3 Unique Stays for Nature Lovers: From Glamping Domes to Floating Cabins
This article is authored by Sarah Gill
Tired of the usual hotels and hostels? I get it. After years of bouncing between budget rooms and cookie-cutter stays, I craved something different, something that didn’t just give me a place to sleep, but an experience.
That’s when I stumbled upon a whole world of unusual, nature-immersed stays that completely changed the way I travel.
Forget beige walls and tiny shampoo bottles. These places immerse you in the wild, make you feel small under the stars, and turn a regular trip into an adventure you’ll never forget.
Ready to shake things up? Here are three unforgettable stays that will make you rethink where you lay your head at night.
Table of Contents
Glamping Domes
If you’ve ever dreamed of falling asleep under the stars without giving up a warm bed, a glamping dome might just be the perfect spot for you.
These unique, bubble-like structures are popping up all over the world, offering travelers a front-row seat to nature with a cozy, design-forward twist.
What Are Glamping Domes
Futuristic-looking, cozy spaces that feel like you’re in a sci-fi movie. Picture a bubble of comfort set right in the middle of nature – whether that’s a desert, a forest, or a mountain peak.
These domes are designed to blend with the environment while offering a unique space that feels both adventurous and snug.
Why Stay in a Glamping Dome
Glamping domes are perfect for stargazing. Many have panoramic bay windows or even clear roofs, so you can fall asleep watching the constellations and wake up to the glow of dawn filtering through the trees.
They let you experience nature up close – without sacrificing warmth, a comfortable bed, or even a small stove to keep you cozy. It’s a fun, fresh twist on the typical glamping setup that makes you feel like you’re living inside a nature documentary.
Example: Space Cowboys Terlingua, Texas
If you’ve ever wanted to sleep under the vast desert sky, Space Cowboys in Terlingua, Texas, is the place. With Hypedome glamping pods scattered across a wild, rugged landscape, this spot allows you to enjoy the Milky Way shining bright above you and the silence of the desert stretching for miles.
It’s remote, it’s otherworldly, and it’s exactly the kind of place that makes you forget the outside world even exists.
Cliffside Pods
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes a little adrenaline with your morning coffee, cliffside pods might be your new obsession. These tiny, gravity-defying stays take “a room with a view” to a whole new level – literally.
What Are Cliffside Pods
Pods or small cabins perched on the edges of cliffs, often with glass walls or big windows that frame jaw-dropping views.
They’re designed to make the most of their location, whether it’s hanging over a fjord in Norway or overlooking the Sacred Valley in Peru. Staying in a cliffside pod feels like floating in the sky, with nothing but open space between you and the horizon.
Why Stay in a Cliffside Pod
For the thrill of it. There’s something both exhilarating and peaceful about waking up suspended high above a dramatic landscape, watching the sunrise paint the cliffs gold while sipping a hot cup of tea.
It’s a way to feel small in the best possible way – completely at the mercy of nature, yet safe in your cozy pod.
Example: Skylodge Adventure Suites, Peru
If you’ve got a head for heights, Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru is the ultimate cliffside experience.
These transparent pods cling to the side of a mountain in the Sacred Valley, offering 360-degree views of the valley and surrounding peaks. Getting there is an adventure in itself – you’ll need to climb a via ferrata or hike up a steep trail – but the reward is waking up to a view that will make you feel like you’re floating in the clouds.
READ MORE: 5 Best Multi-Day Hikes In Cusco, Peru That You Must Do!
Floating Cabins
Ever wanted to wake up surrounded by nothing but water, with the sound of gentle waves lapping against your doorstep? Floating cabins let you do just that – offering a peaceful escape that feels like your own private island, even if just for a night.
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What Are Floating Cabins
Floating cabins are exactly what they sound like: tiny homes or cozy lodges built on water, usually lakes, rivers, or calm coastal bays. Some are simple houseboats, while others are high-end cabins with full amenities.
They drift (sometimes literally) between adventure and relaxation, letting you step right from your bed to a morning kayak or a sunset swim.
Why Stay in a Floating Cabin
Because waking up on water is pure magic. There’s a sense of freedom that comes with floating – like the rest of the world is far away.
Plus, the water brings a certain rhythm to the day: the gentle rocking, the changing light on the surface, and the wildlife that comes and goes – ducks paddling by, fish jumping, maybe even the occasional otter if you’re lucky.
Example: Flo Floating Cabin, Norway
One of the most unique floating stays you can find in Europe is Flo Floating Cabin on the Halden Canal in Norway. This tiny off-grid cabin sits directly on the water, surrounded by stunning scenery.
You can paddle out in a canoe, fish right from the deck, or simply sit back and listen to the sounds of nature echoing across the water. At night, the cabin becomes a peaceful hideaway under the stars – just you, the water, and the wide-open sky.
READ MORE: 39 EPIC Things to Do in Europe Before You Die
Ready for Your Next Unforgettable Stay?
The world is full of unique places to stay – far beyond the usual hotels and hostels. Whether it’s sleeping in a futuristic dome under the stars, waking up to the thrill of a cliffside sunrise, or drifting off to sleep in a floating cabin surrounded by water, these stays transform a simple trip into a story you’ll tell for years.
So next time you’re planning an adventure, step out of your comfort zone. Trade the familiar for the unexpected. Whether it’s a dome, a cabin, or a pod, these nature-immersed stays invite you to slow down, breathe in the fresh air, and make your trip something truly special.
BIO:
Sarah Gill is a landscaper and outdoor living enthusiast from London. When she’s not designing smart garden spaces, she’s off exploring the world – often with her Irish Setter, Bailey, in tow. Sarah’s passion for glamping, nature, and unique design shapes her writing for the Hypedome blog.
