The trip I’m most excited about in 2019 is a weekend at Lake Tahoe to celebrate my 30th birthday. Mostly because all my friends from the east coast are trekking out here to visit (yay!!). But I’ve also always dreamed of renting a winter cabin in the woods – complete with a hot tub for apres-ski dips, a fireplace and cozy lodge vibes. And with a group of 10+ people, the price is only $150 per person for a three-day holiday weekend!
As much as I love the luxury of a hotel room, sometimes nothing beats renting your own place and living like a local out in the middle of nowhere. And, renting a house can be MUCH more affordable than staying in a hotel, especially if you’re with a group. In addition to the lower nightly rate, you can save money by cooking at home and enjoying a bottle of wine by the fireplace or on a deck with breathtaking views. And at many rentals, the house itself is part of the experience.
I combed my go-to rental sites and found the best Airbnb rentals and Homeaway rentals of 2019. These are 7 incredible yet affordable weekend getaway houses that will meet all your #TravelGoals this year.
And the usual disclosure: this post contains referral and affiliate links, meaning I’ll earn a small commission if you book after clicking.
1. A Hacienda Near Joshua Tree that Sleeps 6
This two-bedroom, two-bath hacienda sleeps six guests and is just 10 minutes away from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park (and less than a 2.5-hour drive from Los Angeles). The property has over 100 Joshua Trees, incredible porch views, a jacuzzi, luxurious mattresses and bedding from Casper and a hammock room. With a $305 nightly rate, guests would each pay only $102 for the weekend if you had a full group of six.
New to Airbnb? Click here to sign up through my referral link and earn up to $55 in travel credit.
2. A Screened-in Glamping Experience in The Berkshires
Not quite sure this qualifies as a “house” given that the walls are actually screens and there’s no electricity, but how incredible is this glamping spot? While it technically sleeps five, this looks like the perfect romantic getaway for two – and you can even bring your pup. There’s an outdoor fire pit for cooking and roasting marshmallows and plenty of nearby hikes to explore. It’s a little over two hours’ drive from Boston, 1.5 hours from Albany and under 4 hours from NYC, with a nightly rental rate of $225.
New to Airbnb? Click here to sign up through my referral link and earn up to $55 in travel credit.
3. A Spacious 2BR Cabin in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains
This cozy getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains ticks all the boxes of my cabin dreams: fireplace, wraparound deck, an outdoor hot tub and a game room complete with a pool table, ping pong and board games. It’s less than a two-hour drive from Atlanta, and under four hours from Nashville, and costs just $109 a night on average for the whole place – a steal! Make this your base camp for hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains and exploring the Chattahoochee National Forest, taking a dip in nearby lakes and rivers or hitting up local wineries and breweries.
Click here to book this property through HomeAway.
4. This Wyoming Condo with Epic Views
People flock to Wyoming for the insane views, and this 2BR condo that sleeps 8 offers spectacular views of the Grand Teton peaks. Plus, it has all the amenities you could want like a washer/dryer, fully stocked kitchen, fireplace and deck. It’s a short drive from Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park, making it perfect for a ski trip or outdoor adventure getaway. If you pack the house, it’s a mere $36 per person per night.
Click here to book this property through HomeAway.
5. This Over-the-Top Treehouse with an Elevator
If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a treehouse but don’t want to climb up to a treehouse, then this Airbnb is for you. This unique treehouse in Florida has to be one of the best Airbnb rentals I’ve come across. It has everything you could ever need (a gas grill and fireplace, a private shower and air conditioning) and much more you probably don’t need (an elevator, mood lighting and a bidet in the bathroom). It sleeps just two guests but is only $150 per night, an affordable rate for such a unique property.
New to Airbnb? Click here to sign up through my referral link and earn up to $55 in travel credit.
6. A Private Villa in Portugal with River and Mountain Views from the Pool
This countryside house outside Porto sleeps nine, and with such beautiful views, you’ll want to hang out here with your crew all day. The house has two floors complete with a fully equipped kitchen and four bedrooms, and is located on a farm with chicken and sheep. It’s just 30 minutes from the city, so still plenty easy to explore – one of the best Airbnb rentals for a large group looking to relax.
New to Airbnb? Click here to sign up through my referral link and earn up to $55 in travel credit.
7. This Ocean-Front Villa, Which Has an Outdoor Shower Overlooking a Waterfall
Would you rather have views of a waterfall or the ocean from your Caribbean villa? At this spot, you don’t have to choose. The 2BR villa (sleeps 4) has TWO outdoor showers, one of which overlooks a waterfall. Perched on a mountainside, the villa’s deck and private hot tub both overlook the Sir Francis Drake Channel at the British Virgin Islands. This property is located on St. John, which is just a short ferry from the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.
Click here to book this property through HomeAway.
Read my guide to a weekend in the US & British Virgin Islands.
That wraps up my picks for the best Airbnb rentals and Homeaway rentals of 2019! Which one is your favorite?!
You’ve created a great list of affordable and incredible rentals here. They’re all so different but all very appealing. The tree house rental looks like fun.
We love artistic home design and we dream of having our own dream house one day, and we are on our way there with Artsy Guesthouse – our first Airbnb unit in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Great Information! We found a platform about curated / unique lodgings in Malaysia. It’s an awesome place to visit.