If you’re tired of staying in the same old boring hotel room trip after trip, it’s time to shake things up a little and try out an Airbnb. Long gone are the days of having to stay in a boring, standard motel room when you travel. You’ll find some of the best and most unique Airbnbs in North Carolina. From treehouse rentals to tiny homes, you’ll definitely want to add these unique stays to your travel bucket list. But don’t take our word for it. Check out some of these unique North Carolina Airbnbs for yourself and see what all the fuss is about.
Tiny House in the Trees - Durham
If you enjoy watching all the tiny house shows on TV, here’s your chance to experience what it’s like to live in one. And it’s not just any tiny house… it’s a tiny house in the trees. Located in the backyard of its owners, this little treasure offers everything you could need in only 120 square feet. It’s obviously geared toward those who like to keep things simple and sweet, as well as enjoy having nature all around them. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a bright and welcoming exterior, while inside, you’ll find a quaint sitting area, a small but well-stocked kitchen with a propane stovetop and complimentary tea and coffee, a small collapsible table for eating and working, a bathroom with a shower, and two sleeping lofts including one oversized loft with a queen size memory foam mattress.
Luxurious Secluded Romantic Treehouse with Hot Tub - Old Fort
Located on 14 acres, this magical treehouse is accessed by a swinging bridge and comes with a lot more luxuries than most treehouses. An oasis for enjoying the songs of the birds, it accommodates up to two making it ideal for romance-seeking couples. You’ll have some special extras too like a couple of cards if you want to go deeper with your significant other. There’s also a hot tub, LED fireplace, cable TV, strong Wi-Fi, and kitchenette items, including a microwave, cooktop, and fridge.
Original Midcentury Modern Glass House - Roxboro
This “glass house” sits along the banks of Hyco Lake with its glass walls bringing the outside in. Relax in a hammock while gazing out at the lake on the screened porch or get active by taking advantage of the paddleboards and kayaks that are provided. You’ll have an outdoor shower to rinse off under afterward and next to that is a soothing hot tub. After dark, gather around the outdoor fire pit under the stars, your host kindly supplies the wood too. Outstanding Internet for streaming, a full boat dock, and laundry room are provided too.
Private Mountain A -Frame, Hot Tub & Amazing Views - Jonesville
This beautiful A-Frame is located in the Yadkin Valley Wine Region near the town of Elkin, about 90 minutes north of Charlotte. Ideal for a couple, it boasts a romantic bedroom on the main floor with a king bed. A small family of up to four or two couples can be accommodated as it also has a loft accessed by a steep ladder while featuring a queen bed and spectacular mountain views to wake up to. There’s a hot tub perfectly positioned for watching the sunset over the mountains with a glass of wine, a corn hole game, a hammock for naps, and a fire pit with wood supplied ideal for roasting marshmallows under the stars. You’ll have a grill for cookouts and a full kitchen, a 40″ HDTV with Netflix and Roku, and a washer/dryer too.
The Sidekick: A Stylish Poolside Carriage House - Durham
Ideal for a small family or a couple, The Sidekick is a restored carriage house that sits at the back of the host’s 1926 property, nestled among the woods and magnificent homes. It includes a beautiful loft bedroom with a romantic iron bed topped by a luxurious goose-down duvet. The full modern kitchen features high-quality cookware, basics for cooking like spices, condiments, and oil, complimentary coffee and tea from local suppliers, sugar, honey, oat milk, and organic half & half. There’s also a 55″ Smart TV with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, plus a Nintendo Classic game system with retro games like Super Mario Brothers included. The highlight is the backyard with a garden and saltwater pool.
The Creekside Hideaway: A Private, Cozy Getaway - Sylva
Located just 10 minutes from the small, historic town of Sylva, nestled in the Plott Balsam Mountains of Western North Carolina, the Creekside Hideaway can accommodate up to seven with two bedrooms and a loft. It has a large wrap-around deck that doubles the square footage of the home for fabulous indoor and outdoor living space. There’s a private hot tub near a creek for soaking with a tranquil soundtrack and a patio with an outdoor fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs for gathering under the stars. Inside, you’ll have a wood-burning stove, a full basement bar with a karaoke machine and disco ball, and a fully equipped kitchen. Take destressing up a notch on the screened-in porch which has yoga mats and incense.
Smoky Mountain Escape 1 - Almond
Located close to popular Bryson City, a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from this rental, you’ll enjoy some of the best views of the North Carolina Smoky Mountains. It’s surrounded by picturesque scenery at the top of a mountain while providing access to numerous activities, from whitewater rafting, hiking, and biking to scenic drives and waterfall viewing. It accommodates up to six in two bedrooms, with two queen beds in a loft and one queen in the master bedroom on the main floor. This is a secluded stay for the adventurous with AWD or a 4×4 required for access which is an off-road experience that includes steep inclines.
Your Private Waterfall Getaway - Brevard
Tucked into the woods with a spectacular view of a 15-foot private waterfall right in the backyard, this rental offers a Zen oasis for enjoying total peace and tranquility. You can spend your days splashing in the creek at the bottom of the falls and swaying on the hammock watching for wildlife, including the occasional bear. Evenings can be spent warming up by the chiminea watching the fireflies. It sits just above Lake Jocassee and the Gorges State Park, with a myriad of hiking and biking trails nearby, while downtown Brevard is 18 miles away, offering local breweries, bakeries, antique shops, art galleries, and fantastic food trucks. Pet-friendly, up to six can be accommodated with one bedroom that has a queen bed plus two air mattresses and a living room with two sofabeds and two additional air mattresses. You’ll have a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, and a 48″ HDTV too.
Luxury Glamping Dome #1 Chimney Rock/Lake Lure - Hendersonville
For a luxurious glamping experience, consider this spectacular dome which has a stylish interior that comes complete with a super comfy king-size foam bed, air conditioning, and a large window that makes it feel as if you’re sleeping under the stars. The spacious bathroom includes complimentary toiletries, while the kitchenette includes a Nespresso machine, complimentary coffee, espresso, and tea, a small fridge, a microwave, and items to make S’mores on the outdoor fire pit.
Snow's Nest - Kill Devil Hills
Located in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Snow’s Nest is a beach house with a view – the best view, in fact, in the whole area. The home’s claim-to-fame is the three-story deck with the highest “crow’s nest” in the Outer Banks perched on top. From there, you’ll see breathtaking views of the whole island. Inside, you’ll find room for 8 adults, casual beachy décor, and plenty of amenities including a large flatscreen TV with DVDs and a Playstation game console complete with rechargeable batteries and Guitar Hero controllers, a fully-stocked kitchen, and a full-size washer and dryer. There’s also plenty of room for hanging out outdoors with a charcoal grill, ping pong table, hammock, and outdoor shower.
Modern Beach Container Home - Carolina Beach
This home was recently featured in the New York Times and with one visit, you’ll see why. From the very moment you arrive at the home, you are struck by its uniqueness. Built out of an old shipping container, it is now transformed into a sleek and modern living space for guests. You won’t find a lot of frills here – just sleek lines and modern décor, as well as amenities like a large subway-tiled walk-in shower, Casper mattresses, organic linens, mahogany hardwood floors and a beautiful teak outdoor shower. Plus, with beach access located just at the end of the street, it’s convenient yet still private and comfortable.
Outrageous Cabin in the Woods - Winston-Salem
This 3,400 square foot cabin is anything but ordinary. As the brainchild of an interior designer and want-to-be architect, you’ll find creativity in every detail of the home. In fact, your senses might not know which way to look first with all of the bright colors, unique artwork, and eclectic furnishings. There’s a large open living space with a seating area, dining area, and kitchen, plus a separate dining room and game room area with a pool table. There are also three bedrooms – two on the main level and one upstairs, as well as three large full baths. The most amazing part of this house, however, is the massive outdoor living space located above the double garage, where you’ll find plenty of quaint seating areas, a hammock, a dining area, and an outdoor kitchen – all surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Relaxing Bedroom in the Trees - Weaverville
Nature lovers will definitely want to check out the Relaxing Bedroom in the Trees in Weaverville where your treehouse-loving inner child can come out to play. The space is packed with character and is surrounded by amazing natural amenities. The open-air cabin features a luxurious bed, large windows, and mountain views. Just a short walk away, you’ll find a composting toilet, sink, and outdoor shower, as well as a fire pit with complimentary firewood. Although there is no kitchen, the space is only 5 minutes away from Weaverville and 10 minutes away from downtown Asheville, where you’ll find plenty of unique restaurants and shops to explore.
WalkerWorld Organic Artist Retreat - Castle Hayne
The WalkerWorld Organic Artist Retreat, located in Castle Hayne is like something straight out of a storybook. In addition to lots of natural elements, hardwood floors, large windows, tons of natural light, and bright colors, you’ll also find artwork everywhere you look and the cabin’s most unique feature – a 60-foot rowing scull that hangs upside down from the ceiling in the main salon. The ten-acre property is also home to another guest house, a “garagemahal” and an organic garden. If you’re feeling creative, try your hand on the concert grand piano, or for some outdoor fun, take a dip in the water or play a game of outdoor billiards!
Pilot Mountain Vineyards - Pinnacle
Wine lovers, your dream has come true. You can stay right in the middle of a vineyard with this Airbnb in Pinnacle. The 31-acre rolling vineyard estate includes a main house with two bedrooms available for rent – both with king-size beds, sitting areas, and private bathrooms. The Chardonnay Suite also includes a kitchenette, while the Merlot Suite provides over 1,400 square feet of privacy. From the dining room, living room, and back deck, you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding vineyards or check them out up-close by taking a leisurely stroll through the rows of grapevines. There’s also a large pool for swimming and nearby Pilot Mountain State Park offers great opportunities for hiking.
The LOVE Boat - Manteo
Located in Shallowbag Bay Marina just off the intercoastal waterway in the beautiful Outer Banks, guests of the LOVE Boat enjoy a unique stay in a “floating cottage” with all the comforts of home and easy access to fun on the water with two kayaks included. Guests also have access to the marina clubhouse which has an outdoor swimming pool, gym, and pool table. Your host throws in a gift certificate to the local Kill Devil Hills restaurant too. The catamaran cruiser itself has an open and bright main salon, a living room with a Smart TV, a master stateroom with a panoramic water view, and a private deck.
Upscale 1926 C&O Train Caboose Tiny House Glamping - Waynesville
If you’re looking for a unique stay just a short drive from Great Smoky Mountain National Park, this 1926 little red caboose is sure to fit the bill. It sits on a 20-acre residential farm and has a fabulous outdoor space with a grill for cookouts and a romantic outdoor shower along with a custom-built bathhouse and oversized bathrobes. You’ll have many kitchen items inside, like a fridge, toaster oven, coffeepot, and cookware. Your host even supplies hand-selected locally brewed beers and sodas. Other notable features include high-speed cable Internet and a Smart TV with satellite channels. Plus, you can gather your own fresh eggs and enjoy visits by the farm’s dogs, guineas, chickens, horses, and goats.
Sleep Among the Treetops at Treefrog Tower - Nags Head
The ultimate retreat in the Outerbanks, this bohemian treehouse sits in a nine-acre pine forest near Jockey’s Ridge State Park. A fabulous romantic retreat for up to two, it offers easy access to hiking, beaches, kayaking, kiteboarding, and more while providing the chance to sleep among the trees. The bedroom sits upstairs and includes a queen bed with a 270-degree view of the trees with twinkling lights providing a fairytale-like setting. You’ll have a living area and kitchenette, a TV with cable channels, including HBO, Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom.
Raven Rock Treehouse - Fletcher
Nestled on a 40-acre wilderness wildlife preserve, the Raven Rock Treehouse is the perfect spot for an off-grid escape. It offers a remote location for melting stress away, with an AWD or 4×4 required to navigate the steep gravel road to reach it. It makes a great base for hiking and you’ll find many artisan shops, wineries, and restaurants nearby with the town of Hendersonville just five miles away. Or just hang out and enjoy the tranquility – there is no electricity but a solar generator is included for charging laptops and cell phones. You’ll have a mini wood stove with precut wood and kindling provided, a deck with a propane cooktop and spring water dispenser, and an outhouse, which sits 50 feet from the treehouse.
