Skip the hotel and plan your family’s next adventure around one of these Airbnb rentals. From castles to a gingerbread house, your kids won’t even care about sightseeing when they’re sleeping in these fairytale escapes.
Photo: Airbnb
Calling all Hobbits! Transport your family to The Shire with a stay in this unique hillside home in Washington. From the circular door to the driftwood sink to the stone fireplace made from oversized pebbles, every nook and cranny has been designed to capture the imagination of your little Frodo. Oh, and that view of Middle Washington will blow your mind. Starting at $269 per night, sleeps two guests, airbnb.ca
Read more: 13 hotel rooms that will blow your kids’ minds
Photo: AirbnbGive your kids a real getaway, like away from everything—there’s no TV, AC or even locks on the doors! The perfect opportunity to reconnect as a family, this secluded hideaway will open your little one’s eyes to the day-to-day life of a Balinese villager. This is an unforgettable experience. Starting at $224 per night, sleeps two guests, airbnb.ca
Photo: AirbnbWhile you can’t take a bite out of this playful gingerbread house (sorry!), your kids will love the whimsical details of this one-room rental. Located at the quirky Isis Oasis Retreat Center next to a Hobbit hut (which you can also rent), this gingerbread house gives its guests access to a wood-fired oven, pool, sauna and hot tub. Starting at $129 per night, sleeps two guests, airbnb.ca
Photo: AirbnbExpose your kids to some world-renowned architecture with a stay in this incredible mirrored home, which literally vanishes into the picturesque landscape. In the summer months, guests have access to a shared pool, but, really, you can expect your kids to spend most of their time gazing at themselves in the reflective walls. Starting at $311 per night, sleeps four guests, airbnb.ca
Get up close and personal with the intricate tiles that make Marrakesh famous with a stay in this stunning palace—yes, you can be royalty for a night. Bonus: The in-house restaurant service offers authentic Moroccan cuisine, so they can get a taste of the region’s traditional dishes. Starting at $85 per night, sleeps four guests, airbnb.ca
Photo: AirbnbDon’t waste your time digging for shells on the beach. This house is shaped like a massive conch shell, with a picture-perfect pool overlooking the ocean. Need we say more? Starting at $438 per night, sleeps four guests, airbnb.ca
Read more: 20 awesome family-friendly Caribbean resorts
Photo: AirbnbAhoy, mateys! Welcome aboard your own private houseboat. Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, this quiet marina will let your little pirates live out their shipwrecked dreams. Starting at $746 per night, sleeps six guests, airbnb.ca Read more: 8 best family cruises
Photo: AirbnbLet your little princes and princesses live out their royal fantasies in a real-life castle from the 1400s. Sure, there are some cobwebs and a little dust, but you’ll find all the castle necessities, from the winding staircase to the surrounding fields of sheep and cows. Starting at $243 per night, sleeps four guests, airbnb.ca
Forget Disney; your little Cinderella’s dreams will come true with an incredible view of the magical Church of Our Lady before Týn, which looks just like a castle. This is, literally, the stuff of fairy tales. Starting at $208 per night, sleeps two guests, airbnb.ca
Photo: AirbnbEscape to this secret garden! The perfect getaway from the beating pulse of downtown Melbourne, this paradise’s lush rainforest walls and swinging wicker chair will fill their dreams with adventure and excitement. Starting at $192 per night, sleeps two guests, airbnb.ca
Photo: AirbnbTake your wee ones on a wild ride with a stay in this eccentric double-decker bus, which comes equipped with two single beds and an outdoor fireplace. It’s the perfect family road trip without the hassle of driving. Starting at $162 per night, sleeps six guests, airbnb.ca Read more: 15 ways to make road trips less painful
Photo: AirbnbAll aboard! Mark this refurbished caboose car as your family’s next destination! Located in Virginia, this cabin is surrounded by greenery. Starting at $236 per night, sleeps four guests, airbnb.ca
Photo: AirbnbIs it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a UFO! Have you and your family a whimsical and Sci-Fi adventure in this Sci-Fi cabin! Starting at $293 per night, sleeps four guests, airbnb.ca
Retreat to the deck of this airship cabin getaway and gaze at the twinkling constellations under a cozy tartan blanket. Starting at $256 per night, sleeps two guests, airbnb.ca
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Simone Olivero is a Toronto-based writer and editor specializing in lifestyle editorial including travel, home décor, beauty and food. Her work has also been published in print and online publications like Toronto Life, Chatelaine, The Toronto Star, CBC Travel, Yahoo! Canada and more. She was previously a senior editor at Today’s Parent and is currently the managing editor at House & Home.