd's lodges, all with al fresco hot tubs and beautifully nestled in the scenic heart of Devonshire countryside.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 1-5
Bronze award for Glamping Business of the Year in the Devon Tourism Awards.
Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England
Explore the Leicestershire waterways at your own gentle pace, aboard your choice of luxurious ‘hotel suite’-style canal boat for couples.
Silver award for UK Short Breaks in the British Travel Awards 2023.
Ugborough, Devon, England
Cosily furnished, family-sized safari tents with hot tubs, dog-friendly and secluded amongst 1,5 acres of Devon nature that's close to both Dartmoor National Park and unspoilt South Hams beaches.
Bedrooms: 2 or 3 per tent
Sleeps: 5 or 6 per tent
Awarded two Silver awards by Devon Tourism Awards 23 -24 for Glamping Business of the Year, and Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism.
Bungay, Norfolk, England
Escape with your loved one to a hand-crafted, off-grid retreat with a sumptuous outdoor bath, peacefully secluded in a Norfolk wildflower meadow.
Albion Nights won the bronze award at the East of England Tourism Awards for Best Camping/Glamping Holiday of the Year.
Kilmartin, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Exclusive rule of an authentic, sustainable, and exquisitely restored castle that dates all the way back to the 16th century, located within Scotland’s most concentrated collection of archaeological sites.
Bedrooms: 5
Sleeps: 10 exclusive
The New York Times named Kilmartin Glen & Castle as the 4th best place in the world to visit in 2023. Harpers Bazaar named Kilmartin Castle as the 4th best luxury Airbnb of the UK, and Kilmartin Castle also won the Eviivo “hottest property” award.
Melbourne, Yorkshire, England
Reconnect and get back to nature with quirky, eco-friendly grown-up's glamping with resident wallabies, set in tranquil lakeside woodlands by the Yorkshire Wolds.
Bedrooms: 1 per unit
Sleeps: 2 per unit
Awarded a REYTA23 Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism award For Remarkable Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park. Acorn Glade will automatically be entered into the countrywide awards.
Presteigne, Powys, Wales
Naturally luxurious pods set on lush, wildlife-steeped Welsh farmland, with jaw-dropping views of the Radnor Valley.
Bedrooms: 1 or 2 per pod
Sleeps: 2 or 4 per pod
Hush Hush Glamping won the LuXlife Magazine 'Best Adults-Only Glamping Site - Wales' Award in 2023, as well as the Visit Wales Gold Award n recognition of exceptional quality and facilities!
Broxted, Essex, England
Indulge your wanderlust with an off-grid, self-drive adventure aboard your very own Land Rover Defender, complete with rooftop tent set-up, a cosy lounge, and all the equipment you could want!
Bedrooms: 1 or 2 roof tents
Sleeps: 2-7 guests
Awarded Unique Accomodation of the Year, England - Travel and Hospitality Awards 2023 (won for the 2nd year in a row) * Bespoke Automotive Rental Company of the Year - Innovation & Excellence Awards 2023 * LandyCampers was also named the UK's (and possibly the world's) only TripAdvisor Travellers Choice winning adventure camper hire for 2023! * Finalist in the Micro Business of the Year East of England at the Federation of Small Business Awards at the start of this year.
Kirby Cane, Norfolk, England
An ecological take on glamping and camping in the unspoilt natural vista of the Waveney Valley.
Bedrooms:
Sleeps: 2-5 per unit
Corporate global awards - Camping Venue of the year 23/24 * Suffolk Chamber of Commerce - Finalist for the Hospitality & Tourism award * Lux Life - Best eco friendly glamping and camping venue 2023 - East of England
Lorne, Victoria, Australia
A bold and quirky architectural gem, superbly nestled within the lush rainforest ferns of Australia's Great Otway National Park.
Qii House was a Top 10 Finalist in Holiday home of the Year on the STAYZ/VRBO platform in Australia, ranking seventh overall. Qii House was also awarded Holistic Wellness Retreat of the Year Australia 2023 issued by the Prestige Awards Team.
Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, England
Make your escape to the glorious Cotswolds all the more memorable by staying at Campden Yurts.
Bedrooms: Studio
Sleeps: 4-5 per yurt
Best Glamping Site in the Cotswolds 2023 in the Cotswolds Awards 2023.
Glastonbury, Somerset, England
Magical eco-friendly holiday adventure in the enchanting E-den cabins in Glastonbury, with breathtaking views towards Glastonbury Tor and the Somerset levels.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2 per unit
3 Gold and 2 Silver awards in the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism awards.
Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England
An absurdly romantic treetop hideaway with huge windows, luxurious facilities, and an al fresco bathtub, dreamily secluded on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Awarded Self Catering Accommodation of the Year in the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards 2023 * Finalist in the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year in the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards 2023 * Finalist for Best Self Catering Accommodation in the Taste of Excellence Food & Drink Awards 2023 with Lincolnshire Life Magazine *
Ashurst, West Sussex, England
An award-winning foodie retreat that combines soothing West Sussex countryside views with baking masterclasses and tempting seasonal produce.
Awarded Bread Making School of the Year 2023 - South East in the UK Enterprise Awards 2023, and also the Corporate LiveWire Global Awards 2023/24 - Bread making school of the year
Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Welcome to the unspoiled Aberdeen countryside and a family-run farm; a delightfully off-grid retreat that affords stunning views over sea and farmland from its unique accommodation options.
Bedrooms:
Sleeps: 2-4 per unit
Down on the Farm were awarded Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience’ category for their farm tours at the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards
Bournemouth, Dorset, England
Bournemouth Beach Lodges provide the perfect setting for a refreshing coastal break, just a pebble skim away from seven miles of stunningly sandy beach.
Finalists in the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year in Dorset's Tourism Awards (final in Feb 2024!)
Bredenbury, Herefordshire, England
Nostalgic, first-class couples and family accommodation at a restored 19th century railway station, set amongst timeless North Herefordshire countryside.
Bedrooms: 1 or 2 per property
Sleeps: 2 or 4 per property
At the National Railway Heritage Awards ceremony December 2023, Rowden Mill Station received the 'National Highways Award for Restoration on a Closed Line'
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)
Cocondo had the honor of receiving the Pieter van Vollenhoven Prize 2023. The award was personally presented by Prof. Mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven, former chairman of the National Restoration Fund. It is a recognition of exceptional perseverance and courage; the former telephone bunker has been transformed into a unique and sustainable holiday home, a process that required a considerable amount of patience and paperwork.
