What is an unusual stay?
Definition, synonyms, main types and origins of the unique-accommodation trend.
What is an unusual stay — An unusual stay (also called a unique accommodation or off-grid stay) is an atypical lodging that breaks away from conventional hotels — treehouses, transparent bubbles, tiny houses, yurts, geodesic domes, houseboats, tipis, unusual castles… These stays offer immersive experiences, often deeply connected to nature or built around a unique thematic world.
Synonyms and equivalent expressions
In English, you'll also find:
- unique accommodation
- atypical lodging
- off-grid stay
- bucket-list stay
- glamping (luxury camping)
- alternative accommodation
- boutique escape
- experiential stay
The main types of unusual stays
Today's unusual stays fall into about ten major families, each offering a radically different experience.
- Cabin (often elevated)The classic: wooden structure built in a tree or on stilts, deep in the forest. The very embodiment of returning to nature.
- Transparent bubbleAn inflatable transparent sphere set in a natural setting. You sleep literally under the stars, sheltered from the elements.
- Tiny houseMini-house on wheels or stilts, optimised to offer studio-level comfort within 15 to 25 m². Often eco-friendly.
- YurtTraditional circular Mongolian dwelling in felt and wood. A perfect thermal cocoon for cool nights.
- Geodesic domeHemispherical structure often featuring a large glass panel facing the view. Iconic architecture for panoramic destinations.
- TipiConical tent inspired by Native American design, with a top opening for fire. A deeply immersive, sometimes rustic experience.
- Houseboat / bargeHabitable boat moored on a canal or river, converted into accommodation. Very popular in Bruges, Ghent or Liège.
- Unusual castlePrivate suites in renovated historic castles. For heritage, luxury and exceptional settings.
- Atypical hotel suiteThemed room in a boutique hotel: spa suite, jacuzzi suite, cinema decor, glass mezzanine…
- GlampingContraction of 'glamour' and 'camping'. Lodge tent equipped like a hotel: real bed, private bathroom, sometimes jacuzzi.
Where does the unusual-stay trend come from?
The modern concept of an 'unusual stay' emerges in the 2000s in the United States and Scandinavia, driven by two parallel movements: the post-burnout return to nature, and the rise of glamping (glamour + camping), which reconciles hotel comfort with wild settings.
In Belgium, the first commercial cabins appear in the Ardennes from 2010-2012, followed by transparent bubbles around 2015-2017. The 2020 pandemic dramatically accelerated demand: with travel abroad impossible, Belgians rediscovered their own regions and the atypical-accommodation market exploded.
Today the sector counts more than 400 registered unusual accommodations across Belgium, from solar tiny houses in the Flemish polders to elevated cabins in the Hautes Fagnes.
Why is Belgium a perfect playground?
Compact (200 km north to south), accessible by train from Paris or Amsterdam, with rare landscape diversity packed into few kilometres: Ardennes forests, Flemish polders, Bruges canals, Meuse valleys…
Belgian unusual weekends mainly target couples (60-70 % of overnights) seeking an intimate setting, a private jacuzzi and a natural backdrop. Average budget: €150-280 per night for two in high season.
For what occasion?
Unusual stays are often chosen based on the trip context:
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an unusual stay and glamping?
Glamping (glamour + camping) is a sub-type of unusual stay: a lodge tent or yurt equipped like a hotel. All glamping is an unusual stay, but the reverse is not true — a permanent cabin or castle is not glamping.
How much does a night in an unusual stay cost in Belgium?
Expect €130-180 for a basic cabin, €180-250 for a transparent bubble, €200-300 for a tiny house with private jacuzzi, and €250-450 for a castle suite or premium dome. Breakfast often charged separately.
Are unusual stays open year-round?
Yes for the vast majority — heated bubbles, insulated cabins, domes with stoves. A few tipis or lodge tents close from November to March. Winter is actually peak season for the cocooning experience (jacuzzi, sauna, fireplace).
Do you need any special equipment?
No, all professional unusual stays provide bed linen, towels and a basic toiletry kit. Just bring sturdy shoes for nature accommodations and a head torch for night-time movement around off-grid stays.
What is the best season to book?
May-June and September offer the best weather/price compromise (high season July-August = +20-30 %). For romantic weekends with jacuzzi, autumn and winter work very well. Book 2 to 4 months ahead for the best addresses.