Travel is back on the agenda, and those with wanderlust are busy planning their next trips with many using Airbnb’s wishlist function to bookmark future stays.
When it comes to where to stay, listings categorised as unique properties are finding favour with travellers around the world.
The categories on Airbnb includes barns, boats, trains, yurts, huts and more, as nights booked at unique properties on the site have increased globally by about 50 per cent since 2019.
Unique properties are also the highest ranked listings on the accommodation booking platform, averaging a 4.8-star review. Shepherd’s huts, barns and trains have the best average reviews, but tiny homes are the most popular unique listings with more than 2.5 million nights booked in 2021.
When it comes to future stays, treehouses lead the pack. A leafy residence in the branches of a 400-year-old oak tree in East Point, Georgia, tops Airbnb's list of the most wishlisted unique stays in the world.
We round up the 10 most popular properties, and offer an insight into what travellers are craving — spanning everything from a villa inside a cave in Crete, to a private room in a medieval Irish castle.
Scroll through the gallery above to see what the top 10 properties look like, or find them here:
1. Treehouse inside a 400-year-old oak tree in Georgia, US
Tucked away in a leafy neighbourhood in East Point, Georgia, is Airbnb’s most wishlisted unique listing. The double-storey treehouse sits in a 400-year-old tree and channels a chic rustic vibe, and has plenty of modern touches to keep travellers happy. Guests can add on luxury experiences such as a celebrity-chef cooked three-course meal, an hour of live music from a violinist or an on-site couples massage. There's also a hot tub and a huge outdoor area to unwind in.
2. Mushroom dome retreat in California, US
Sleeping under a geodesic dome in this cosy retreat in California’s Redwood Grove is a haven of serenity, where the only night-time noises you’ll hear are chirping crickets. Surrounded by trees, the semi-rustic cabin sleeps up to three people and has a small kitchen, chill out space and an elevated wooden terrace, decorated with fairy lights. It's officially a meditation zone, and guests booking to stay also have access to the Paradise Suite, a room inside the host's unique home.
3. Redwood treehouse in the Santa Cruz Mountains, US
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California, this treehouse has a real tree growing right through the main living area, and another in the bathroom. It has a wood-burning stove, welcoming rustic interiors and an outdoor hot-tub for the ultimate forest-bathing session. It's also surrounded by endless greenery making it the perfect escape for a nature getaway.
4. Ancient trullo in the countryside in Apulia, Italy
This ancient trullo is surrounded by panoramic countryside views in Italy’s Apulia. The 300-year-old building is typical of the traditional construction of this region of Puglia and the house looks over a quiet valley with endless green views. Relax on a hammock, keep warm at the wood burning stove and wander the four acres of garden where olive, almond and cherry trees grow.
5. Historic tower in Umbria, Italy
Check into this old tower in a protected zone of Italy that spans the Umbrian and Tuscan countryside. Rooms in this luxury stay are tastefully decorated and come with views over Lake Trasimeno. It's also an Airbnb Plus listing, meaning it comes with “exceptional hospitality”, and plenty of amenities such as towels, hairdryers and coffee-makers. There's also a private garden and barbecue area. Guests visiting in summer can cool off in a sizeable swimming pool.
6. Luxury cave villa in Crete, Greece
Set inside a completely natural cave, this villa was previously a family house and then a place to store agricultural products, but it's since been renovated and converted into a fully-equipped studio capable of sleeping families of four. It channels Boho vibes and has a dining room, small kitchen and queen bedroom, as well as a spacious balcony with view of Kissamos bay and the surrounding mountains.
7. Rainforest treehouse in San Carlos, Costa Rica
Part of the Bio Thermales natural resort in Costa Rica’s San Carlos, this treehouse is located on 35 acres of organic rainforest. Nearby hot and cold natural springs bubble up through the forest floor, laden with mineral rich waters ideal for dipping in. There's also a large swimming pool in a nearby meadow, and a children’s pool for little ones — who can stay at the Airbnb entirely free of charge.
8. Dreamy treehouses in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Deep in the mountains of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand is the DreamCaught treehouse. Guests can relax among the surrounding natural beauty with rolling hills and river views. A wrap-around private deck is the ideal place to take in the sunset, and if you're staying more than three nights, you’ll get a free Thai cooking class with the host.
9. Irish castle in Galway, Ireland
This unique listing in Ireland is part-medieval castle and part-family home. Guests have private access to two storeys inclusive of a living room, kitchen, bathroom and master bedroom which is the highest room in the ancient building. Dating back to the 1400s, the castle has been restored to its original state using traditional materials and is the ideal place to cosy up by the fireplace when visiting the west of Ireland.
10. Quaint old church in Brandenburg, Germany
This rustic loft-style stay in an old church is in east Germany. Located in Brandenburg, the 18th-century, red brick building has been designed in typical Prussian style and overlooks the Havel river. Inside, there’s a barn-like apartment with 10 metre-high ceilings and a wooden loft space. You’ll be sleeping in the church gallery, where the organ once stood.
SQUAD
Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammed Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Saeed Ahmed, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Muhammed Jumah, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Sri Lanka v England
First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
PLAY-OFF%20DRAW
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Company profile: buybackbazaar.com
Name: buybackbazaar.com
Started: January 2018
Founder(s): Pishu Ganglani and Ricky Husaini
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech, micro finance
Initial investment: $1 million
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
Kanye%20West
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RESULTS
Mumbai Indians 181-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata Knight Riders 168-6 (20ovs)
Mumbai won by 13 runs
Rajasthan Royals 152-9 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 155-4 (18.4 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets
Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
Results
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Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,000mm, Winners: Mumayaza, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winners: Sharkh, Pat Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep - Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup - Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Match info
Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335
Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
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Barings Bank
Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal.
Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson.
Leeson gambled more than $1 billion in speculative trades,
wiping out the venerable merchant bank’s cash reserves.
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Scoreline
Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)
New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)
MATCH INFO
Burnley 0
Man City 3
Raheem Sterling 35', 49'
Ferran Torres 65'
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
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