Explore 12 truly unique vacation rentals available on Owner Direct Vacation Rentals, each offering something unforgettable. These stays redefine memorable travel.
Not every trip calls for a standard condo or basic hotel room . If you’re craving stays with personality , views, or downright quirky design, unique vacation rentals turn “just another trip” into the kind of story people actually want to hear. From treehouse-style cabins in Texas Hill Country to windmills in the Greek islands, these places prove your accommodation can be part of the adventure—not just the place you sleep.
With Owner Direct Vacation Rentals , you can browse unique vacation rentals in standout locations around the world , filtered by space, amenities, and style, so you’re not guessing from a handful of vague photos and generic descriptions. Below are twelve destinations where the stays themselves are part of the reason to go.
1. Treehouse-Style Retreats in Seguin, Texas Hill Country
Seguin in Texas Hill Country is made for travelers who want unique vacation rentals that feel like an escape but stay grounded in comfort. Picture cabins and elevated structures tucked among pecan trees near Geronimo Creek, offering decks, lofts, and creekside views instead of standard corridors and parking lots. Many of these unique vacation rentals lean into rustic details—wood beams, ladders to loft beds, and outdoor seating where you can hear nothing but water and wind.
Families and small groups love Seguin’s unique vacation rentals because they still offer modern essentials like kitchenettes, heat, and Wi-Fi while leaving you close to tubing, paddling, and small-town BBQ joints off State Highway 46. It’s an easy drive from San Antonio or Austin, which makes these unique vacation rentals ideal for long weekends that feel much farther away than they are. With that, let’s move north into true mountain territory.
2. Yurts and Off-Grid Escapes in the North Okanagan, British Columbia
If your idea of unique vacation rentals includes quiet, big skies, and total reset energy, the North Okanagan around Lumby and Salmon Arm delivers. Here you’ll find Mongolian-style yurts on private acreage, chalets hidden in forested hills, and cabin-style homes overlooking valleys that stretch toward the Monashee Mountains. These unique vacation rentals mix glamping vibes with real beds, wood stoves, and access to lakes where you can paddle at sunrise.
The North Okanagan’s unique vacation rentals are perfect for guests who want to unplug without giving up comfort—think canoe access on small private lakes, trails right from the door, and dark skies ideal for stargazing. After a few days surrounded by evergreens instead of elevators, most guests are already plotting their next mountain escape, which makes these unique vacation rentals an easy repeat choice. Speaking of peaceful scenery, the Atlantic coast has its own version of quiet.
3. Tiny Homes by the Sea in Mabou, Nova Scotia
On Cape Breton Island, the area around Mabou offers unique vacation rentals that shrink the footprint but expand the view. Tiny houses parked in coastal meadows face the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, giving you sunsets, salty air, and rolling green hills in one frame. These unique vacation rentals typically squeeze in full amenities—kitchen, bathroom, sleeping loft or clever bed layouts—without wasting a single inch of space.
Guests choose Mabou’s unique vacation rentals when they want a slower pace: walks along the Mabou Harbour trails, fiddles and folk music at The Red Shoe Pub, and drives along the Cabot Trail. The tiny homes reinforce that less stuff, more setting can actually feel like an upgrade, which keeps these unique vacation rentals high on the list for couples and solo travelers who travel light. From compact coastal hideaways, let’s jump to elevated luxury in snow country.
4. Design-Forward Mountain Homes in Park City, Utah
Park City isn’t just ski condos and hotel rooms lined along the base of Park City Mountain Resort. Scattered around Thaynes Canyon, near the Park City Golf Course, and close to Canyons Village, you’ll find unique vacation rentals that lean into architecture and landscaping just as much as they lean into location. Think homes wrapped around ponds, statement staircases, floor-to-ceiling windows, and outdoor spaces designed for every season.
Some of Park City’s most memorable unique vacation rentals sit within full-service resorts like Waldorf Astoria Park City, where private residences come with access to heated pools, hot tubs, and spa facilities, plus a dedicated gondola to Canyons terrain. These unique vacation rentals are ideal for groups that want the perks of a luxury hotel with the privacy of a stand-alone home, all within easy reach of Main Street dining and Sundance energy. Once you’ve had your mountain fix, the Greek islands offer a very different kind of drama.
5. Traditional Villages and Villas in Sifnos, Greece
On the island of Sifnos in the Cyclades, the village of Artemonas is a dream for travelers seeking unique vacation rentals steeped in local architecture. Whitewashed houses with blue shutters, stone-paved alleys, courtyard terraces, and tiled rooftops frame views of the Aegean Sea and terraced hillsides. These unique vacation rentals often preserve traditional layouts and design while quietly upgrading what matters—modern kitchens, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi.
Staying in Artemonas means your unique vacation rentals sit within walking distance of bakeries, tavernas, and church courtyards where locals still gather in the evenings. The island’s hiking paths connect villages to beaches like Vathi and Faros, so days can shift between swims, strolls, and long lunches. For travelers who want culture, scenery, and comfort in one package, Sifnos’ unique vacation rentals feel like the opposite of a generic resort island. From the Cyclades, we drift to the Smokies.
6. Multi-Level Cabins in Sevierville, Tennessee
In the Great Smoky Mountains region near Sevierville , Tennessee, you’ll find unique vacation rentals that turn the classic log cabin into full-scale mountain lodges. Many properties in communities like Cedar Falls stack multiple floors with wraparound decks, cathedral ceilings, and wall-to-wall windows that frame ridgeline views. Inside, these unique vacation rentals often add game rooms, theaters, and bunk bedrooms that make big family trips easy to organize.
Location-wise, Sevierville’s unique vacation rentals hit a sweet spot: you’re close to Pigeon Forge attractions, Dollywood, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but far enough from the neon to actually hear the trees at night. That combination—nature without losing convenience—keeps these unique vacation rentals booked year-round by families, reunions, and groups who want both roller coasters and quiet porches. From wood cabins, we move to coastlines and pools.
7. Private Villas and Pool Homes in Cancún, Mexico
Cancún isn’t just all-inclusive towers lining Zona Hotelera. Venture into residential zones and nearby gated communities and you’ll find unique vacation rentals that feel more like private estates than standard beach units. Many of these villas offer private pools, walled gardens, shaded terraces, and open-plan living rooms designed for big groups or extended families. In these unique vacation rentals, the focus is on shared space, not just bed count.
Being in Cancún means your unique vacation rentals sit within easy reach of Playa Delfines, ferry terminals for Isla Mujeres, and day trips down the coast to Playa del Carmen or Tulum. You get the nightlife and restaurants when you want them, then retreat to a quieter residential pocket when you don’t. For travelers who want a mix of independence and resort-level sunshine, these Cancún unique vacation rentals hit the brief perfectly. From the Caribbean, we circle back to European stone and sea.
8. Historic Mills and Stone Homes on Kea, Greece
The island of Kea (also known as Tzia), just a short ferry ride from Lavrio near Athens, is home to unique vacation rentals that look straight out of an old travel poster. One of the stand-out styles here are converted stone mills and traditional stone houses set on several acres overlooking the Aegean. These unique vacation rentals typically feature thick walls, arched doorways, and large terraces built for long, lazy meals in the breeze.
Kea’s unique vacation rentals place you close to beaches like Koundouros and Otzias, as well as trails leading to ancient sites and hilltop chapels. Because Kea is less famous than islands like Mykonos or Santorini, the vibe stays quieter, and you get a more local feel without sacrificing comfort. For travelers who want history in their walls and sea views at breakfast, Kea’s unique vacation rentals are an easy “yes.” From Greek stone, we head into classic North American barn country.
9. Converted Barns and Group Retreats in Hershey, Pennsylvania
In the countryside around Hershey , Pennsylvania, you’ll find unique vacation rentals housed in restored barns that barely resemble their working past—until you spot the beams and ceilings. These sprawling properties can sleep large groups in multiple suites, often with game rooms, big communal kitchens, and bar areas built for reunions or retreats. For parties that outgrow standard houses, these unique vacation rentals keep everyone under one roof.
Beyond chocolate tours at Hersheypark and visits to Hershey’s Chocolate World, guests use these unique vacation rentals as basecamps for exploring small-town Pennsylvania, nearby breweries, and fields that still feel a world away from city hotels. Owners often lean into the setting with long farm tables, wraparound porches, and outdoor fire areas, turning these unique vacation rentals into destinations in their own right. From barns and beams, we go back to the woods.
10. Forest Chalets and Acreage Retreats in Salmon Arm, British Columbia
Near Salmon Arm and the broader Shuswap region, forest chalets on large private acreages offer unique vacation rentals for guests who prefer trees to traffic. These homes might wrap around interior “tree” structures, include lofts reached by unusual staircases, or feature high windows that pull the forest right indoors. These unique vacation rentals often come with big decks, fireplaces, and quiet walking paths straight from the property line.
Staying in Salmon Arm’s unique vacation rentals puts you close to Shuswap Lake, local wineries, and trails where you won’t pass many other people. In winter, it’s an easy drive to ski hills; in summer, you can split your time between hiking, paddling, and exploring local farm stands. Guests who crave seclusion without going fully off-grid gravitate toward these unique vacation rentals whenever they need a reset. From dense forests, we dial things back to city size and coastal charm.
11. Coastal Villages and Character Homes in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta combines cobblestone streets, Malecón sculpture walks, and Pacific sunsets, and its unique vacation rentals mirror that mix of tradition and flair. In neighborhoods like Zona Romántica and hillside districts above the bay, you’ll find casita-style homes with red-tiled roofs, wrought-iron balconies, and open-air courtyards that feel far from standard towers. These unique vacation rentals often include plunge pools, rooftop terraces, and local art that actually reflects Mexico instead of generic prints.
Being based in Puerto Vallarta’s unique vacation rentals means you can walk to Los Muertos Beach, duck into taco stands on side streets, or hop a boat out to Yelapa and Las Ánimas. Because these homes are embedded in real neighborhoods, you get a more local rhythm—morning bakery runs, evening strolls, and easy access to both nightlife and quiet backstreets—making these unique vacation rentals perfect for travelers who want more than an all-inclusive wristband. From the Pacific, we finish in one of Canada’s most beloved mountain resort towns.
12. Colorful Slopeside Villages in Silver Star, British Columbia
Silver Star Mountain Resort in British Columbia stands out not just for its snow but for its candy-colored village, and the unique vacation rentals tucked into that landscape are a big part of the charm. Many properties here are true ski-in/ski-out homes painted in bright hues, with balconies overlooking the village streets or the surrounding Monashee ranges. These unique vacation rentals feel more like living in a tiny alpine town than staying in a simple unit at the base.
Guests pick Silver Star’s unique vacation rentals for direct trail access in winter, then return in summer for biking, hiking, and wildflower views along the ridgelines. Even when you’re off the mountain, the village layout keeps everything walkable—cafés, pubs, and rental shops are all close. For families and groups who want colorful, compact, and slopeside, these unique vacation rentals deliver ski memories without the chaos of mega-resorts.
Why Unique Vacation Rentals Make Trips More Memorable
Standard rooms blur together; unique vacation rentals don’t. When your stay involves a yurt in the North Okanagan, a tiny house facing the ocean in Nova Scotia, or a restored barn in Pennsylvania, the accommodation becomes part of the story you tell later. With Owner Direct Vacation Rentals, you can filter and explore unique vacation rentals in these destinations and beyond, then choose the one that matches how you actually like to travel—quiet, social, adventurous, or somewhere in between.
Next Read: Millennial Travel Destinations
If you’re ready to go beyond “just a place to sleep,” start exploring more of the travel guides and destination ideas on the Owner Direct Vacation Rentals blog , then dive into the platform’s unique vacation rentals to find the next stay that guests in your group will still be talking about long after you’ve gone home.