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From a livable UFO to a stunning Frank Lloyd Wright home, Netflix’s The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals is chock-full of drool-worthy locales that are worth a visit. While the first season chronicled plenty of trips, including living spaces in Bali, Hawaii, and Montana, this second season sees hosts Megan Batoon, Luis D. Ortiz, and Jo Franco traveling to even more places. On Netflix now, the show will take you to the Bahamas, Finland, and other international hot spots, along with plenty of domestic destinations. Whether you’re about to plan a trip or are just window-shopping, the series provides plenty to look at and learn about distinct homes and the cultures they’re situated within.
From 1882 to 1935, this vacation spot served as a functioning gristmill. Now, nearly 100 years after it stopped serving its original purpose, the Kingsley Grist Mill is a cozy three-bedroom rental. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the idiosyncratic building maintains many of its original features—like a large millstone, grain shoots, and gears—which serve as decorations throughout the space.
Conceived in 1968 by architect Matti Suuronen as an easily transportable prefab ski lodge, the extremely distinct-looking Area 55 Futuro House remains just as enticing as it was back in the mid–20th century. There are only 85 true Futuro Houses left across the globe, and this Joshua Tree gem is the only one in North America you can spend the night in. With furnishings inspired by the building’s UFO-like appearance, the spot is the perfect getaway for anyone excited by extraterrestrial life-forms.
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There’s plenty to explore at this expansive 100-year-old Finland vacation spot. When guests book the place, they receive free rein of the property’s three buildings, all of which are powered by renewable energy in an effort to preserve the natural beauty of Finland. You’re likely to spot the northern lights from the solar-powered glass igloo’s bedroom, while in the wood lodge, you can enjoy warming up by the fireplace as you soak in the rustic environs.
Located on a seven-acre lot in Colorado’s Pagosa Springs, the Wonder Haus is an earth home, meaning it’s carved into the ground for maximum energy efficiency and temperature consistency. With a tower specifically built for prime stargazing, the extremely eccentric space shows just how stylish eco-consciousness can be.
For the more modern-minded, Joshua Tree’s Invisible House is sure to wow. Thanks to its mirrored sides, the 2019 home practically vanishes into its desert surroundings—90 acres of which are included in the rental. Inside you’ll find a 100-foot heated pool, a truly distinct accent that anchors the living room, kitchen, and dining area. Despite the house’s many luxuries, the floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that you needn’t turn your back on the splendor of the desert.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Schwartz House
Fans of Frank Lloyd Wright, or anyone interested in experiencing architectural history, flock to this star rental that the iconic architect designed in 1938 for Life magazine’s “Dream House” feature. In classic Wright fashion, the home is awash with wood paneling, Cherokee Red brick, built-in furniture, and natural light.
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A stunning homage to the forest town of Yoshino, Japan, the Cedar House was built in partnership with Airbnb to help the local community sustain itself as migration to larger cities damaged its economy. The home’s location on the river and views of the mountains allows guests to appreciate the surrounding natural beauty, while the interiors, built entirely of wood from local cypress and cedar, create a truly unique space. Its two bedrooms—one facing east, one west—are perfectly oriented for viewing the sunrise and sunset from the triangular rooms that reference the traditional home design of the region.
