Updated January 4, 2022. If your penchant is a cabin in the woods, funky silo on a farm, luxe yacht in Annapolis, or even a yurt, Airbnb has you covered. Peruse these fun accommodations and plan your own escape.
Modern Cabin Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains
This 300-square-foot tiny house has an open-floor plan and cathedral ceilings that make it feel spacious. It’s located on two-and-a-half-acres, backs to a mountain stream, and is only a few minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking and horseback riding on the Appalachian Trail and Glenwood Horse Trail. It’s also the perfect home-base for day trips to Peaks of Otter, Sharp Top Mountain, Bedford and the D Day Memorial, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Cave Mountain State Park. Its queen bed in the loft and bedroom with three bunks can comfortably accommodate five guests, and one or two more can spread out on the double pullout couch. Big Island, Virginia
Even if you are well-traveled, more than likely you’ve never stayed at the top of a barn silo. The owners had been renovating this 1950s-era dairy barn and silo since 2013 and finished it in November 2018. The space has four floors of circular rooms, with the top two reserved for up to two guests (aged 12 and up). There is a living room and bathroom on the third floor (accessible via 15 steps), while climbing 12 more steps to the top floor leads you to a bedroom with 360-degree view windows of the mountains and valley, as well as a private deck. You also have access to a shared screened-in kitchen, seasonally. One of the owners is a master cabinet maker; upon check-in you will receive clues to a secret compartment, and when you find it you’ll be rewarded with a special gift to take home. Oh, and you are free to stroll the garden, grounds, and creek and procure fresh eggs from the owners’ chickens. Independence, Virginia
This modern prefab cabin (pictured above) set into the side of a wooded ridge has a wall of glass extending almost its entire length. A perfect combination of secluded getaway with the modern comforts of home, the cabin can accommodate four guests, was designed by an award-winning architectural firm, and has been featured in Dwell Magazine. The space features a master bedroom, bath and living space on the upper level, a second bedroom, bath and media room downstairs, and a small third bedroom suitable for kids available upon request. Outside you’ll find incredible stargazing, firewood, a propane grill, and a Dutch Tub hot tub. Note that there is no cell service at the cabin or in a 30-mile radius around it, but there is solid WiFi service and a landline. Lost City, West Virginia
Basically spacious circular tents, yurts are all the rage among the glamping set. This 30-foot-diameter one is located 2,000 feet up in the Blue Ridge Mountains down a narrow steep gravel road and is filled with amenities that make it a romantic option for a couple or a much-needed family weekend escape. The yurt is filled with amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen, deep tub, six-person hot tub, and seasonal saltwater in-ground pool. The primary bedroom has a queen bed for two, while the loft has a queen bed and two single futons. In the common room you’ll find a gas-burning stove with a fire view, 32-inch HD TV, and a DVD player, and there is a firepit, gas grill, and patio furniture outside. During your stay, explore the surrounding 58 acres, hike in minutes to Shenandoah National Park, or take a day trip to Charlottesville, historical sites, caves, or rivers. Stanardsville, Virginia
Why stay near the water when you can stay on it? Book this comfortably equipped sailing yacht docked in Annapolis, close to the historic part of town and the Naval Academy. The yacht is basically a two-bedroom studio apartment, with an equipped galley kitchenette, dining salon with couches, small desk, small bathroom, and two private cabins (one with a king-size bed and the other with a full-size bed) with storage cabinets. A folding bassinet can also be set up in the aft cabin. On deck is a cozy cockpit and small folding table. Weather permitting, the owner can help arrange for a private sailing cruise for an additional fee. Annapolis, Maryland
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