Designed by a Finnish architect in 1968, the Futuro House was originally conceived as a ski cabin, but its flying saucer shape, and airplane hatch entrance, made the houses popular among collectors. Around a hundred of the pods were built and this is the only known example of one being used as a unique vacation rental.

The perfect compromise between authenticity and comfort, these former sheep wagons were designed to provide shelter, storage and mobility for the herder on the open rangelands of western America. Now equipped with comfy beds and wood burning stoves, the wagons offer a cosy getaway in the Pine Ridge of Nebraska.

The brainchild of a former punk rocker and studio artist turned architect, this remarkable open-air dwelling in the desert near Joshua Tree is available through Pretty Vacant Properties, a vacation rental company named after a Sex Pistols' song. Check out the superb photo narrative of this goth getaway in the LA Times.

For lovers of wildlife and the great big outdoors, this private bison reserve in the wilderness of Montana is exclusively available to only one group at a time - yours! Bison Quest offers all-inclusive adventure packages and the unique chance to study a buffalo herd, with a choice of log cabins or tipis as your accommodation.

Not strictly a treehouse, rather a house with a giant redwood tree growing up through the middle of it, encased in glass as proof. Situated on the banks of the Russian River in Healdsburg, this unique property has been described as one of the most enchanting vacation rentals in all of California Wine Country.

 

Geared towards the savvy and discerning traveller, UNdo:PDX is a spacious modernist retreat in the southwest hills of Portland. Just minutes from the shopping and nightlife of the Pearl District, Downtown and the Nike headquarters, the house is centrally located yet tucked away overlooking a vast canyon.

Owned by the famous McCormick Spice family, the Onion House is a unique architectural oddity now available to rent as a holiday retreat in Kailua Kona on Hawaii's big island. Built by celibrated architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, the house was designed to take full advantage of its natural tropical surroundings.

The brainchild of Kate Piersen, singer of new wave group The B52s, the Lazy Meadow Motel is a collection of self-catering love nests near Woodstock in upstate New York. Boasting wonderful views of the Catskill Mountains, the cabins are decked out in a retro-style in keeping with the band's music.

Holiday Pad has gained a reputation for showcasing some of the world's most unusual holiday homes and this massive cave house in Arkansas is no exception. Taking nearly four years to complete, such is its scale, the house is set on a 530 acre estate in the wild beauty of the Ozark countryside. Perfect for spelunkers!

Bring your guitars and enjoy the acoustics in these Buckminster Fuller inspired geodesic domes, located near the entrance to the Joshua Tree National Park. The two houses can be rented together to provide accommodation and leisure facilities for up to 20 people, making this an ideal venue for corporate retreats.

Renovated from the ground up on eco-friendly principles, this collection of cottages in LA's hipster district of Venice Beach were rescued from dilapidation in 2007 by a husband and wife team. At the time of writing their website lacks info, so visit Tree Hugger for some background and Eric Staudenmaier for more photos.

Ever fancied yourself as a lighthouse keeper? Well, here's your big chance. Accessible only by boat, this working lighthouse on Rose Island is offering a unique and rewarding holiday experience where, for a fee, you'll be in charge for a week. Your first official duty will be to take down the flag at sunset.

Having changed hands several times since it was deserted in 1918, Dunton Hot Springs was a former mining town in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Restored by local Native American craftsmen into a private luxury spa resort, with natural hot springs, log cabin connoisseurs will think they've died and gone to heaven.