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While I’m generally skeptical of the benefits of apps, I used to like Airbnb a lot. The original concept of renting out either a room or house through an app was actually quite useful for an eighteen-year-old who could not afford a hotel room and, in some cases, was not able to check in due to my age. Of course, every app eventually becomes terrible, but instead of Airbnb becoming terrible due to corporate greed like Uber, it was the hosts that got greedy. They started demanding insane prices, often exceeding hotels in similar areas and adding “cleaning fees” that would sometimes double or triple the cost of your rooms. Just like that, I started using hotels again, and I will say hotels are better in almost every conceivable way. Daily housekeeping and better amenities, and statistically, you are less likely to be recorded by a hidden camera in your room. But, there is one thing that Airbnb has over hotels. I'm talking, of course, about curated, themed stays.
Some hotels might offer curated rooms, but generally, when I imagine a “themed” hotel room, I imagine a motel room with a heart-shaped bath in the middle of the room, which, of course, is completely carpeted. It’s a very 80’s, terrible, mold-filled disaster. Then there’s the Clown House from The Good Place. Both are the stuff of nightmares, and I would assume the food is terrible. Themed Airbnb’s are completely different. Usually, the Airbnb host is a fan of the theme and puts a lot of effort into creating a special space. On top of this, popular themes for Airbnbs are incredibly competitive. If the theming is weak, another better-themed Airbnb will take your customers. Interestingly, the attention to detail of the theming does not mean less competition because if there are only two options for a specific theme, unless the price difference is massive, the prospective renters will choose the better one.
This brings us to today's topic: Alice in Wonderland-themed Airbnbs. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is in no way a niche interest, which means the competition is fierce. There are some fantastic options out there all over the world. I’m bringing you five Alice-themed Airbnbs that I think are the creme de la creme. I honestly never thought I would use the one year I studied beer hospitality in college for one of these blogs, but here we are.
Kicking off this list is Alice’s Palace, a beautifully designed condo in St Augustine, Florida. “A sophisticated twist” on the Madhatter’s tea party, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom oasis is eccentric yet subtle in its theming. To explain what I mean by the previously stated oxymoron, if you wanted to stay at an Alice-themed Airbnb and someone you were going with didn’t want that, this place would be a perfect balance. The colors and furniture are fun without screaming, "Alice!" But if one were to look closer, they would find little details all around them. With many different rabbit statuettes, a flamingo sculpture, and checkerboard patterns, those who know Wonderland will feel right at home. My favorite bit is the Dormouse’s door, which leads to a drawing of a keyhole. If I were going to St Augustine, I would definitely want to check this place out.
If the first one was subtle, the Mad Hatter Cottage is loud. With cloud lights, a tree-shaped fireplace, a plant-covered wall, mushrooms everywhere, a giant chessboard, and a neon sign that reads, “We’re All Mad Here,” it’s pretty obvious where the inspiration for this cabin comes from. This one was my girlfriend's favorite because it’s a grown-up twist on Alice. And I mean grown up. On the listing, the host makes a point to say, “Our home is NOT suitable for children. The terrain can be dangerous and there are adult motifs present throughout the home.” While I understand the difficult terrain to an extent, I haven’t seen any blatantly adult motifs that I wouldn’t be comfortable with a child seeing. But I don’t have a child or live in Georgia, so my sensibilities might be different. That being said, if you have a slightly older Alice fan in your life that you want to take on a vacation, they will not forget it; this is the one. Plus, it’s in the middle of a forest on a river. Honestly, the space is beautiful.
Okay, what if you want loud but have children? Well, Alice in Wonderland in the Ozark Mountains is 100% the spot you need to rent. This nine-guest, three-bedroom, two-bathroom house instantly takes you down a kid-friendly rabbit hole to a wonderland they will never forget. With Alice quotes everywhere you look, a massive game room painted to look like Wonderland, and, to top it all off, a home theater, your Alice-loving kids will truly feel like they are living in Wonderland. Each room has a different Alice theme, ranging from the Cheshire Cat to the Red Queen. Look, I’m a grown-ish person. I have a beard, pay taxes incorrectly, and my back hurts for no discernible reason, but when someone puts a SLIDE inside their house, I’m sold. If you or a loved one loves Alice or you have kids, stay here.
This wouldn’t be a proper Airbnb listicle without a tiny home. Nestled in Hayesville, North Carolina, Alice’s Queen Cottage will make you feel like the Red Queen. Intricately designed and painted, everywhere you look, there is a heart, mushroom, flower, or other Alice motif to remind you that while the house is tiny, you are the queen. This Airbnb actually shares a lot with many other Alice-inspired stays, including Alice’s White Bunny Cottage, Mad Hatter RV, Dormouse RV, Cheshire Cat RV, Caterpillar RV, and March Hare RV. (There are also some Harry Potter stays on the campground, but that’s not what you’re here for.) Not only are the stays here fantastic, but the grounds include a Fairy Garden, a Wonderland fire pit, and a hot tub. Go and get lost in the Magical Mountain Resorts Enchanted Forest.
Allow me to paint a picture in your mind. You and your family/friends want to go to the United Kingdom to see Alice's homeland. Maybe there are sixteen or more of you. Unfortunately, there are only so many Alice-themed stays all over the world, and you don’t want to end up in a bad one. Well worry not, for the massive Wonderland Townhouse in Bath and North East Somerset sports eight bedrooms. Its theming is intricate yet tasteful. The British really know what they are doing. It’s posh yet whimsical. Take, for example, the dining room. Strip away the faux garden of silk flowers coming out of the ceiling and the room still works. This house will never fail to remind you that you are in Wonderland.
As you can see, there is an Alice-themed Airbnb stay for every kind of Alice fan. Of course, I only listed five here, but there are many, many more personal wonderlands scattered all across the globe. All one has to do is go down the rabbit hole that is Airbnb. As with all my blogs, please let me know if you liked what you saw and if you have any Alice-themed Airbnbs you want to stay at. Also, if you have stayed at an Alice-themed Airbnb, I would love to hear how it was.
Jared Hoffman graduated from the American Film Institute with a degree in screenwriting. A Los Angeles native, his brand of comedy is satire stemming from the many different personalities and egos he has encountered throughout his life. As a lover of all things comedy, Jared is always working out new material and trying to make those around him laugh. His therapist claims this is a coping mechanism, but what does she know?