When it comes to leisure staycations, accommodations are the most important factor to consider. Camping and glamping have become more popular among families looking to spend time outdoors after months of being cooped up during the pandemic era.
In fact, there’s been an increase in demand for unique sleeping quarters like treehouses, camper vans, farm stays, and more catering to leisure travelers who want to experience something new. Data from Airbnb shows that searches for unique homes has exploded in the past three years, creating potential earning opportunities for hosts.
“This fascination with unique stays is universal, with 55 percent of the 100 most wishlisted homes in the last year falling into unique categories,” reports Airbnb.
Here are just a few of the unique Airbnb properties around the Philippines where I’ve recently stayed or am hoping to stay in this 2023.
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Earth dome and treehouse by the lake in Batangas
Kapusod is a lakeside retreat in Batangas with several unique rooms including a cozy Earth Dome and Treehouse. The hobbit-like clay room is adorned with soil paintings of endemic species from around the Philippines like the Philippine Spotted Deer, Phil. Eagle, Kalaw, and Pawikan. Right outside the dome is a natural (non-chlorinated) water garden pool where you can cool down at night.
They also have a Treehouse Cottage right beside the lake for those who have want to experience the simple life.
Kapusod also has a rustic Karakoa Cottage made of sustainable materials, that’s ideal for families and larger groups, as well as several Garden Cottages. The whole property practices zero-waste techniques and is partially solar-powered, making it a great weekend destination for nature lovers. They also run a restaurant that serves local specialties for those who just want to drop by for a meal with a view.
Overnight stays at the Kapusod Earth Dome start at P1,200/night while stays at The Treehouse cost P1,800/night.
Private island in Laguna
Don’t worry, there are no titans in Paradis Island. You can book an eco-friendly and unspoiled private island with either one, or two lake villas. Each villa is rustic furnished and has fully set-up glamping tents.
Located at Cavinti, Laguna, Paradis Island can be found near Lake Lumot at the Sierra Madre mountain top, approximately a 3 hours’ drive from Manila.
Overnight stays at Paradis Island start at P5,700/night.
Jeepney Camper / RV in Rizal
For anyone who wants to experience living the van life minus the long-term commitment, this unique Jeepney Camper in Tanay, Rizal offers a serene escape. The jeep has been repainted in shades of teal and white and retrofitted with a native bamboo hut addition on the roof.
Inside, the jeepney has been outfitted with everything needed to transport you to dreamland – including air-conditioning, a queen-size and double mattress with clean bed sheets, pillows and blankets, hot water, and other glamping-style amenities.
Overnight stays at the Jeepney Camper – Glamping in Tanay, Rizal start at P5,000/night.
Glass treehouse in Baguio
Tudor in the Pines is an estate with seven unique residences within a gated property, accommodating a maximum of 30 guests. Their most famous room here is the Twin Glass Treehouse, which offers amazing views of the surrounding lush green pine forest.
Guests can also pick other unique lodgings including an English-inspired Tudor House, Royal Cottage, Garden Terrace, Forest Terrace, Pine Cone Treehouse and Pine Needle Treehouse.
Overnight stays at the Twin Glass Treehouse at Tudor in the Pines start at P11,000/night.
Ifugao-style hut by a brewpub in Sagada
Last December 2022, we traveled to Sagada and I was happy to see that the Ifugao-style hut located in the premises of microbrewery Cerveza Sagada / Sagada Cellar Door has reopened to the public.
The Hut is a 130-year old Banaue native house from the neighboring Ifugao tribe located in Sagada Cellar Door. If you want easy access to craft beer, you’re in luck, because you can find the bar and bonfire area right in front of the hut. The brew pub accepts other guests for wine, beer and dinner from 5 to 10 PM, but you’ll have the place pretty much to yourselves in the morning.
Overnight stays at The Hut by The Brewpub start at P1,800/night.
Vintage airstream in Batangas
One of the coolest Airbnbs I frequently see on Instagram is this vintage airstream in Batangas. Camper and Cabin is said to be the first Airstream accommodation in the Philippines. The sleek silver caravan is parked in a hilly location with a stunning view, giving tourists a taste of the outdoors and camping while still having a luxury hotel experience. The experience doesn’t come that cheap, but this could be a good option for special occasions or photoshoots. Overnight stays at Camper and Cabin start at P12,500/night.
Factors to consider when turning your property into an Airbnb
On a personal note, we recently acquired some land in my hometown and have been considering what to do with it in the future. While it’s just an empty lot right now in a village at the foothills of a mountain, investing in real estate seems like a good idea since land value appreciates. Who knows. We could decide to retire in the province, open up a bike cafe, or build an actual farm-style Airbnb someday. I’ve been reading up on what it takes to operate and run rental properties and there are a lot of pros and cons.
While making passive income from running rental properties sounds like a great idea in principle, you have to make sure it’s the best option for you. Here are some factors to consider when turning your property into an Airbnb.
- Are you ready to start a business? Becoming an Airbnb host is very similar to being an entrepreneur. You have to put in the effort, time, and money to make your property profitable.
- Is there a demand in your location? Location is key when it comes to Airbnb properties. According to Airbnb, demand is strong in popular tourist destinations in the Philippines, including Manila, Baguio, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, and Tagaytay.
- Do you have a unique selling point? If your property is not in a key location, you’ll need to have a really unique selling point or great design to stand out in a sea of property rentals. Think about the type of experience guests want and capitalize on the activities they can do nearby. Unique views, add-ons (fast and reliable WiFi, free bike rentals, complimentary snacks or coffee, basic cooking supplies, etc.) and IG-worthy photo spots will help attract guests aside from just the property details. Secure parking, and having remote work-friendly, and pet-friendly spaces are also factors guests look for.
- Is converting your property into an Airbnb worth the investment? Before you start on full-blown renovations, it’s best to calculate how much you could potentially earn from your property to assess if it’s worth the initial investment. A simple way to calculate your Airbnb revenue is by multiplying the year-round occupancy rate and your average daily rate. Here’s a simple Airbnb calculator where you can instantly see your estimated Airbnb annual revenue based on your address.
- Do you have the time to be an Airbnb host? Being an Airbnb host is very time consuming. It’s not just about setting up and decorating your property. You will need to be hands-on with managing listings and bookings, preparing rooms for guest arrivals, and handling maintenance and cleaning, which can take up a lot of your time. As a host, you will need to be available 24/7 to your guests for any inquiries or emergencies. You could leave everything to a caretaker, but that would entail additional costs.