From log chalets in Austria to rugged mountain retreats in Quebec, things are about to get REAL COZY.
Now that the excitement and bright lights of Christmas have come and gone, we’ve been thinking about ways to make the most of these next three months of winter. At our headquarters in Victoria (B.C., Canada) we haven’t even seen a hint of snow. Canada! And not even a modest dusting! As a result, we’ve got a hankering for peak wintertime getaways that involve things like wrapping up in alpaca hair blankets in front of the fireplace with a good read (and a stiff hot cocoa), or getting rosy cheeks tromping around snowshoeing outside in the sunshine. A mini winter getaway is in order, no? To inspire your next Winter is Awesome vacation, we came up with this list of the 11 most coziest, charming and quaint Airbnb stays we could find, all around the world:
1. Romantic Garden Cottage in Edinburgh, Scotland
It’s hard to imagine a rustic winter stay cozier than this 16th Century Dovecot garden cottage in Edinburgh. A dovecot is actually a building built to house pigeons or doves (don’t worry, the birds are long gone!), but thankfully this historic stone structure remains. Inside, the superhost owner has transformed it into an uber-romantic retreat, with a wood-beam ceiling, full kitchen (complete with a rustic stove), wood-burning fireplace and a modern wood-panelled bathroom straight out of Dwell. It’s secluded countryside but with city access: downtown Edinburgh is an easy 20-minute walk away, shops and restaurants in the Bruntsfield and Morningside neighbourhoods are a five-minute walk away. Plus, the Airbnb is fabulously well priced. This Enchanting 16th Century Dovecot Cottage in Private Garden from $209 per night.
2. Dream Pacific Northwest Mountain Chalet in Whistler, Canada
OK, so this might be the steepest price point on our list (from $1,298 per night), but don’t run away just yet! If you’ve got the bodies (this Whistler chalet sleeps 13), it might be the best epic dollar-for-dollar winter vacation of your life (at full capacity that’s only $99 each per night). Let’s start with the snowy Blackcomb Mountain views (which are a bit hard to avoid with panoramic 30-foot-high windows), and then there’s the space. Two living areas, a big family-style table for team meals, an indoor jacuzzi tub, outdoor hot tub, separate media room, sauna, fireplace—the list goes on. Plus, Whistler, if you ever feel like venturing outside, is probably Canada’s best ski and board mountain town, with world-class restaurants, pubs (and skiing of course) right on your doorstep. You’re a 15-minute walk from Whistler Village (the centre of the Whistler universe), but far enough to feel miles away from civilization. This Nighthawk Lane – Luxury with a View chalet in Whistler, B.C. from $1,298 per night.
3. Luxe Iceland Villa in the (Accessible) Countryside, Vesturland, Iceland
Around 40 minutes’ drive from Reykjavik, this balling Iceland villa is surrounded by Vesturland’s countryside and low-key hills. The home has a massive wood deck that’s outfitted with an outdoor jacuzzi and a glass-walled wood sauna, so you can warm up while you take in an evening show from the region’s dazzling Northern Lights. Inside, the four-bed, Nordic-style space is woodsy and modern, with natural stone, mid-century modern decor and lots of light. Even more rewards come to those who venture off-property: enjoy romantic walks to the Salmon Lake nearby, visit the natural hot spring swimming pool at Hladir, or see one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland, Glymur. The Maria Luxury Villa South-West in Iceland from $827 a night.
4. Old Town Charm (on the Cheap!) in Kraków, Poland
This converted modern attic in an early 20th Century building is the perfect home base for a stay in Kraków. Its bright and woodsy barn-chic design makes you feel like you’re in the countryside, but this top-floor two-bedroom apartment is right in the city centre (with a great view that looks out over the city rooftops). It’s 200 metres from the Main Market Square (one of Krakow’s main attractions) and a five-minute walk from Kazimierz, the city’s historic Jewish Quarter that’s jam-packed with independent galleries, quirky shops, vintage clothing stores and bars. Inside this apartment the owners have outfitted it with fun games, all the hotel accoutrements and you get all of this charm for the price of a hostel. This Spacious Rustic City Center Apartment, WiFi from $54 per night.
5. Modern Mountain Retreat, Lake Tahoe, U.S.
This space is sort of like glamping meets rustic mountain lodge. A lot of the design trappings are here that make it feel like a cabin in the woods: antler chandelier, mounted stag head, fireplace. But you also have a full hosting kitchen for serving up flapjack breakfasts, a cool loft hangout space and three full-sized, invite-the-whole-family bedrooms that make it feel like you’re checking in at a luxe hotel after a day of skiing, dog sledding and ice skating in Lake Tahoe’s snow-covered wilderness. Plus, you’ve got the Hyatt Regency, the Northstar California Resort and nearly a dozen restaurants nearby. Lake Tahoe Retreat: from $215 a night.
6. Mod Pine Wood Chalet Escape in Salzburg, Austria
Log-chalet chic with all the cozy elements we love: a fireplace surrounded by a roomy sectional (prime spot for some serious book reading), pine walls urwhere and your own private sauna(!). It’s bright and double-height with big windows to take in the winter wonderland outside, and the modern, open-plan design means you can have everyone together, whether people are cooking in the adorable kitchen (the cabin’s credo hangs on the wall: “We Love Ski”), chilling out in front of the fire, or having morning coffee at the breakfast table. These hosts have just totally nailed the mod log cabin; nothing about this place is dark, lacquered or mahogany ’90s. The ultra-cool Hütte am Wald in Salzburg from $156 per night.
7. The Ultimate Family Chalet Getaway, Mont Tremblant, Canada
There are five bedrooms inside this rustic French Canadian log chalet (YOU get a queen bed, and YOU get a queen bed and YOU get a queen bed!, etc.), and it’s situated at the edge of a wood, just a 25-ish minute drive from the Mont Tremblant ski resort (which just got 22 centimetres of fresh snow, athankyou). This place is massive with two fireplaces, a luxurious claw-foot soaker tub, deck jacuzzi, bathroom on each floor and full kitchen and dining. Every square inch of this place fits the winter chalet aesthetic: wood beams and panelling, stone work, fur textiles, leather sofas and industrial lighting. Enough space for you and nine of your favourite family members. This Mont-Tremblant – Residences Boutique from $540 per night.
8. Brooklyn Heritage Classic in New York City, U.S.
First of all, let’s talk about how amazing it is to find anywhere to stay in New York City for around $200 USD. This separate-entrance, two-bedroom guest suite is in the top floor of a private house that’s only a block off the Williamsburg waterfront and it runs for $239 per night. OK, so you’re not downtown NYC, but across-the-bridge Brooklyn might be even cooler (it’s the historic hipster epicentre after all). And, inside this Airbnb you can get your cozy on with hardwood floors, restored original brick walls, a classy library, wood-burning fireplace and vintage prewar cooking stove that’s going to make every cooking pot look stellar. P.S. for travel ideas check out our post on Wicked-Awesome Winter Things to Do in New York City This January. And for this “the Country” & the NYC Waterfront Airbnb click here, from $239 per night.
9. The Quintessential Alpine View Stay in Ramsau, Germany
Willkommen to the Sound of Music, “Hills Are Alive” mountainside b&b you’ve always dreamed of. As part of the mountaineering village Ramsau (about two hours from Munich, Germany and an hour and a half’s drive from Salzburg, Austria), the home is perched 1,000 metres up in the mountains, and is appropriately alpine-chic. Spare wood furniture complements bright rooms that capitalize on the stunning, “I can’t believe this is outside my window” views. The master has a huge picture window that frames the mountains and the kitchen has a full-length glass door, so everywhere you look you’ll be struck by the stunning mountains around you. The circa 1880 house was fully renovated in 2017, but each room has a piece of original furniture. The Haus Eggergütl in Germany sleeps four, from $156 per night.
10. Scandi-Chic Downtown Apartment in Helsinki, Finland
Scandinavian design lovers, eat your heart out! Perhaps a classic modern (and mostly white) Finnish interior might not scream “cozy” to everyone at first, but this Helsinki penthouse with its soft light, ash floors and industrial/farmhouse furniture and decor is very Danish hygge. There’s a grocery store, boutique shopping and restaurants right downstairs, so it’s ideal for city slickers who want to stay right in the heart of all the action—Helsinki’s city centre is less than a 10-minute walk away. This home also has a spacious kids room (complete with story-time teepee) making it a great option for families, too. This 3 Bedrooms 125 sq m. Downtown Apartment in Helsinki, Finland from $344 per night.
11. Garden Farmhouse Escape in Wandlitz, (Close to Berlin) Germany
This just-outside-of Berlin Airbnb is advertised as a “summer house” in an orchard, which makes it a fantastically well priced find for winter. Charming mismatched chairs around a farmhouse table and drying herb and flower decor are just a couple of the scenes that make every corner of this place Instagrammable. There’s also a cozy fireplace for sipping toffee-nut hot chocolates and for nearby exploring: three beautiful lakes, Lanke Castle, and the quaint town of Biesenthal about six kilometres away. This Summer House in Wandlitz, Germany near Berlin, from $188 per night.
