Tiny Homes with BIG Personalities: The Best Little Rentals in the World

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If you’re into the tiny house movement, get excited. If you’re still unsure about it, I think you’ll realise what the hype is all about by the end of this list. Check out these spectacular petite lodges all around the world where you’ll see how travels are infinitely maximised in a tiny space.

Hidden Creek Mobile Home – Blue Mountains, Australia

Australia is one big adventure. And weirdly, when you shrink your rental down, the adventure feels even bigger. Your backyard grows, and so does your freedom.

Staying in the Blue Mountains is the perfect answer to some peace and quiet. If you’re looking to get out of the bustling metropolis of Sydney or escape the usual rat race, check out this mobile home in Kurrajong.

The design is sleek and stylish with big windows from ceiling to floor that flood the hut with light. It’s got all the necessities of a full kitchen and air-con (which I’ve learnt the hard way, is somewhat essential for most of the year!).

The bed is snug and they’ve thought of every little detail from shelves to hooks so you can organise your stuff and make the most of the small space that you have. Then you can take your nights out by the fire pit under the stars.

Even though you’ll feel disconnected here, you’ll still be close to the town. So you can drive back to reality whenever you’re feeling up to it.

Roots Deluxe Treehouse – Bali, Indonesia

Who hasn’t thought about living in the treetops? And which traveller doesn’t dream about adventures in Bali? Located in the south of this paradise island, you’re surrounded by lush, green jungle – and you’re surrounded by stunning locations in every direction.

As I climbed these stairs, this tiny home quickly climbed to the top of the list of the best tiny homes to rent in the world. At night, you’re surrounded by the rhythmic hum of crickets that sing you to sleep.

Although it’s a humble setting, you’ll still get your own terrace, bathroom, and access to a shared pool. The beds are really comfy too. That makes all the difference!

There is no kitchen, which is a bit of a bummer. Though, the breakfast is absolutely God-tier. It’s the perfect way to start a heavy day of doing sweet nothing.

Their onsite spa adds a little bit of luxury to your little living that some of us crave. If you want to get your relaxation on, join a yoga class or book in with one of the best massages!

The Wild Rose Cabin and Garden – Miami, Florida, USA

When I tell you that I did not expect to feel so at home in Miami, that’s because I wasn’t expecting to find anything like this fun-sized cabin. With just one little bedroom, this chalet has every homey touch that you could think of. If you’re looking for tiny homes in Florida, this is a great place to start your searches.

Settled into Little Havana, the location is amazing just a short 7-minute ride to the coast and around 15 minutes to Miami Beach. You can sit in the peace of your own little garden and never leave – if you don’t want to.

It is pretty close to the airport, making it ideal if you’re dropping right into Miami. That does mean it gets a little noisy but this amazing host thinks of everything providing earplugs to help you settle with that.

The little garden is set back from the bustling buzz of Miami. So you can escape into the peace of your own little garden and enjoy a conversation with the flowers.

If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Miami without the usual Miami fuss, this is a top-ranker. In the evening, you can get the barbecue lit and enjoy exactly what you came here to do.

Beachside Nibbana Bungalow – Koh Phangan, Thailand

Everyone dreams of the island paradise in Thailand and Nibbana Bungalow was an answer to one of my lifelong desires. Most people travelling around Thailand will probably stumble upon the popular island of Koh Phangan at some point.

In this tiny house beach rental in Thailand, you can enjoy your own beachside paradise with everything you could ever need. The little wooden hut comes complete with a super comfy bed, a lovely balcony to swing your hammock, and a little green garden that opens out right onto the beach.

As well as all that, you’ll even have your own private pool and hanging cargo net so you can sink into relaxation. You’ll be drifting off to sleep with the sound of the waves, and you needn’t even leave your comfort.

And yes, even though Thailand is one of the world’s reigning champions in culinary delights, you’ll still have access to your own private kitchen. Really – everything you’ll ever need.

Is This the Best Backpack EVER???

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

View on Osprey View on REI

Big Apple Manhattan Apartment – NY, USA

The “land of freedom” sometimes gets lost in translation. When everyone seems to be looking for bigger and better, they forget that smaller and sweeter is right there for the taking.

Staying in New York City is a delight in every sense. Sometimes you discover senses that you didn’t even know that you have. So being able to come back to a perfectly-designed micro apartment allows you to rejuvenate and feel like yourself again.

Right at the edge of Lower Manhattan on the waterfront, this has got to be one of the most spectacular travel moments you could experience in the City That Never Sleeps. The Sonder Battery Park Apartments are snuggly and hidden away from the hustle and bustle, but offer you all kinds of incredible amenities.

The apartment comes with all the washer-dryer facilities so you can stay as long as you need. The block comes with a gym, a rooftop pool, and some of the most spectacular views in the whole city.

Worry not, there is a lift to access all floors. There are even some apartments that have disabled access. This is truly a tiny home experience that welcomes everyone. (Except it is certainly on the expensive side so maybe it isn’t so welcoming to budget backpackers!)

Two-Bedroom Beachside Copacabana – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

There’s no way I could write up a list of tiny homes with BIG personalities without including some Latino love. Enter RIO! If there’s anyone who knows big personalities, it’s the Brazilians.

This is one of the most amazing little apartments to rent with friends or a group as it has 2 bedrooms, but somehow enough space for 8 guests. So if you and your buddies are really working on a tight budget, but want all the joys of staying beachside Copacabana, this is a must-see.

If you’re looking to stay in Rio de Janeiro, planning ahead will do you some huge favours, especially if you’re travelling in high season from December to March. This is when all the Brazilians are enjoying their holidays too so accommodations book up fast – especially around Copacanaba.

This apartment has two double beds and two sofa beds too. So that’s how you fit all your friends in!

Spectacularly, it even has plenty of working spaces too. So if you’re living the digital nomad life, this is also a stunning place to set up base for a while.

The Boot – Fairytale Accommodation – Nelson, NZ

Look, I can’t… This little boot house is something else. When fairytales become reality in this post, you know that Tiny Homes are the answer to so many problems.

Of course, travelling to New Zealand also gifts you with a “yes, it was one of the best experiences of my life” auto-message. And having some time to sit back and relax from the comfort of your own Airbnb in New Zealand is work forking out a little extra dollar for.

If you’re thinking about stopping in Nelson, take it up a notch at The Boot. This adorable boot offers the most unique getaway in an amazing area around the Tasman Coast. The hosts are so amazing and are more than happy to help you out with whatever you need.

I love the attention to detail at this amazing rental from the comfy sofa by the fireplace to the beautiful spiral, wooden staircase, it’s designed so that you feel like you’ve been here before. You don’t have to look for anything you need because it feels like you already know where it is. There’s no settling in here: you’re home.

There’s no kitchen but they do provide breakfast. Plus, the BBQ helps you make the most of the great outdoors!

Asmali Cave House – Cappadocia, Turkey

If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting Turkey before, you’ll probably be aware of the famous Turkish hospitality. Always greeted with a smile – they are so welcoming to tourists who come to explore their spectacular country. Even in one of their most heavily visited regions, Cappadocia is still a unique and special place that I recommend as a seasoned traveller.

There are few places to stay in the world as unique as this corner of the world. So when you get a chance to live in a little cave house in Turkey, you should definitely take it.

I fell in love with the little one-bedroom holiday home. The one-of-a-kind carved stone interiors are breathtaking. It’s such a cosy feeling to settle down in your own micro-space built into rocks.

It also does come with self-catering facilities but you should balance that out with some incredible local food. And in your schedule, make sure you leave plenty of time to soak in the spectacular mountain views of this iconic region as hot air balloons drift by you in the breeze.

Boho Bliss Compact Cabin – Leadville, CO, USA

One of my favourite places to live the tiny home dream is Colorado. There’s something about coming in off the mountains to the smell of the wooden interior and cosying down with a good book.

In Leadville, this mini-mansion is something of dreams. It really is the epitome of small living. So make sure if you’re coming with someone, that you’re really comfortable together in small spaces!

Of course, it has all the essentials for a happy life, shrunk down and then maximised to get the ultimate satisfaction. It has a living room, porch, BBQ grill, and a full kitchen with a 4-ring gas stove and oven. So whether you’re lighting the barbecue for the summer or cooking up a storm for Thanksgiving, this is a great place to do it.

It’s just 33km to Baldy Mountain and you’re right onto the ski slopes too. Best yet, it’s pet-friendly too. So there’s room to squeeze an extra furry friend in here too.

Scottish Glamping Yurt – Turriff, Scotland

Aren’t we all just thinking of selling everything we own and finding a little corner of Scotland to set up a tiny home in the UK for retiring? I know I’m not the only one. 

I stayed in one of these glamping yurts in Scotland and slept in one of the comfiest beds of my life. The wood stove fires inside keep you toasty, even when the Scottish weather sets in.

I had a nosey around the area too and was blown away by the detail of the other accommodation they offer Shepherd’s Loch Glamping. Their cabins are something that you must see!

Scotland is the secret master of the simple life. There’s a reason why seeing grey skies and rain still brings happy faces in Scotland – and it’s not just the alcohol. The land is kinda magic and you don’t need much to live a good life. 

Prince Royal Houseboat – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

If you’re travelling around Europe, a stopover in Amsterdam is essential. And when you stopover in Dam, there’s nothing quite so iconic as staying in a houseboat. This compact boat house has everything you need in a traditional apartment – in a small, buoyant space.

Cook your own food in the fully-equipped kitchen, enjoy the big ol’ snuggly bed, and watch the world go by from your rooftop terrace. Unless it’s raining… you might not enjoy that so much then.

These unique places to stay offered people who live in a country (of which much is below sea level!) affordable housing. Today, The Netherlands embraced the floating home culture.

And in true Dutch fashion, this caused a huge shift in the fashion – and it’s not one of the most sought-after housings in the country. This, along with the boom in tourism in Amsterdam in particular means that only the lucky get to enjoy this unique type of luxury tiny house rental.

Hobbit House – Washington, USA

I’ll be honest, my jaw hit the floor when I first saw that you could actually rent this tiny home in Washington. When I walked through that perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green with a shiny, brass knob in the exact middle, my inner child danced and sang.

The only thing I was mad about was that I didn’t bring a pipe to smoke outside. I don’t even smoke.

When you look out of said round door, you could actually be in The Shire. Every touch of this tiny home has been added with such lovely care and attention, that you’re left with a memory scarred into your brain forever.

If you’re a LOTR or Tolkien fan, this is one experience I can recommend tenfold. If you’re not, you will be a fan after you stay here. The details are so carefully added to be as nerdily close to the book/film series as possible. But it also comes with a cosy bed, fireplace, and lovely patio to give you the hygge feeling that it promises.

Eco-Friendly Charco Corazon – Jardín, Colombia

In all my travels, this little town in Antioquia, Colombia stole my heart more than most. Granted, I didn’t come here alone. Though the tiny homes were PARTICULARLY tiny – so you either have to be extremely comfortable with your roomie or they’re perfectly sized tiny homes for solo travellers.

The space fits into the magical setting of Jardín with amazing green spaces and a central pond which you can even take a dip in on hot days. You’re surrounded by wildlife, beautiful hikes, and it’s just a short (and peaceful) walk into town.

There are several types of tiny homes to choose from: a standard bedroom, a deluxe option, or en suite dorms. But my favourite was the little cylinder houses. Small but extremely sweet, you open your half-round door onto the most astonishing green views. You even get your own bathroom, believe it or not.

They do not have a kitchen for guests to use, though breakfast is included and they’ll make you an amazing vegan dinner for a really fair price. If you want to stay longer, but you don’t have it in your budget, you can even ask about volunteering.

Beach Apartment Lake View – Lake Como, Italy

Many people fantasise about la dolce vita. And nowhere epitomises the sweet life quite like Lake Como. Though usually, like many of the most popular and beautiful places to travel around Europe, they come with a hefty price tag.

That’s why I fell head over heels with this humble home. The interior is nothing more than providing you with the basic necessities. But just wait until you see the view.

From your own little terrace, you’ll be enjoying everything from your morning coffee to your evening Italian wine with the most spectacular views of Lake Como. Just below your south-facing balcony, you’ll be straight onto the lakeside beach.

You can enjoy your kitchen or the infinite amount of spectacular restaurants close by. If you’re staying in Italy for a short trip or you’ve got time to extend your travels, this is one I will always recommend to friends.

Tiny Home on Wheels – New Zealand & Australia

Hey this is kind of a bucket list thing for a lot of people, right? Vanlife in New Zealand… hmmmmm. 

I tell you what, it is as good as it sounds. Everyone will agree that you need wheels to get the most out of Aotearoa. But if you have a van, the whole country becomes the garden of your tiny rental home with wheels. 

Granted, the government has been cracking down on some of the laws regarding where you can set up camp in your van. Before, anyone and everyone with 4-wheels could park up basically wherever they felt like it. Unfortunately, now you often have to check what type of van can park where.

That’s why I chose JUCY Rentals. They help you take off around the Land of the Long White Cloud with as little fuss as possible. They offer all kinds of options for different kinds of travel so you can find one that suits you.

All their rental options come with a kitchen but their Crib option doesn’t come with a toilet – so you’ll be pretty much limited to campsites with this option. I recommend The Cruiser if you’re a van life newbie as they aren’t so difficult to manoeuvre. However, if you want more space or you’re ready to step it up, The Condo is the ultimate adventure buddy.

The good news is they’re also available in Australia too! I haven’t tried them out here yet but it’s coming. 😉

It’s important you get the best rental cover for your trip. Like anything and anywhere, things go wrong all the time. And usually, normal travel insurance won’t cover you fully for van life.

Getting Insured For Your Travels

No matter where you’re going, shit happens. We all know that. So making sure you’ve got yourself covered is the best gift you can give to your future self IF things do go wrong (which hopefully, they won’t).

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

The Tiny House Movement isn’t done yet: it’s only just getting started! So no doubt, we’re all in for more and more treats as we continue our travels. From The Americas to Europe all the way to Oceania, people are realising big living can mean starting with little living.

Having just enough opens up a world of possibilities. It often makes us more grateful and appreciative and people are reporting how much more satisfied they are with their humble abodes.

Of course, glamorous lifestyles come in many forms. So for those who love the flashy lifestyle and 5-star hotels, that’s amazing! At the end of the day, it’s all about travels that fulfil your life and give you new experiences.

But for people like me, you can keep them. These humble abodes are more than enough.