British Columbia is home to some of the most unique accommodations in the world. Paired with fun and immersive experiences like farm stays, historic ghost towns and world-class wineries, a trip through BC is a bucket list vacation for both tourists and locals.
Here are the coolest, most unique and magical places to stay in BC.
Whether you’re on a family road trip, a romantic getaway or just need to escape for the weekend with your dog, one of these Airbnbs, boutique hotels, historic homes and quirky hidden gems is sure to catch your eye.
And don’t worry – we’ve read through every single review on each of these listings to ensure we’ve only included the best out there. No need to worry about renting something dodgy.
If you do, however, want to guarantee the perfect vacation rental, read my guide with 12 tips and tricks.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase I may make a small commission. I only share information about things I know, love and trust!
Converted Vintage Trailer
Location: Just outside of Salmon Arm (Shuswap)
Quite possibly the most interesting and magical place to stay in BC.
This is a 1953 travel trailer that has been uniquely encased in a covered patio for 1200 square feet of living space.
This vacation rental is off-grid, solar powered and includes a scenic outdoor shower. You’ll love your secluded paradise, being surrounded by what feels like a fairy garden.
Perfect for families or a romantic retreat. It’s also dog friendly.
Nearby attractions:
- Shuswap lakes for beaches and boating
- Several wineries
- Enderby Cliffs (hiking)
- Retro drive-in movie theatre
Check prices & availability here.
Pocket Home
Location: Lemon Creek, near Slocan
Try out tiny home living! This is a brand new tiny home with ultra modern touches, located in British Columbia’s newest tiny home community – Big Calm.
Your 215 square feet of living space feels much larger from the massive windows providing hours of natural sunlight.
Explore the trails throughout the 30 acres of property, or enjoy coffee or happy hour on the patio or by the campfire. Be one of the first to experience this brand new concept.
Check prices and availability here.
Pangea Pod Hotel
Location: Whistler
If you thought pod hotels were only found in Japan, think again!
Located in the heart of downtown Whistler, you won’t find a cheaper place to stay. But cheap doesn’t mean bad – this capsule hotel is super cool.
The pods are modern, clean and cozy. And the best part is that they offer both 2-person and single pods – perfect for any type of traveler.
There’s also an onsite restaurant and lounge, as well as many coffee shops within a couple minutes.
If you’re visiting Whistler on a budget, these unique pod accommodations are exactly what you’re looking for.
View prices and availability here
Beehive Cedar Cabins
Location: Tofino
The Ocean Village in Tofino exudes everything cool about this surf town.
Offering the perfect west coast vibe, these cabins were originally built in the 70s, but have since been renovated with all the modern amenities.
Just steps from your cabin’s front door is Mackenzie Beach – one of the best in Tofino.
With a full kitchen, pool and hot tub, and being pet friendly, these cabins are the perfect place for a family getaway.
Try to book as early as possible. With stellar reviews, these cabins get booked up fast.
View listing on Booking.com here
Hobbit House
Location: 30 minutes east of Osoyoos
Truly the most magical place to stay in BC. Lord of the Rings fans can get a taste of middle earth at the appropriately named Second Breakfast Hideaway.
This is as close to the Hobbiton movie set as you can get without going to New Zealand. No detail has been spared to fully immerse guests into this enchanted hobbit hole.
Surrounded by lakes, mountains, golf courses and only 30 minutes to Oliver (the wine capital of BC), you’ve got enough to see and do for weeks!
P.S. Not sure what to do in the area?
Read more: Kelowna to Osoyoos: The Ultimate Okanagan Road Trip
Charming Peachland Suite
Location: Peachland
Overlooked by visitors to BC’s Okanagan Valley is the quaint town of Peachland.
It’s a small lakeside community perfectly halfway between Kelowna and Penticton, making it the perfect retreat for a wine country getaway.
This suite is beautifully decorated with antiques, includes your own private patio and a hearty homemade breakfast each morning.
Attractions nearby:
- Minutes to dozens of wineries
- Okanagan Lake
- Hiking and waterfalls
- Rattlesnake Island
Read more: 19 Things to Do in the Okanagan (+ Hidden Gems and Unique Ideas)
Yogi’s Yurt Experience
Location: North Okanagan
Yurt camping or glamping is all the rage right now – and you won’t find a yurt stay in BC more picturesque than this one built among a canopy of cedar trees.
Located just outside of Enderby, it’s exactly halfway between Calgary and Vancouver.
Enjoy coffee on your riverfront deck while you plan a day of adventures – choose from river floats, fishing, hiking, cycling, golf courses (7 within 30 minutes), wine tastings and more.
Family Farm Stay
Location: Brew Bay, close to Powell River
Come here with the family and spend a few days on a real farm!
Collect farm fresh eggs each morning, watch the goats being milked and learn about how cheese is made, go berry picking and visit the secret beach nearby.
Hot breakfast is included with your stay – pancakes, eggs, bacon, porridge, crepes, fresh cheese and more!
Floating Bed & Breakfast (and dinner)
Location: Ucluelet inlet
Welcome aboard The InnChanter – a heritage vessel built in the early 1900s and is now a floating lodge off the coast of Vancouver Island.
On board you’ll enjoy breakfast and dinner, float along the west coast, soak up rays on the sun deck, watch wildlife (bears, seals, wolves)and have a drink in the saloon.
Your stay also includes the use of kayaks, SUPs, fishing gear and rowboats. With only 5 rooms on board, this is one of the most intimate and unique places to stay in British Columbia.
To get here, it’s a 35 minute drive from Tofino, or 3 hours from Nanaimo.
Attractions nearby:
- Hike along the Pacific Rim National Park trails
- Whale watching
- Salmon fishing
- Hot springs
- Surfing
View pricing and availability here
Read more reviews on Tripadvisor
Holten Heritage House
Location: Revelstoke
Some say this 100 year old Victorian-style home is haunted, but the mystery just adds to the historic appeal of this charmer.
You’re in for an amazing slumber in the king-sized canopy bed, complete with a chef-prepared breakfast the next morning. You’ll experience hospitality at its finest here.
Take a break from the boring chain hotels and opt for an intimately unique stay in the heart of Revelstoke.
Walk to downtown, enjoy the local cafes, several craft breweries and free outdoor events.
In the winter, you’re less than 10 minutes from Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
Read more: What to do in Revelstoke (19 Ideas For All Seasons)
Airstream Among the Gardens
Location: Elk Lake, between Victoria and Sidney
Not only is this airstream trailer sleek, modern and funky, it’s a much cheaper alternative to getting a hotel.
A full kitchen and a BBQ on your private deck and garden patio await you for a wonderful stay near Victoria, BC.
Enjoy peaceful views of Elk Lake across from you, under the fairy lights.
Not only is this rental impeccably clean, it’s got perfect 5 star reviews – just see for yourself.
Nearby attractions:
- Malahat SkyWalk
- Victoria Butterfly Gardens
- Wineries and Vineyards
Stormtroopers Cabin
Location: Revelstoke
This 4-season modern loft-style cabin is the perfect hub for an adventurous trip to Revelstoke.
It’s 5 minutes away from Revelstoke Mountain Resort – home to champagne powder for skiing and snowboarding.
Or in the summer, visit this gondola here for hiking and views, and then ride the mountain pipe coaster down the mountain!
Did I mention the private hot tub you can soak in after a day of exploring?
Read more: 7 Waterfalls Near Revelstoke For Every Age and Ability to Explore
West Coast Yurt
Location: Sooke, Vancouver Island
The perfect west coast getaway is found just outside of Sooke in a cozy yurt.
Use this as your base camp for hiking the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, exploring nearby beaches, breweries/distilleries and best of all – no traffic noise!
Don’t miss the Shirley Delicious Cafe!
Former Park Ranger Cabin
Location: Skookumchuk, east Kootenays
This former national park warden cabin has been moved onto a serene rural property and is now a unique log cabin you can rent in the Kootenay region of BC.
This is the perfect place for a disconnected weekend or getaway. The cabin remains pretty much the same as its been since the 1900s when it was built.
The kitchen inside a renovated school bus is yours to use, and the outdoor shower is a fun experience.
If you’re on a budget and looking for a unique place for a couple of nights, this is a winner.
It’s also a great hub to visit the Lussier natural hot springs and many other hidden gems in the Canadian Rockies off the beaten path.
Read more: 3 Natural Hot Springs in BC That You Can Visit in One Road Trip
Haunted Hippie Cabin
Location: Nelson
Nelson is one of the most interesting places to visit in BC, and this haunted cabin is no exception. If you want to round out the full flower child experience in Nelson, this tiny cabin fits the bill.
Read more about Nelson here: Hippies, Hikes and Hot Springs: 17 Things to Do in Nelson, BC
Eclectic Nelson Suite with Hot Tub
Location: Nelson
Enjoy your own self-contained suite, complete with a private backyard patio area, BBQ and private hot tub.
The décor and the plants are funky – perfectly complementary to a unique Nelson trip.
Start your day at a local coffee shop, go hiking or hit the beach, and finish off with a couple craft brewery visits before retreating to your hot tub to cap off the evening.
View prices for this cozy suite here.
Ghost Town Getaway
Location: Zincton (Kootenays)
Go on an off grid adventure and stay in a solar powered hut.
Complete seclusion for day hikes, mountain biking and ATV riding and only 20 minutes away from British Columbia’s most fascinating ghost town – Sandon.
For two people, it’s only $60 per night.
Betty Lou’s Library
Location: Cranbrook
This heritage home has been tastefully staged to resemble a Victorian-era library and reading nook, perfect for a girls getaway or an artist’s refuge. If you love all things pink and vintage, you’re going to want to book your stay.
Crooked Tree Guest Suite
Location: Penticton/Naramata
Move over Napa Valley and Tuscany, this is a vineyard vacation for the bucket list.
Perched above the dozens of wineries along the Naramata Bench, this is the perfect place to stay in BC for a wine vacation.
Enjoy stunning Okanagan Lake views from your 3 balconies or 1200 square feet of living space.
This suite is also pet friendly, and large enough for a group of 6.
By staying here, you can visit over 100 wineries in the region.
Or start with the 7 best Naramata wineries for the ultimate wine tasting trip.
Check prices and availability here
Lavender Farm Cottage
Location: Naramata
In the middle of a lavender farm and fruit orchard, the setting of this cozy cottage is one of the most beautiful places to stay in BC.
Wake up each morning to the smells of ripening peaches with touches of lavender in the air. Enjoy the full kitchen (including BBQ), a large patio for Okanagan Lake views, strolls into town for coffee shops, wine tastings, lake swimming and endless sunsets.
Nearby attractions:
- Dozens of wineries
- KVR Trail for biking/hiking
- Three Mile Beach
- Naramata Falls
Modern, Off-Grid Cabin
Location; Just outside of Penticton
This cabin built entirely of reclaimed material sits on the cliffs of the Okanagan Valley. You’ll have floor to ceiling panoramic views out your bedroom window, overlooking Penticton in the distance.
Other amenities include a steam room, spa-style bathroom, hammocks and a fire pit area.
Spend your day visiting the nearby wineries, and make it back in time to enjoy a stunning sunset with your new favorite bottle of Semillon (or any other fantastic white wine from this region).
Blaylock Mansion
Location: Nelson
One of the most unique and romantic properties in BC, Blaylock Mansion was built in the early 1900s as a private retirement estate. This historic manor is now a boutique bed and breakfast which sits among 13 acres of manicured gardens that could rival those of Versailles.
If you’re in search of somewhere to spend a romantic weekend in BC, Blaylock Mansion fits the bill.
Read reviews on Tripadvisor here.
A Volkswagen Bus in the Woods
Location: Golden
Here’s your chance to try out living the hippy van life. Or recreate Woodstock vibes in the heart of the east Kootenays.
If you’re on a road trip through British Columbia, or maybe driving from Vancouver to Calgary, this is a unique spot to rest for the night.
It’s one step above tent camping, but you’ve got access to a bathroom with full running water. Dogs are welcome!
Nearby attractions:
- Canada’s highest suspension bridge
- Quaint downtown Golden
- Whitewater rafting on the kicking horse river
- Endless hiking trails
Read About More Things to Do in BC:
7 Naramata Winery Accommodations (for Unique Vineyard Stays)
23 Best Wineries in the Okanagan to Get Your Sip On
Visiting the Most Whimsical Place in Canada: The Enchanted Forest in BC
Discover Radium Hot Springs: My Favorite Canadian Hidden Gem
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