Florida is one of the most exciting states in the US, offering world-renowned theme parks, stunning national parks, vibrant nightlife, exceptional restaurants, and cool attractions. However, before you check in to a hotel, you would be wise to learn about the alternative accommodation options available for a unique travel experience.
Rather than settling for a boring hotel room, rest your head at a more distinctive destination. Here are seven unusual accommodations in Florida you must book.
1. Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
Skip dull hotels and sleep under millions of stars at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. Featuring one king bed and two twins, it is a top spot for families of four or fewer who are looking to get away from it all.
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo provides all the fun of camping and the comfort of a resort. There is no need to pitch a tent or pull out a sleeping bag, as you will spend the night in a spacious glamping tent with real beds, furniture, quality linens, and heating and air conditioning.
Sleeping up to 4 guests, it is a perfect spot for a small family wanting to sleep under five million stars, make s’mores over a community fire pit, or tell ghost stories around a campfire lit nightly by staff.
Spending time in the great outdoors is anything but boring at this stunning glamping spot, as you can chat over good food at a private picnic table, play fun board games, and toast to a successful trip on two rocking chairs.
2. Holly Bluff Marina
The family-owned Holly Bluff Marina provides a sense of calm from the chaos of Orlando’s theme parks or busy Daytona Beach. Stay in a pontoon or houseboat, explore the river, and spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
Experience a taste of real Central Florida at Holly Bluff Marina. Located on St. Johns River in DeLand, it is a calming backdrop away from the atmospheric Orlando theme parks, which are a short drive away. You will spend every night in a houseboat or pontoon boat, which will allow you to breathe in the beauty of this unspoiled paradise throughout your stay. It is a perfect base for those who want to explore Orlando’s top attractions or visit Daytona Beach, as it is located between them both.
It is a world away from the crowds you will find at Walt Disney World, allowing you to sample both sides of O-Town. You will feel at peace when cruising along the beautiful river, spotting manatees, or watching turtles and alligators explore their natural habitat.
3. Lorax Loft
Enjoy privacy and seclusion at the idyllic Lorax Loft, a quaint treehouse in Coldwater Creek, which offers many home comforts, little luxuries, and beautiful surroundings.
Lorax Loft is a fun way to spend a vacation in Florida. Sleeping up to two people, you will relax and sleep in a cottage perched in a beautiful tree on Coldwater Creek near Milton, Florida. It is hard not to feel wowed once you step inside this charming treehouse, as it features a king-size bed, a mini kitchen, a fireplace, and a champagne soaker tub.
Many home comforts will make your stay complete, such as a coffee pot, a microwave, a mini fridge, a mini stove top, and a toaster. Also, make your way down to the deck to warm up around the fire pit ring, cook dinner on a grill, dine at a picnic table, and kick back on some beach chairs.
4. Katie’s Light
Breathe in the beauty of Amelia Island at Katie’s Light, a stunning lighthouse replica that offers gorgeous beachfront views.
You will never forget a stay at Katie’s Light on the coast of Amelia Island. It is a stunning replica of the historic Thomas Point Lighthouse in Chesapeake Bay and offers character-filled accommodation for up to eight guests. The exterior will not only provide a beautiful backdrop for family vacation photos, but the interior is cozy and inviting, ensuring you have an enjoyable stay.
You and your loved ones can come together in the living room, dining area, kitchen, or deck to create new memories. Also, you can each enjoy some privacy in the three bedrooms and three bathrooms with a shower or bath. Guaranteed, you will feel at home at this unusual vacation home, as it features a full kitchen, three bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, quality bed linen, and air conditioning.
5. Floating Cottage
Enjoy the gentle movement of water underneath Floating Cottage in Sanford, Florida, which will relax the mind and body while helping you drift off to sleep each night.
Floating Cottage is another unusual accommodation option on St. Johns River and sleeps up to four guests. Unlike most vacation homes, this magical cottage gently floats along the water, providing magnificent views throughout the day and a tranquil sound as you fall asleep each night. Few moments can rival relaxing on the picturesque porch with a drink while watching turtles swim to your accommodation in the hope of food.
Expect to step inside a light, airy space thanks to the cathedral ceiling in the living room, which bathes the property in natural sunlight. Featuring hardwood flooring, a full-size sofa bed, French doors, and an electric fireplace, you will feel instantly relaxed in this unique vacation home.
Cook up a feast for the whole clan in the fully equipped kitchen, as it includes a five-burner gas stove, a full-size refrigerator with a door ice dispenser, a dishwasher, and everyday countertop appliances.
6. Grasshopper Lodge
Embrace the wilderness at rustic Grasshopper Lodge, which sleeps up to two guests. It is a secluded spot for enjoying various pursuits at Ocala National Forest, such as hiking, fishing, or canoeing.
Outdoor enthusiasts will fall head over heels in love with Grasshopper Lodge, a secluded retreat on Big Grasshopper Lake at Ocala National Forest. The rustic property was crafted using all-local wood, with the interior featuring knotty sand-pine ceilings and walls, cypress floors, and cedar doors, adding natural warmth and charm.
The charming interior will make you feel excited about curling up in front of the wood-burning fireplace, cooking in the fully equipped open kitchen with lake views, or sleeping in a comfortable king-size bed.
It will provide a relaxing, private base between hiking, fishing, birdwatching, or canoeing outdoors. Once day turns to night, curl up with your loved ones in front of the home theater inside the comfortable living room or bedroom.
7. Island Hotel & Restaurant
Thirteen ghosts are thought to roam Island Hotel & Restaurant, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It is a unique stay in Florida that is not for the faint of heart.
If you would like to stay in accommodation with a twist, Island Hotel & Restaurant might be exactly what you are looking for during a stay. The historic property dates back to 1859 and has walls that are 12 inches thick, which have helped it withstand countless hurricanes and storms throughout the decades. It is sure to be a draw for history and architectural lovers, but its heritage and charm isn’t the only reason to book a stay.
Many ghost stories have emerged throughout the decades about the century-old property, which has attracted thrill seekers and ghost hunters from across the world. The hotel was even featured in the 1999 TV series Haunted Mansions & Inns, and the show continues to attract guests who are looking for proof ghosts exist.
If you are not afraid of no ghosts, it might be an exciting spot to stay for a night or two, as 13 of them are believed to roam the property, including a Southern Army soldier who guards the second floor, and the hotel’s previous owners, Bessy and “Gibby” Gibbs. You must stay here to believe it.
When you are not looking out for ghosts, you can relax in a charming room with a traditional ambiance, as it is free of TVs and telephones. It is a great spot to relax before nightfall, as you can sit back with a drink on one of two rocking chairs on your balcony or in the lobby, or you and your other half can enjoy a romantic moment on the hotel’s double swing. You can then wake up the next day to a delicious complimentary breakfast in the dining room or on the screened porch. You will not forget your time at Island Hotel & Restaurant.
