It was a stellar year for Airbnb, which has forecast that more than one million people will be staying in a property listed on its platform on New Year's Eve alone.
The home-sharing platform now has a presence in 34,000 cities in over 190 countries.
With over 2 million home listings on the platform, the choices are great for travelers but can be tricky for Airbnb hosts to differentiate themselves.
From nativity-themed inns to dome-shaped huts in a "galaxy far far away," here are 10 of the most unique Airbnb holiday homes that are likely to stand out
—Posted 24 December 2015
By Aza Wee Sile
1. Fauzi Azar Inn, Nazareth
Christmas nuts! Fancy putting yourselves right in the center of a nativity scene? This Airbnb listing is not only an inn, but it is also in the heart of Nazareth where Mary and Joseph laid their baby in a manger some 2,000 years ago.
2. The Stables, Island of Richmond. Australia
"Away in a manger, no crib for a bed," you'll find the Christmas spirit alive and well in these converted stables.
The Australian stables were built in 1900, and were renovated five years ago while retaining their original red brick floors and timber doors.
3. Dragonfly Desert Retreat, California
Sandtroopers are sweeping the sandy dunes of desert planet Tatooine on a manhunt for... you?
Escape into your own world of imaginary Star Wars plots, and find refuge in this unique dome-shaped retreat near Joshua Tree National Park, California.
4. ElquiDomos Astronomic Hotel, Chile
Lie beneath the night sky lit by the stars and imagine a galaxy far, far away.
This hotel is located in Chile's Elqui Valley, which is famous for spectacular starry skies, seekers of cosmic energies and even reported UFO sightings. These tent domes are designed with stargazing in mind, so the bed is as high as possible and beneath a detachable roof.
5. Baan Hobbit, Thailand
Set atop a hill, not in the Shire, but in Thailand, these three hobbit holes derived its inspiration from the famous Lord of the Rings trilogy. They're even connected by tunnels so you're never too far away from fellow short and hairy-eared friends.
The owner also has a fine collection of hobbit costumes for you to borrow to take pictures in!
6. Sunrise House, Ubud, Bali
Everything in this villa from the walls, ceiling, roof to stairs, are crafted entirely out of bamboo.
The Sunrise House is an architectural feat, built high up on a river valley in Ubud, Bali, and nestled among tropical foliage.
7. Amboise Troglodyte-Chez Helene, France
Leave your worldly troubles and pursue the secluded hermit life in this beautiful home which was carved into a cave.
The old-world home is located in central France and just two miles away Amboise where Leonardo Da Vinci had spent his last living years.
8. Augill Castle, Northern England
Experiencing the royal treatment doesn't meant that you need to be a billionaire.
This historic English castle goes back as far as 1841, and is complete with turrets, tudor panelling and gothic windows.
9. Train Caboose, Malibu
Go off the beaten tracks, with this defunct railway train caboose. Cabooses used to be found at the end of old freight trains to provide shelter for the crew.
The train carriage was given a new lease of life as a home in the Agoura Hills, California.
10. Tamarind Cottage treehouse, Thailand
This treehouse is in the middle of a tropical teakwood forest, located in a small village in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The owner is a retired architect, who started this treehouse project back in 2010.