Where is the world's last remaining Blockbuster store located?
Would you stay here?
10 unbelievable bed-and-breakfasts in the strangest spots –that people loved
America hides some extraordinary places to rest your head. What’s the strangest, most unusual spot you can imagine spending the night in? Someone has probably already opened a bed-and-breakfast there. As much as we might love traditional hotels, you can find some pretty comfortable spots in the strangest of places—like an old-timey wagon or the country’s last remaining Blockbuster. Let’s talk about them!
Image: Shamblen Studios
The Last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon
The last Blockbuster video-rental store in the world stands in Bend, Oregon—did you know? And for a limited time, at the end of 2020, it allowed guests to spend the night there, explore their vast collection, and host a movie marathon.
Sadly, the venue doesn’t operate as a bed-and-breakfast currently. But it gladly welcomes guests, and who knows? The family-owned store might be open to hosting more unforgettable stays in the future.
Image: Delaney Van
Hobbit House in Orondo, Washington
Whether you are a Tolkien fan or not, surely you’ve wondered what it would be like to curl up on a comfy couch inside a Hobbit House! These underground cottages with round doors and grass roofs feel straight out of Middle-earth.
One of the fans' favorites is The Hobbit House in Orondo, Washington. You might easily miss it, carved into a hill overlooking the Columbia River Gorge—a cozy, off-the-grid spot that transports guests to another world.
Image: Joshua Harris
Treehouse Point in Issaquah, Washington
Childhood dreams come alive in these handcrafted treehouses nestled among Pacific Northwest evergreens. Some feature rope bridges between platforms, while others boast skylights for stargazing from bed.
The creator, inspired by childhood forts, designed these as peaceful escapes where you can sleep high up, surrounded by green canopies. Not far away are the thunderous Snoqualmie Falls and the endless Cascade Mountain trails.
Image: Ashley Endemano
Fire lookout towers in National Forests
In today’s world, you can’t blame solitude seekers. Some people crave a digital detox, so they head to lookout fire cabins like Oak Flat Lookout, over the Kern River in California.
Once vital for spotting wildfires, many of these cabins were nearly demolished before preservationists intervened. Sure, the lack of amenities is part of the charm, but epic sunrises are the reward.
Image: Jamie Pilgrim
Newport's Jailhouse Inn
Why not turn a historic jail into a hotel? Newport’s Jailhouse, built in 1772, is a beautiful federal-style building located near the city center of Newport, Rhode Island.
Now, it’s been reconditioned to become an inn: You can spend the night behind bars—with luxury linens—in its creatively converted cells, where original cell doors now frame plush beds.
Image: Syarafina Yusof
Covered Wagon Glamping in Westgate River Ranch, Florida
Imagine spending a few nights inside an Oregon Trail wagon—except you’d be in Florida, armed with the comforts of a king bed and air conditioning. These tricked-out wagons are the main attraction at Florida's Westgate River Ranch, pioneers in blending Old West nostalgia with today’s glamping movement.
Image: James Lee
Converted Grain Silos in Green Ridge, Missouri
If you were to open a door to the inside of the silos at Prairie Vale in Green Ridge, Missouri, you would walk into perfectly functional (though unusually cylindrical) guest rooms.
These grain silos, situated on a former dairy farm, have been repurposed and transformed into comfortable living spaces. The property spans 14 acres and is home to various animals that guests can visit and feed.
Image: Meredith Petrick
Michigan's Big Bay Point
A lighthouse bed-and-breakfast near the cliffs of Lake Superior? You can sleep where keepers once stood watch in coastal lighthouses like Michigan's Big Bay Point, where spiral stairs lead to lantern rooms with sweeping views.
They want you to fully enjoy your stay surrounded by nature, so there are no phones or TVs inside the guest rooms.
Image: Vladyslav Dukhin
"Up" house in Abiquiu, New Mexico
All those who watched Disney-Pixar's 2009 animated film Up will no doubt remember the image of the house being lifted into the air by hundreds of colorful balloons. That’s not exactly what’s happening at the Abiquiu house, but it’s similar.
This venue, which was available as a unique Airbnb experience temporarily, mirrored the film's architecture and interior decor in stunning detail, and yes, it was adorned with over 8,000 balloons. But it was a crane that lifted the house off the ground to create the effect.
Image: Ankush Minda
Retro-Americana: the sleep-in Red Caboose in Ronks
Retro road trip vibes shine at spots like the Red Caboose Motel, located in the community of Ronks, Pennsylvania. It offers a line of colorful train cars as suites. Comfortable bedrooms, dining, and storage areas were built inside recycled train cars, becoming a main attraction in the area.
Image: Rachel Claire
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