Make like royalty with a stay at this 100-year-old New England castle. Guests have three themed bedrooms to choose from (pick from the jungle room, Romeo-Juliet room and a sumptuous burgundy affair with balcony), and there’s even a roll top bath. A knight in shining armour guards the interior porch (yes, really).

Sleep inside your very own seashell, a stone’s throw from Mexico’s Caribbean coastline. It isn’t just The Seashell House's whitewashed exterior that mimics a shell. Inside, you’ll find shell-encrusted mirrors, sinks and bathrooms – the shower water even sprinkles out from a shell. Outside, there’s a private pool or you can hop into a golf buggy for a 15-minute drive to the beach.

With parquet floors, vast sash windows and walls dotted with an eclectic mix of modern art and portraits, this Edinburgh studio packs a stylish punch. At this arty loft, the icing on the cake is the secret king-size bed, which is cleverly boxed in behind a wooden shelving unit and accessed via a panelled door. Read our complete guide to Edinburgh here.

This tented igloo, perched on a wooden platform, offers glamping Spanish-style in the very south of the region. You’ll find an alfresco shower with stunning views across the valley below, a comfy bed and plenty of space for lazing in the sun. From The Dome, it’s a short walk to the guesthouse where you can grill seafood in the communal cooking area, before settling down for a siesta on a hammock.  

This secluded, bamboo home is set on the bank of a shimmering river in a peaceful Balinese village. It may be rustic but you’ll find a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom which sleeps up to four. Relax on the hammock or bean bag and listen to the sound of the water below, or play the ukulele and drum provided. There’s limited wi-fi here but who needs the internet when you have cute kittens to play with? They often use the Hideout as a shelter. 

With its myriad windows and vibrant mosaic tiles, stepping into this rooftop apartment is like walking inside a piece of art. You’ll find a bathroom, bedroom, fully equipped kitchen and an expansive terrace, where you can sip Italian coffee and admire the views. Best of all, you're just a 20-minute bus ride from Rome city centre. Explore what there is to do in Rome here.

Named after the vast dragon sculpture guarding the chimney, this oak-framed house has featured in numerous magazines and TV shows. The eclectic interior includes a winding staircase, wrapping its way around the trunk of an elm tree, and sumptuous rooms decorated deep, rich shades. Two bedrooms are available to guests, both with en suites. 

This cosy cottage's undulating roof, wooden balcony and curved windows could come straight from a fairy tale. The property itself is hand-sculpted from natural materials and surrounded by orchards with grazing sheep. Inside, it’s every bit as charming as you’d imagine with stone floors, a wood-burning stove and charming wood-clad bedroom. 

It’s worth the climb for a stay at this magical treehouse, nestled in a teak forest in Northern Thailand. Come nightfall, relax on the swing seat and watch out for glittering fireflies. Fall asleep to the sound of cicadas in the upper level bedroom, then wake up with a hot shower followed by breakfast at the on-site restaurant.

A stay at Dairsie Castle certainly puts you in good company – James V, King of Scotland, fled here from captivity in 1583. The castle eventually fell into ruin but was rebuilt in the 20th century and now sleeps 14. With four-poster beds, two tower bedrooms, vaulted ceilings and even a great hall dining room, guests can live like kings. Outside, there are six acres of grounds to explore, stretching down to the river Eden. 

With its manicured gardens stretching down to a private pool, this elegant thatched villa to the north of Johannesburg exudes luxury. The four bedrooms at the Entertainer's Africa Dream each have a flatscreen TV and feather duvets (for the South African winter), and there's plenty of cosy communal space in which to relax. Need more convincing to book? Read our top seven reasons to visit Johannesburg here. 

Hanoks (traditional one-storey, tile-roofed Korean houses) are becoming increasingly popular among travellers. Built in 1934, this hanok in Seoul has been beautifully renovated and now sleeps four guests. Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia is even said to have stayed here in 2013. In true South Korean style, it has exposed beams, underfloor heating and paper-covered doors, while guests sleep on futons. 

This wood-clad apartment near Iceland’s second city Akureyri has incredible views over Eyjafjörður fjord. You’ll find opportunities for whale watching trips and midnight horse rides nearby, as well as thermal pools. The sleek interior has two bedrooms with vast windows and a deck to enjoy the views. With a bit of luck, you'll be able to watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky. Read more about nearby Akureyri here.

With its blissful views over the Atlantic, it’s hard to believe this whitewashed apartment is a short drive from Rio de Janeiro’s buzzing centre. From here, it’s a five-minute stroll to the white sands of Vidigal Beach, a local favourite. Relax in the terraced gardens or rent the hot tub and chill out with the sound of the waves in the background.

This sleek condo has it all, from breathtaking views across the Pacific to a rooftop infinity pool and on-site gym. Enjoy a sundowner from the hot tub on your balcony, while watching the sun set over the ocean. A short walk takes to you Los Muertos beach below, where you can jet ski, windsurf and parasail. 

This Victorian former church is both stylish and steeped in history. Think stained glass windows, luxurious bedrooms, exposed wood floors and views over magical Glastonbury Tor. There's sleeping for 17, a hot tub and sitting room with a glass-sided wood burner – the perfect spot for a group holiday.  

Once a family home, this cave-like studio in Crete is carved out of natural rock. Sleeping up to two adults and two children, the Stone Villa has a kitchenette and balcony with stunning views over Kissamos bay. 

This cosy home in Queenstown has some seriously amazing views. It’s perched on the bank of South Island's Lake Wakatipu, with the snow-dusted Remarkables mountain range beyond, yet just a 12-minute walk to the centre of Queenstown. The stylish interior screams comfort with a huge sofa, three bedrooms, fluffy rugs and floor-to-ceiling windows. Oh, and did we mention the view? 

Discover 50 reasons why you must visit New Zealand here. 

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture with a stay in a historic machiya house. These townhouses traditionally combined the owner’s shop and home – in this instance the hosts run an antique shop next door. The property sleeps four (on futons) and is charmingly decorated.

You’ll find this charming one-bedroom bamboo cabana nestled among lush vegetation on an organic farm in Colombia’s Andean mountains. Shower alfresco to the sound of birdsong, then wander through the bamboo forest to the mountain stream and waterfall below. When you can finally tear yourself away, take a day trip and explore Colombia’s coffee region. 

This stylish riad provides the perfect bolt hole from Marrakesh’s bustling souks. The three-bed property, which includes a tiled plunge pool and roof terrace, is available for exclusive hire, and can sleep up to seven guests. The host at Dar Ahwach even welcomes you with pancakes, jam and fresh oranges. View our guide to Marrakesh here.

This apartment in Riva is the most wish-listed Airbnb property by UK travellers, and it’s not hard to see why. From the spectacular views over the glassy waters of Lake Iseo to the shared pool and tennis court, it’s also amazing value, sleeping six and costing from £68 ($86) a night. Peak season can book up months in advance so get organised. 

This eco-home, in a remote valley in the Californian desert, is stunningly designed. It relies on solar panels for energy and hot water and, in keeping with the unplugged vibe, there’s no TV. Guests rave about the jaw-dropping desert sunrises and epic stargazing, especially thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the house.

The host of this carefully crafted home likens the living bamboo cottage to a woven basket. Beautifully located on the rice fields, just minutes from Ubud, it sleeps four in one bedroom and has an open-air shower. Breakfast is delivered on the patio and guests have access to the saltwater pool at the nearby lodge. 

This idyllic drystone hut (known as a trullo) dates back some 300 years, but inside you’ll find all mod cons including wi-fi, a sound system and TV. The property is designed to be environmentally friendly as well as beautiful, with solar power used to generate the hot water and organic bath products. Wander the grounds where you can feast on figs, cherries and apples from the trees, before cooking with oil produced in the olive grove. 

Sleep amidst the jungle canopy, in this high-flying haven on the outskirts of Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park. A wraparound veranda gives panoramic views over the rainforest, while the shower cascades with naturally caught rainwater. Fall asleep to the sound of coquí frogs chirping away.  

Tucked away amongst pine trees and on the edge of a forest, Villa Amani offers a secluded spot in southwest France. Take a dip in the turquoise pool, relax on the vast deck or kick back in the light-filled interior, which sleeps eight. If you fancy a quick trip out, it's a 15-minute cycle to the nearby Atlantic coast.

A kaleidoscope of colours, the Tile House is adorned both inside and out with an intricate mosaic of handmade ceramics, Mexican tiles and glass baubles. Inside you’ll find two bedrooms, a kitchen and wood-burning stove. Outside, there’s a hot tub where you can bubble away and admire views over the California desert. At night, look out for meteor showers. 

Discover 50 incredible attractions in the Golden State here. 

This stone-built studio apartment in Montenegro is one of the most popular Airbnbs in Europe, largely thanks to its exquisite position on edge of Kotor Bay. Soak up the views as you eat breakfast on the terrace, then wander down to the waterfront and take a boat trip around the bay. 

If you hanker after your own paradise island, without a hefty price tag, this could be it – rooms in a rustic six-person chalet on São Sebastião cost from £20 ($25) a night. They may not come with wi-fi and air-con, but guests can snorkel and kayak the pristine waters, or even explore the archipelago by boat. You can rent individual rooms or hire the entire chalet. 

At Hector Cave House, soak up the staggering sight of the caldera from your private plunge pool. Once a wine cellar, the house was carved into the cliff face over 250 years ago. The wine bottles may be long gone but the stylish interior now has two bathrooms, a seating area with flatscreen TV and space to sleep five. Read our complete guide to Santorini here.

Be at one with nature in The Secret Treehouse, suspended high above Australia’s Blue Mountains rainforest. You’ll find a kitchenette, bedroom and a spa bath, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows which look out over the gorge below. Watch the sun set then toast your toes by the fire, before admiring the canopy of stars. With a spot of clever timing (and luck) you might catch a meteor shower.

Now read: the best affordable 5-star hotels in the world.