15 Modern Summer Rentals

Plan your summer getaways with our picks for Airbnb rentals with great design. Warning: You may want to stay indoors during your vacation.

Text by

Patrick Sisson

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At its best, Airbnb offers more than just an affordable place to stay that's part of a network of rental properties in 192 countries and more than 34,000 cities: It promises a way to escape and gain new perspectives when traveling. Dwell also discovered there are plenty of spots on site that provide exceptional examples of modern design and architecture, with personal touches that go well beyond a nice welcome basket (in-unit halfpipe, anyone?). Some of our favorites include a cabin within a loft in Williamsburg, an architect-designed beach home in Australia, a retro-future capsule hotel in Tokyo, and an off-the-grid dwelling in the California desert, perfect for any nature lovers (or NSA whistleblowers).

Walden Amidst the Thai Treetops (Bangkok, Thailand)A team of Thai architects and designers took Thoreau’s natural guidebook as gospel when creating this eco-friendly tree house, which sits on stilts made from reclaimed wood and bamboo. The listing’s own storytelling—imagine sitting on the daybed with a glass of wine and that special someone, listening to the wind wind through the coconut trees and wind turbine—sounds like Harlequin crossed with Mother Jones, but, cliches and eco-consciousness aside, it sounds very inviting.Listing at Breathtaking Chao Praya River View — Walden Amidst the Thai Treetops (Bangkok, Thailand)

A team of Thai architects and designers took Thoreau’s natural guidebook as gospel when creating this eco-friendly tree house, which sits on stilts made from reclaimed wood and bamboo. The listing’s own storytelling—imagine sitting on the daybed with a glass of wine and that special someone, listening to the wind wind through the coconut trees and wind turbine—sounds like Harlequin crossed with Mother Jones, but, cliches and eco-consciousness aside, it sounds very inviting.

Listing at Breathtaking Chao Praya River View

Click through our slideshow to see some of our favorite picks on Airbnb, and perhaps plot your own summer trip. (And see more of our Airbnb favorites here!)

Modern Loft with Designer Halfpipe (Los Angeles, USA)While the colorful, green-and-pink accents in this mid-century styled loft demand attention, it’s hard for any furniture to overshadow the working half-pipe in the center of the 1,500-square-foot loft in Boyle Heights. While the outdoor patio and BBQ, accessible by a large roll-up door, strongly suggests grilling and evenings drinks al fresco, you may want to bring your deck just in case.Listing at LA - Large Creative Skate Loft! — Modern Loft with Designer Halfpipe (Los Angeles, USA)

While the colorful, green-and-pink accents in this mid-century styled loft demand attention, it’s hard for any furniture to overshadow the working half-pipe in the center of the 1,500-square-foot loft in Boyle Heights. While the outdoor patio and BBQ, accessible by a large roll-up door, strongly suggests grilling and evenings drinks al fresco, you may want to bring your deck just in case.

Listing at LA - Large Creative Skate Loft!

Indoor Bushwick Campsite (Brooklyn)Artists Terry Chiao and Adam Frezza found a creative solution to taking on roommates to make rent in New York; build a free-standing cabin in their factory-turned-studio loft and rent it out to visitors. The buzzed-about rental has its own Tumblr and an array of press clippings. The relaxed atmosphere and sunny, airy interior may be all the recommendations a traveler needs.Listing at A Cabin in a Loft in Brooklyn. — Indoor Bushwick Campsite (Brooklyn)

Artists Terry Chiao and Adam Frezza found a creative solution to taking on roommates to make rent in New York; build a free-standing cabin in their factory-turned-studio loft and rent it out to visitors. The buzzed-about rental has its own Tumblr and an array of press clippings. The relaxed atmosphere and sunny, airy interior may be all the recommendations a traveler needs.

Listing at A Cabin in a Loft in Brooklyn.

Multi-Hued Beach Escape Near Sydney (North Avoca, Australia)While this resort town rental is lit up with blocks of solid colors on the striking side of the Pantone scale, visitors will likely fixate on the shades of blue visible via the panoramic Pacific view. This coastal spot about 60 miles from Sydney also boasts a geometric roof and deck, further accentuating the ocean and sky awaiting outside. Listing at "Life is good...at the beach!" — Multi-Hued Beach Escape Near Sydney (North Avoca, Australia)

While this resort town rental is lit up with blocks of solid colors on the striking side of the Pantone scale, visitors will likely fixate on the shades of blue visible via the panoramic Pacific view. This coastal spot about 60 miles from Sydney also boasts a geometric roof and deck, further accentuating the ocean and sky awaiting outside.

Listing at "Life is good...at the beach!"

Former Factory Fuses Japanese and Scandinavian Cool (Tokyo, Japan)The colorful results of a designer’s project to renovate a tableware factory, this multi-floored loft includes a kitchen/showroom that should be center stage for it simple but striking use of patterned fabric. Even better, the view from the street-level glass window—anybody strolling through Ginza can see that you did pick the coolest spot to stay in Tokyo.Listing at Specious Apartment in Ginza — Former Factory Fuses Japanese and Scandinavian Cool (Tokyo, Japan)

The colorful results of a designer’s project to renovate a tableware factory, this multi-floored loft includes a kitchen/showroom that should be center stage for it simple but striking use of patterned fabric. Even better, the view from the street-level glass window—anybody strolling through Ginza can see that you did pick the coolest spot to stay in Tokyo.

Listing at Specious Apartment in Ginza

Townhouse in the Sky (London, England) That’s how Tom Dixon described this "exercise in design," a retrofitted water tower he purchased in 2005 and redesigned, which is now available to rent. It’s a hike up six flights of stairs, but those who book and make the trek can take in panoramic views from North Kensington.Listing at Amazing round room in the sky — Townhouse in the Sky (London, England)

That’s how Tom Dixon described this "exercise in design," a retrofitted water tower he purchased in 2005 and redesigned, which is now available to rent. It’s a hike up six flights of stairs, but those who book and make the trek can take in panoramic views from North Kensington.

Listing at Amazing round room in the sky

Converted Gas Station (New Orleans, USA)For those journeying to the Crescent City, this may be the perfect place to refuel. The 2,000-square-foot station turned open loft space in Bayou St. John has been retrofitted with gas station-chic furnishings (sconces made out of headlights, drawer pulls created from hood ornaments) and boasts a hot tub and a rooftop deck. It’s self service, but it’s unlikely many guests will complain.Listing at Gas Station Modern Renovation Look — Converted Gas Station (New Orleans, USA)

For those journeying to the Crescent City, this may be the perfect place to refuel. The 2,000-square-foot station turned open loft space in Bayou St. John has been retrofitted with gas station-chic furnishings (sconces made out of headlights, drawer pulls created from hood ornaments) and boasts a hot tub and a rooftop deck. It’s self service, but it’s unlikely many guests will complain.

Listing at Gas Station Modern Renovation Look

Fifth Element Micro-Apartment in Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan)The units inside the Nakagin Capsule Tower, designed by Kisho Kurokawa in 1972, are relics of a future imagined but not achieved, white plastic spaces with a bank of appliances, a minimum of comfort and a vision of small-scale living measuring roughly 7.5 x 12 x 7 feet. There’s no extra charge to share the historic space with someone, though that may be more of a challenge than you expect. Listing at Historical Nakagin Capsule Tower — Fifth Element Micro-Apartment in Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan)The units inside the Nakagin Capsule Tower, designed by Kisho Kurokawa in 1972, are relics of a future imagined but not achieved, white plastic spaces with a bank of appliances, a minimum of comfort and a vision of small-scale living measuring roughly 7.5 x 12 x 7 feet. There’s no extra charge to share the historic space with someone, though that may be more of a challenge than you expect.

Listing at Historical Nakagin Capsule Tower

Off-The-Grid Desert Escape (Pioneertown, USA)Dwell profiled this counterintuitive desert concept near Joshua Tree, an uncoupled, environmentally friendly escape with glass walls and cross-ventilation instead of air conditioning and shade. Wrapped in glass, the waystation is more a watchtower for the desert scenery. Just imagine the stars at night as you huddle around the indoor fireplace. Named the "iT House" as a reference to the "It Girl," not any IT (there’s no wifi here), it’s an ideal space to disappear amidst the thermals and 100-plus temperatures.Listing at Off-grid itHouse — Off-The-Grid Desert Escape (Pioneertown, USA)

Dwell profiled this counterintuitive desert concept near Joshua Tree, an uncoupled, environmentally friendly escape with glass walls and cross-ventilation instead of air conditioning and shade. Wrapped in glass, the waystation is more a watchtower for the desert scenery. Just imagine the stars at night as you huddle around the indoor fireplace. Named the "iT House" as a reference to the "It Girl," not any IT (there’s no wifi here), it’s an ideal space to disappear amidst the thermals and 100-plus temperatures.

Listing at Off-grid itHouse

A Treeline Terrace Channelling Philip Johnson (Atlanta, Georgia)The brainchild of a local architect and designer who financed the construction themselves, the Berne Street Treehouse, located on Atlanta’s BeltLine system of parks and trails, provides a literal bird’s-eye-view of the forests surrounding downtown. The upper room (pictured), bathed in sunshine from the skylight, opens to a series out outdoor terraces.Listing at Both Floors Modern Glass Tree House — A Treeline Terrace Channelling Philip Johnson (Atlanta, Georgia)

The brainchild of a local architect and designer who financed the construction themselves, the Berne Street Treehouse, located on Atlanta’s BeltLine system of parks and trails, provides a literal bird’s-eye-view of the forests surrounding downtown. The upper room (pictured), bathed in sunshine from the skylight, opens to a series out outdoor terraces.

Listing at Both Floors Modern Glass Tree House

Sleek Architect’s Home (Sydney, Australia)Providing a modern update to the predominantly Victorian style of surrounding suburban homes in Paddington, this urban home is bathed in natural light during the day and offers the respite of a Japanese garden on property.Listing at Architect's Own Central Sydney Home — Sleek Architect’s Home (Sydney, Australia)

Providing a modern update to the predominantly Victorian style of surrounding suburban homes in Paddington, this urban home is bathed in natural light during the day and offers the respite of a Japanese garden on property.Listing at Architect's Own Central Sydney Home

South American Beach Escape (Governador Celso Ramos, Brazil)Vacation-worthy beaches are as numerous as one-name soccer stars in Brazil, but this exceptional oceanfront rental offers something a bit different. Sure, the swaying hips of Ipanema aren’t in sight. Instead, you and up to seven other friends can enjoy one of a handful of private beaches, drink on the terrace, perhaps grill fish you caught in the property’s fishing boat or oysters you’ve lifted from neighboring rocks. After a few days stay, the house won’t be the only thing integrated with nature.p>Listing at Exceptional property private beach — South American Beach Escape (Governador Celso Ramos, Brazil)

Vacation-worthy beaches are as numerous as one-name soccer stars in Brazil, but this exceptional oceanfront rental offers something a bit different. Sure, the swaying hips of Ipanema aren’t in sight. Instead, you and up to seven other friends can enjoy one of a handful of private beaches, drink on the terrace, perhaps grill fish you caught in the property’s fishing boat or oysters you’ve lifted from neighboring rocks. After a few days stay, the house won’t be the only thing integrated with nature.

p>Listing at Exceptional property private beach

Designer Oasis in Kuala Lampur (Kuala Lampur, Malaysia) One of a series of retreats designed by Malaysian architect Ng Sek San, this two-bedroom space is as ethereal and spacious as the mosquito netting hanging from above the beds. San’s design creates myriad environments within the space from the reserved garden to the multi-textured living space and calming bedrooms. Listing at Family Guesthouse for 8 in KL City — Designer Oasis in Kuala Lampur (Kuala Lampur, Malaysia)

One of a series of retreats designed by Malaysian architect Ng Sek San, this two-bedroom space is as ethereal and spacious as the mosquito netting hanging from above the beds. San’s design creates myriad environments within the space from the reserved garden to the multi-textured living space and calming bedrooms.

Listing at Family Guesthouse for 8 in KL City

Spanish Rooftop Ready for Its Closeup (Barcelona, Spain)While the owner claims this designer apartment is where Bond would stay in El Born, the rustic rooftop could even drag M out of M16 headquarters for a Spanish holiday. Panoramic views of the Catalan playground contrast nicely with the sleek, slate-colored interior, which, based on the incredible perspective, probably isn’t where you’ll be spending most of your trip. Listing at Petit Lego Barcelona WiFi 007 — Spanish Rooftop Ready for Its Closeup (Barcelona, Spain)

While the owner claims this designer apartment is where Bond would stay in El Born, the rustic rooftop could even drag M out of M16 headquarters for a Spanish holiday. Panoramic views of the Catalan playground contrast nicely with the sleek, slate-colored interior, which, based on the incredible perspective, probably isn’t where you’ll be spending most of your trip.

Listing at Petit Lego Barcelona WiFi 007

Balearic Beauty in Boxes (Palma de Mallorca, Spain)Situated in a more relaxed part of Spain, this converted container hotel offers a condensed rooftop escape, a quiet private pool and crisp, unobtrusive design. The flat includes a pair of cycles to simplify your stay.Listing at Container home, a unique house! — Balearic Beauty in Boxes (Palma de Mallorca, Spain)

Situated in a more relaxed part of Spain, this converted container hotel offers a condensed rooftop escape, a quiet private pool and crisp, unobtrusive design. The flat includes a pair of cycles to simplify your stay.

Listing at Container home, a unique house!

Patrick Sisson

During the course of his career writing about music and design, Patrick Sisson has made Stefan Sagmeister late for a date and was scolded by Gil Scott-Heron for asking too many questions.

Published

May 26, 2014

Last Updated

October 27, 2017

Topics

Travel

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