Colorado’s Most Unique Vacation Rentals

May 13, 2021

To say we love unique vacation rentals is a bit of an understatement. We seek them out wherever we go, the stranger and more remote the better, and we don’t think we’re alone in our obsession. Most of the unique Airbnbs we share on this travel and photography blog have hundreds of amazing reviews from people just like us seeking cool and unusual places to stay for their next vacation or road trip.

With this in mind, we’re sharing the most unique vacation rentals we’ve discovered here in our home base of Colorado, most of which we’ve stayed in first-hand. Our favorite? If you’re looking for the most wow factor, it’s really hard to beat the unique noir vibes of The Black Monarch (seen above). But they’re all truly fun and different, and you won’t go wrong with any of these amazing Colorado rentals.

The Mermaid Cottage — Del Norte

On an off-grid ranch in Del Norte, just north of the San Luis Valley, is a carefully crafted cordwood casita known as The Mermaid Cottage that inspires sustainable living.

Built for a mere $5,000 by the couple in 2009 and kicked off amid a cordwood building seminar by Rob and Jaki Roy, rural New York-based cordwood masons who educate others about the practice, the project took Mike and KimAnna about 10 months to complete.

Since staying here in July of 2019, we became so fascinated (and borderline obsessed) with the beautiful simplicity and energy efficiency of cordwood structures that we traveled to New York in July of 2020 to learn how to build a cordwood home from the Roy’s themselves. Check out our article Cordwood Building for Mortgage Freedom to see how easy and affordable these structures are to build.

Stump Henge — Dolores

Forget what you know about tiny dwellings. This authentically replicated Sheepherder’s wagon set on a quiet homestead in Dolores, Colorado is a perfectly curious overnight stop near Mesa Verde National Park.

Owned and operated by two teachers, the interior of this wagon, named Stump Henge, is surprisingly spacious, smartly configured, and welcoming.

The Black Monarch — Victor

The Black Monarch is hands-down the most unique boutique hotel we’ve ever spent a night in. Some guests (and the owner) say it’s haunted. And while we didn’t experience any spectral spooks, there was this one door that kept opening on its own. Curious!

We love The Black Monarch not only for their fantastically cool aesthetics, but the hotel is also trying to help revitalize the surrounding town of Victor, Colorado as they expand. Victor is a historic former mining district and is part of the Gold Belt Scenic Byway. The Black Monarch has already drawn hundreds if not thousands to Victor, which is pretty damn remarkable considering its rural location. This hotel is true hidden gem not to be missed!

CARBONDALE AIRSTREAM + TEEPEE

To further our obsession with Colorado’s coolest vacation rentals, we recently discovered an amazing off-grid Airstream and teepee in the rural backcountry outside of Carbondale that we couldn’t believe we had never seen before on Airbnb.

What’s great about this unique Colorado Airbnb is it combines a teepee, which also features a gas fire for staying warm on chilly mountain evenings, with a fantastic Airstream that has everything you need. Also, its location makes a great home base for travel between both Aspen and Glenwood Springs and other surrounding mountain towns. The airstream can be found on Airbnb under the listing name Airstream & Tipi near Aspen at Ten Peaks Ranch.

IDLEWILD STAGECOACH—lake George

Tucked away on a horse farm in Lake George, Colorado is a cabin and former stagecoach stop full of simple country charm. Warm and lovely, this rustic hideaway is a great place to relax and unwind. There are also several acres of aspen groves and bouldered ridges to explore right on the property. This curious cottage stands as a reminder to Old Colorado living. For added fun, the original four-person outhouse still remains!

The Idlewild Stage Coach is one of Colorado’s most unique cabin rentals. Get off-grid for your next vacation!

The Trolley Car — Old Colorado City

Just a few steps away from the charming historic district of Old Colorado City is a restored 1850s Pullman Train Car hiding right in plain sight, and it just might be one of the more curious vacation rentals in all of Colorado.

When you see The Trolley Car from the exterior, it looks pretty much just like an ordinary cottage. No one would ever guess that it’s an important relic of transportation history. But when you step inside, you can’t help but try to figure out which parts are original and what’s been altered in this unique rental.

See more from our experience in The Trolley Car and take a closer look at this renovation wonder. Book here on Airbnb.

FOUR CORNERS TINY HOUSE — MESA VERDE

Visiting Mesa Verde National Park is one of the coolest and most unique things to do in Colorado. If you’re planning a trip to this amazing national park and you’re looking for a place to stay in the four corners area, this tiny house would make a great home base for exploring the park and other nearby sights.

Listed as The 4 Corners Tiny House on Airbnb, this Cortez vacation rental is clean and comfortable and has everything you need. But what makes this place unique is its absolutely amazing view. Click on the button below to see what we mean! Gaze out across a landscape backdropped by snow-capped mountains, sit and watch the moonset while sipping your morning coffee (yes, we’re up that early), or end the evening stargazing by the fire. You won’t forget this place for its tranquil setting.

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Image Credits:

The Black Monarch, The Mermaid Cottage, Stump Henge, Carbondale Airstream + Teepee, Idlewood Stagecoach, The Trolley Car, and Four Corners Tiny House photos by Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; all other listing photos courtesy of Airbnb. For Pinterest Pin image credits, please click on the related Pin image.