With the summer in full swing and thousands of Brits heading to the airport each week the guys at homeaway.co.uk have shared their top ten unusual holiday homes. Perfect for those a little more adventurous or those just bored with the traditional holiday hotel room!
1. WINDMILL
Detached seven storey windmill with heated pool, UK
7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 15. From £2,500 per week
A totally unique holiday rental, this windmill has been completely renovated to provide a stunning holiday home. Standing imposingly within its large garden, the property offers 360 degree views stretching up to 20 miles. The windmill boasts much character – internal beams, oak floors, wood stove, open fires and the former workings of the old mill. The huge kitchen has French doors that lead to the garden, which features a heated pool and a large BBQ area.
2. WATERMILL
A magical, secluded watermill set in its own valley in Andalucia, Spain
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. From £558 per week
The mill is a truly unique property, a wonderful rural retreat set in its own private valley, surrounded by over a hectare of mature woodland and a constantly flowing river cascading down through the finca forming numerous natural pools. The mill house itself offers spacious accommodation over three levels and has been carefully restored over several years, retaining much of its rustic charm – the old mill workings and grinding stones are still there!
3. ITALLIAN TRULLO
Luxury trullo with private pool, close to the sea in Puglia, Italy
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6. From £1,150 per week
With restoration completed in April 2009, Trullo Bellissimo is ready to welcome guests to its unique blend of luxury and ethnic charm. The property, with two double bedrooms and each with its own en-suite bathroom will comfortably accommodate four people. Two daybeds offer additional flexibility, if required. Set in its own olive grove, with stunning terraces, gardens and a private swimming pool, Trullo Bellissimo offers the ideal location to explore and enjoy the culture, food and people of Puglia. Originally three separate buildings, the oldest 300 years old, Bellissimo has been sympathetically restored and joined to reveal original stone walls, arches and vaulted ceilings.
4. CAVE
Cosy cave house with wonderful views over Sierra Nevada
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5. From £608 per week
Located in Lopera, in inland Andalucia, it features a large terrace boasting spellbinding views over Sierra Nevada. Lopera is attached to Cortes and Graena. It is a peaceful village with a now rare rural atmosphere. It makes a wonderful place in which to relax or carry out any number of open air activities, without forgetting its proximity to Granada (25 mins away).
5. BOAT
Classical Dutch houseboat within walking distance of Amsterdam city centre
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4. £1,103 per week
The Beagle is an old two storey house boat that offers spectacular views over the dock from the common room and the roof terrace and is surrounded by several historical and architecturally interesting buildings and museums. The spacious common room has large windows which offer an always changing view over the water. On the one side of the room there is a semi open-plan kitchen with all utensils and a small table for two. In the middle of the room there are two convenient couches and a hammock to chill out and enjoy the free tea and coffee.
6. CONVERTED CHURCH
Luxurious and spacious church conversion, Scottish Highlands, UK
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 7. From £595 per week
This luxurious church conversion offers an unrivalled self-catering holiday in the coastal village of Lybster. Designed for practicality and comfort, offering a well-equipped kitchen, family-friendly layout, spacious and luxurious bedrooms with their own en-suite shower rooms and fabulous gallery lounge, this unique property offers the ultimate in luxury, warmth and charm. Appointed with quality fixtures and fittings, every effort has been taken to preserve the church walls, the deep window recesses, cathedral style windows and the retention of the original church beams.
7. LIGHTHOUSE
Stunning lighthouse cottage with spectacular views, Ireland
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5. From £620 per week
This is a luxurious detached lighthouse cottage located beside Roches Point Lighthouse. Offering spectacular views of both the Atlantic and the entrance to Cork Harbour, Roches Point Lighthouse guards the entrance to the second largest natural harbour in the world. The property is part of the Lighthouse complex and includes a secure gated entrance, as well as three bedrooms, a patio with amazing views of the harbour and an internal courtyard.
8. MOROCCAN RIAD
Stylish riad with pool in Marrakech’s historic Medina
5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 11. £331 per night
Stylish Riad Porte Royale is set in the spiritual heart of the Medina. Dating back to around 1750, the riad has five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. Restored by master craftsmen, traditional finishes enhance the clean lines. In the luminous courtyard, the plunge pool mirrors the dramatic portico and the ancient ‘porte royale’. Textiles, rugs, and art objects from the old caravan routes of Asia and Africa accent the white bedrooms. There are several corners to relax in the courtyard and on the roof terrace.
9. SALT WAREHOUSE An old salt warehouse just over the sea in Galicia, Spain
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 3. From £347 per week
Casa do Sal is a little cottage for two or three people right on the shore in the fishing town of Combarro in Galicia, Northern Spain. It was the old salt warehouse for the fishermen, now restored into a lovely holiday house. Enjoy the unforgettable views of the Pontevedra estuary, the sounds of the sea while you sleep, the property has such a good position you can feed the fish from the window!
10. STONE HAMLET
15th century stone hamlet in Umbria, Italy
Prices range from £744 for a 3-bedroom cottage to a starting price of £992 for a 4-bedroom villa
In a secluded valley, within a huge olive tree estate, Pianciano is a stone hamlet built in the 15th century. It is dominated by the magnificent villa Paradiso, built at the end of 1600. In the hamlet, three accurately restored and furnished cottages are perfect for a peaceful holiday. It is possible to rent from one ‘room with a view’ for a romantic holiday up to the all hamlet (max 20).
