Places to Stay
With antique furniture, grandma-chic quilts, and patterned wallpaper, these Airbnbs are of another era.
Courtesy of Airbnb
Internet-driven micro-trends come and go—remember tomato-girl summer, or coastal cowboy?—but one term has stood the test of time: cottagecore. The cutesy aesthetic entered the mainstream around 2020, when creative individuals under quarantine began romanticizing the return to a simpler life—baking sourdough bread, growing vegetables, and enjoying analog hobbies like reading or knitting. The lifestyle has translated to interior design as well—think antique furniture, patchwork quilts, patterned wallpaper, and wild gardens—and can be found at hotels like The Six Bells in Rosendale, New York, which embraces the whimsical country-house fantasy.
Cottagecore, I would argue, is as stable a design term as Scandinavian minimalism, and while it offers many offshoots, from folklectic to granny chic, the ultimate goal is a nostalgic return to the past. The Airbnbs on this list—cottages and cabins spanning upstate New York to California’s Mendocino Coast—all embrace their natural surroundings and feature wonderfully homespun interior design. Whether you want to spend your days strolling around a garden or reading without distraction, these are the best cottagecore Airbnbs for inspiring an unplugged lifestyle.
We've selected these listings based on Superhost and Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews.
In this article:
Tiny home in Tennessee
Number of guests: 4
Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Why we love it: Hot tub, garden, movie projector, flower gardenEditorial assistant Kat Chen visited this tiny home in Nashville. She says, “Walking under that first trellis to the garden was like stepping into a portal to the Hundred Acre Wood. The moments after were all ivy-covered pathways, elegant outdoor cats, and even a burbling brook.” Chen noted that all the appliances, from the retro Frigidaire and copper-plated French press in the kitchen to the clawfoot tub in the bathroom, were of a different era. Be sure to bring your swimsuit: There’s a lovely hot tub out back, perfect for taking in the woodsy surrounds.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Things to do nearby: Geodis Park, Dozen Bakery, Dolly Parton muralSecluded, woodsy escape in New York
Number of guests: 4
Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
Why we love it: AGA stove, indoor fireplace, impeccable designQuaker Hill Cottage is all about rustic simplicity—from the patinated wooden stools to the brushed linens. The kitchen is a total dream, and guests intent on cooking will enjoy making use of the AGA stove (a cast-iron stove that uses continuous radiant heat), Moccamaster coffee machine, KitchenAid mixer, and high-quality cookware. There are thoughtful design details throughout the two bedrooms—one with a king-size bed, the other with a queen—including color-washed walls, printed wallpaper, and modern light fixtures. As one guest reviewer put it, “If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a place worthy of being featured in Architectural Digest, this is it!”
Location: Pawling, New York
Things to do nearby: downtown Pawling, Great Hollow Nature Preserve, Thunder Ridge Ski Area
Restored 1840s smokehouse in Georgia
Number of guests: 2
Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Why we love it: Shared outdoor pool, private hot tub, garden viewJust a half mile away from Marietta Square, this former 1840s smokehouse once belonged to two Georgia governors, but today it’s a peaceful garden retreat. If cottagecore met Southern charm, the result would be this two-bedroom guesthouse, featuring rustic wood paneling and original stone walls. The shed, with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows, is a perfect place for getting some morning sun or reading a book in the evening. Outside, guests have access to the shared pool, private hot tub, and cabana. They can also take advantage of the provided bicycles to explore nearby trails, or request to use the SkyTrak golf simulator on the property for an additional fee.
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Things to do nearby: Marietta Museum of History, William Root House Museum & Garden, Gone with the Wind MuseumShabby chic townhouse in New York
Number of guests: 5
Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath
Why we love it: Cast-iron soaking tub, heated bathroom floors, pet-friendlyThis Hudson Valley townhouse is an antique lover’s dream, not least because it’s steps away from the finest antique stores on Warren Street. The home is filled with rustic design details, from the copper cookware in the French-inspired kitchen to the fogged glass doors in the main bedroom. In addition to three bedrooms—one with a king bed, one with a double, and one with a bunk—there’s an adorable reading nook with floor-to-ceiling linen drapery, as well as a spa-like bathroom with a cast-iron tub and heated marble floors.
Location: Hudson, New York
Things to do nearby: The Antique Warehouse, Olana Historic Site, BackBar restaurant
Peaceful retreat on the Mendocino Coast
Number of guests: 6
Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath
Why we love it: Private backyard, clawfoot tub, pet-friendlyFor a peaceful escape on the Mendocino Coast, look no further than this 1908 cottage set in a village overlooking the Albion River. Wonderfully old-fashioned and decidedly spare, the restored home boasts a clawfoot tub, a well-stocked kitchen, and a private patio from which to enjoy the sea air. The bedrooms are straight out of a storybook, with four-poster beds, red painted doors, and patchwork quilts. Downtown Mendocino is just a 15-minute drive away, home to local art galleries and farm-to-table cafés.
Location: Little River, California
Things to do nearby: Navarro Beach, Terra Mar Kitchen, downtown MendocinoHistoric garden home in Colorado
Number of guests: 2
Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Why we love it: Garden, patio, full kitchenThis Littleton home, just a five-minute walk from Hamlet Park, is the very definition of a cute little cottage. With its green siding and surrounding gardens, it provides an idyllic nest for adventures around Colorado, whether you’re interested in exploring Chatfield State Park or seeing a show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The kitchen, featuring mint-green cabinetry and a retro refrigerator, has all the appliances you need for meals at home, while the living room houses a darling table for two. Even the bathroom stands out, newly renovated with floral floor tiles and printed wallpaper.
Location: Littleton, Colorado
Things to do nearby: North Table Mountain, Chatfield State Park, Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Charming guesthouse in California
Number of guests: 6
Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Why we love it: Screened-in porch, fenced-in garden, gas fireplaceWith close proximity to the Santa Ynez Valley wineries, this sunlit guesthouse in Ballard is another ultimate West Coast getaway. Antique touches decorate the home, from horse paintings and oriental rugs to woven baskets and brassy hardware. Six guests can spread across three bedrooms, prepare home-cooked meals in the fully stocked kitchen, then gather around the grand farmhouse-style dining table. There are plenty of ways to get cozy, whether that looks like soaking in the clawfoot tub or reading on the rocking chairs on the screened-in porch. For longer stays, a dedicated laundry room is a welcome amenity.
Location: Solvang, California
Things to do nearby: Bob’s Well Bread bakery, Ballard Inn Restaurant, Rideau VineyardWhimsical stone house in Vermont
Number of guests: 2
Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Why we love it: Unconventional architecture, fireplace, soaking tubSet in Vermont’s Green Mountains, this hobbit-like home is for those whose version of cottagecore includes a little fairy-tale magic. The handcrafted stone cottage will make you feel as though you’re moving through a burrow, with organic ceilings that you can nearly touch. In addition to the queen-size bed, there’s a propane fireplace and a deep soaking tub for moments of relaxation, plus a dining table outside to enjoy the views of rural Sandgate. Many guests report the home is even better than the pictures let on.
Location: Sandgate, Vermont
Things to do nearby: Batten Kill River, Arlington Recreation Park, American Museum of Fly Fishing
Bucolic farm stay in Maine
Number of guests: 10
Bed and bath: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
Why we love it: Mountain views, waterfront location, wraparound porchPerfect for a wedding or a large group getaway, Tucker Farm House is a quintessential Maine stay with views of both the Saco River and White Mountains. The first floor is designed for gathering, with a huge open-plan kitchen, grand dining table, and chimney stack consisting of a wood-burning stove and fireplace. The four bedrooms—which offer a combination of one king bed, two queens, and four singles—evoke a country-chic vibe with their patterned wallpaper and pops of color. From the back and side porches, you can sip your morning coffee or catch the sunset, all while taking in the bucolic New England views.
Location: Limington, Maine
Things to do nearby: Jagolinzer Preserve, Sawyer Mountain Trailhead, Moy Mo Da Yo Recreational AreaRomantic stone home in Pennsylvania
Number of guests: 2
Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Why we love it: Wood-burning fireplace, terrace, in-unit washer/dryerTucked away on a private country road in New Hope, Pennsylvania, this 100-year-old cottage is perfect for a romantic getaway or writer’s retreat. It features hardwood floors, handmade tiles, aged brick, and a cathedral-style ceiling, which all come together in the cozy living room; here, you’ll also find a wood-burning fireplace, which the hosts have graciously supplied with wood. Windows bring the surrounding greenery into the space, while the upstairs bedroom will make you feel as though you’re sleeping in a tree house.
Location: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Things to do nearby: George Nakashima House, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Washington Crossing Historical Park
FAQ:
What is cottagecore?
Cottagecore is an aesthetic that romanticizes the slow life: countryside living, baking bread, and vintage everything. While some say cottagecore emerged on the internet as early as 2017, it was during the pandemic when it really picked up steam, becoming a mainstream trend. Creatives had more time on their hands, engaging in the slow gratification of analog tasks like sourdough bread baking and knitting. As it translates to interior design, Architectural Digest notes cottagecore is about embracing coziness, bringing natural elements indoors as decoration (dried flowers, for instance), and embracing your grandmother’s vintage dishware. Hotels like The Six Bells and Maison Monna are excellent examples of this design aesthetic.
Where can you find cottagecore-esque rentals?
Cottagecore-inspired rentals are especially popular in New York’s Hudson Valley and Catskill regions, as well as rural pockets of New England. You’ll also find some cottagecore elements in restored farmhouses in the South, as well as coastal beach houses on the West Coast. Basically, look for any pastoral setting that’s fit for a cottage or cabin.
Jessica Sulima is a Commerce Writer at Condé Nast Traveler, where she covers hotel and booking content, as well as travel deals. Originally from New Jersey, she attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she holds a Bachelor’s degree in English with minors in Spanish and Art History. Previously at Thrillist, ... Read More