Lighthouses You Can Rent On Airbnb For A Seaside Escape

Airbnb has grown to accommodate all kinds of stays, from typical apartment rentals to unique, one-of-a-kind locations. In browsing its website, you can search for eccentric categories like treehouses, castles, tiny homes, and other eclectic housing. However, it's not as easy to search for revamped lighthouses.

Dozens of hosts have listed interesting converted lighthouses in the United States and other countries worldwide. Throughout history, these lighthouses were necessary to guide sailors safely along the shore. Although modern technology has made them less imperative for seafaring laborers in today's society, staying in a lighthouse is a great way to have a unique stay with a view of the water. 

Here are some of the most impressive rentable lighthouses in the world. While the structures are well preserved and boast historic architecture anywhere from the 1700s to the 1950s, the interior design contrasts the old-timey exterior. From minimalist aesthetics worthy of magazine covers to eclectic vintage interiors, here are some of the most charming lighthouses on Airbnb.

Nestled between a pine forest and the Pacific Ocean is the Sitka Lighthouse in Alaska, United States. This is another American Airbnb, although it's located on the opposite coastline of the previous Wings Neck Lighthouse. This lighthouse was originally built in 1883 by a local man who chopped the wood and made the structure by hand. It was registered shortly afterward with the U.S. Coast Guard, which provides a historic backstory for this unique vacation home.

After being purchased by the Airbnb hosts in 2018, the tower was revamped and fully furnished with natural wood furniture and metal accent pieces. The interior design uses an interesting mix of coastal, rustic, and industrial furniture, giving new meaning to what a beachy house can look like. While there is coastal rattan furniture in the living room, it is mixed with tufted wingback chairs and a Ralph Lauren-inspired leather couch for a traditional touch, and contrasted with a modern geometric area rug and blanket ladder. Many of the rooms are also decorated with additional folksy touches, including a pair of acoustic guitars, a small globe, and an assorted quilt rack.

In the popular tourist destination of England, there is a lighthouse coined the "Living in a Lighthouse" Airbnb, which is situated in Winterton-on-Sea in Norfolk. This seaside tower was initially built in the 1700s, although it has been reconstructed over time. According to Norfolk Heritage Explorer, this building was utilized as a Coast Guard observation post during World War II. It was a key piece of anti-invasion defenses set up along the coastline. At present, this lighthouse is one of the few surviving historical buildings at the site.

Inside, there aren't extra walls to limit the circular shape of some of the rooms. As far as the interior decoration goes, the curved furniture matches the round building shape, creating a consistent theme in every story of this refurbished tower. The couches are crescent-shaped, hugging the walls as they curve. Custom curved benches, bookcases, and bunkbeds also swoop with the walls, honoring the architecture of the space. The home also features a cantilevered staircase, which slightly twists in the middle, cinching the lighthouse's theme.

The Red Point Lighthouse replica in Maryland in the United States has a different layout than most lighthouse Airbnbs. Instead of featuring a freestanding tower and attached cottage, this building is a polygonal shape with the lighthouse protruding out of the center. The red roofing and off-white walls create a welcoming and charming atmosphere.

The interior features a cabin-like environment with vibrant wooden walls, floors, and stairs, and primarily dark wood furniture. Like many other lighthouses, there are navy blue couches to emulate a nautical theme throughout the living area. Small white accents and industrial decor add to the rustic but marine vibe of the home. Two decks wrap around the bottom and second story, and look out over the Chesapeake Bay and the outskirts of the nearby state forest, creating an indoor/outdoor living space. Every living area in the home has windows for gazing out at the nearby scenery, making the coast a part of the decor.

Norfolk, England, isn't the only English city with a historic lighthouse. The Cromer Lighthouse was initially built in 1680 but has been refurbished into a white octagonal tower with teal accents. The latest remodel was built in 1833 and provides spectacular panoramic views of Norwich and the North Sea.

In order to create a modern contemporary space, the interior keeps to a white, yellow, and blue theme. The house is arranged similarly to traditional working lighthouses, with the bedroom on one level, the living area and kitchen on another, and a sitting gallery at the top. Many of the rooms feature a lot of open space and white color, creating an airy vibe that mimics the open waters just outside the windows. 

Most lighthouse layouts don't have much walking space due to having a polygonal tower shape. However, this lighthouse has a broader floor plan that provides considerable space more akin to what most homeowners and renters are used to. 

Standing tall at five stories and situated right off the coast of Prince Edward Island in Canada is the Brackley Beach Lighthouse. This structure is the tallest in the neighborhood and provides an all-encompassing view of two bays. You cannot access the top deck of the lighthouse, but the windows on all sides of the buildings still allow spectacular views of both the sandy beaches and the famous red cliffs.

Painted in a traditional white color, the old-timey lighthouse exterior matches the rustic cabin interior. Inside this Airbnb are wooden walls and old-fashioned furniture pieces that provide a familiar homely aesthetic. Floral, striped, and traditional patterned quilts are used as bedding, creating a nostalgic vibe throughout the space. The fancy florals, layered patterns, and comfy details meld together to create a "granny chic" interior, creating a charming aesthetic.