We celebrate the incredible diversity of unique and wonderful places to stay on Host Unusual with these latest new arrivals! Starting up in bonnie Scotland, discover luxuriously appointed yurts with private hot tubs close to the infamous Gleneagles, and a truly wondrous architect-designed Scandi-inspired retreat close to Edinburgh in a beautiful hillside setting (also with its own hot tub!). Then it’s all the way down to Cornwall, where a bevy of quite remarkable and sympathetically restored railway carriages await, each with its own personality and charm. All very different, yet all equally worthy of a place on your travel hitlist!
Embark on a foray into the Great Outdoors and a delicious slice of rural Scottish life, with a stay at Alexander House. The location couldn’t be better; just 2.5 miles from the famed Gleneagles and less than an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow, you’ll find this opulent country house set high in the Perthshire Hills showcases breathtaking views from all directions. Luxurious ensuite yurts are here to enjoy, in a sheltered corner of the grounds and each with its own wood-fired hot tub so you can relax and unwind with the freshest sights and sounds. This is certainly far from traditional camping, with downy king-sized beds dressed in crisp linen, marshmallow duvets and soft pillows, warming electric blankets and more – and the views are breathtaking, including Gleneagles and Ben Vorlich.
Still in Scotland and this time within the soothing Pentland Hills near Edinburgh, how do you fancy an architect-designed oasis of calm with its very own private hot tub? We love the Scandi-style design of Westside Woodshed (above and main picture), whose elegant silver timber cladding works in harmony with its natural surroundings and whispering trees. Head to the mezzanine floor, and be greeted by a luxuriously cosy, white linen-dressed king-sized bed, adorned with artist-designed cushions, whilst downstairs a crackling fire in the sophisticated open-plan living space presents the perfect setting for a romantic weekend away from the bustle. With hikes and hill walks aplenty on your doorstep, you’ll be in the perfect place to breathe in a healthy quota of fresh Scottish air and recharge those batteries.
As featured on both the BBC’s ‘Great British Railway Journeys’ and ITV’s ‘Holiday Home Sweet Home’, Railholiday’s collection of sustainable and authentically restored railway carriages certainly deserves the spotlight! Self-contained, steeped in comfort and each coming with its own individual magic, the carriages had their own original purposes, including a slip coach, luggage van and passenger carriage, some dating back as far as the 1890s. Modernised brilliantly to cater for holiday lettings, you will find all you need inside your historic retreat, such as generous wet/shower rooms, TVs, kitchens, enclosed gardens, and some even with the original features such as a letter box from The Travelling Post Office carriage, transporting you back in time and giving you a true sense of their former lives.
