The Budget Adventurer’s Guide to Booking Unique Housing: Treehouses, Geodesic Domes, Houseboats & Beyond

Budget travel doesn’t have to mean settling for lower-quality rooms or questionable property owners. Some of the most memorable places I’ve ever stayed were nice, clean, and also the cheapest, like a treehouse in southern Portugal, where I woke up to birdsong, or the narrowboat in London that gently rocked me to sleep after a long day of walking in the city.

More and more travelers are stepping away from cookie-cutter hotels and discovering stays that feel like part of the adventure, such as tiny cabins in forests, repurposed farmhouses, and quirky B&Bs run by artists or chefs. It’s not all about saving money (though that’s the main point) – it’s also about staying somewhere with character.

Finding unique accommodations can completely change the vibe of your trip. And when it fits your budget, too? That’s the cherry on top.

Embrace the Unexpected: Types of Unique, Affordable Vacation Accommodations

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Some of the best travel memories come from staying somewhere just a little bit unexpected. Spending a weekend in a treehouse on the edge of the Black Forest with no wifi, no noise, and just a pile of books can be one of the most peaceful trips you’ve ever taken, and it may also cost way less than a hotel room.

• See our recommendations for over a dozen excellent treehouse hotels all over the Americas!

For something with a bit more movement (literally), houseboats are a brilliant option, especially in destinations like Amsterdam, Paris, or even the backwaters of Kerala. It’s magical to fall asleep to peaceful swaying, then wake to the morning light bouncing off the water’s surface outside your window.

Tiny homes and off-grid cabins also make for perfect low-cost escapes, particularly in small mountain towns or by beautiful Alpine lakes. You don’t need much of anything when the view is that good. And if you’re more of a people-person, staying in a shared home or small guesthouse can lead to lifelong friendships and homemade meals (I stayed in a local family’s home in northern Spain and left with a handwritten recipe for tortilla de patatas!).

Some stays are just plain unusual, but in the best way. You can spend a night in a transparent bubble in Iceland or camp out in the desert, lying under the stars.

Rural B&Bs and farmstays are another favorite – especially when you wake up to fresh eggs and bread still warm from the oven. These kinds of stays aren’t always easy to find, so if you have the chance, take it!

How to Find Quirky Hotels, Vacation Rentals, and Other Housing (Without Spending Hours Searching)

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Finding an out-of-the-box stay doesn’t have to mean digging through dozens of tabs and travel blogs, though I’ve definitely gone down that rabbit hole a few times. Once, I spent hours trying to track down a cabin I’d seen in a friend’s Instagram story, only to discover it was booked up months in advance and only listed on one platform.

What I’ve learned since is that the trick is knowing how to filter smartly. Start by choosing your destination and then narrowing down your housing options by type, not just “hotel” or “short-term rental.” Get more creative with your search by looking for terms like “unusual stays,” “treehouse,” “houseboat,” or “eco-lodge.” Use search tools that compare across multiple platforms and let you filter by stay type, amenities, budget, or themes. Tools like CozyCozy are invaluable since they compile listings from multiple platforms into a single, easy-to-use interface.

4 Tips to Book Smart on the Cheap

• Timing: Finding a fabulous, affordable place to stay during your budget vacation comes down to timing and flexibility. If you’re planning a trip to the Italian lakes, look at pricing around early October instead of the middle of summer – prices will be significantly lower than what you see in the high season, and the villages will be delightfully quiet. Shoulder seasons like this are perfect for scoring deals while still enjoying good weather.
• Location: Being open to locations just outside the main tourist hubs can also make a big difference. On a trip to Portugal’s Algarve, I stayed in a small seaside town a few kilometers from Lagos. The villa I found was not only cheaper, but it also had a private terrace overlooking the cliffs – something that would have cost a fortune closer to the city center.
• Reviews and policies: Always read reviews carefully, check cancellation policies, and consider any additional fees. Sometimes, accommodations may seem cheap at first glance, but cleaning and service fees can almost double the nightly price.
• Shared spaces: If you’re traveling solo or craving cultural exchange, shared spaces can be a real bonus. Look for hostels with a unique theme (or even coworking or coliving spaces, if you’re the nomadic type), or homestays where you can rent a spare room or guesthouse.

Budget Doesn’t Have to Mean Lower Quality

Traveling on a budget doesn’t have to mean sacrificing experience or comfort. Some of my most memorable trips have been those where I stayed in a place a little quirky and off the beaten path. Each of these stays brought a story, a view, or a moment I would never have had in a standard hotel with a sterile personality. With a bit of creativity, it’s easy to discover these unique accommodations that are not only affordable but also genuinely memorable.

Featured image by Jonathan Borba on Pexels