The Cutest Little Houseboats You Can Rent Right Now
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Lakeside Lovenest, Seattle
From $300 per night; airbnb.com
Book a stay in this houseboat and you’ll fall in love with the design as much as you will your companion. The recently remodeled “Lovenest” was decorated to mirror the “hygge” feel of a European boutique hotel (think lots of cozy materials like chunky knits, furs, wicker, and wood). Situated on Lake Union, it’s just a quick ride to downtown.
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Ziggy Stardust, Queens, New York
From $900 per night; airbnb.com
Owned by celebrity chef, TV personality, and rental expert Ben Sargent, this quirky surf shack is anchored in the Jamaica Bay area of Rockaway Beach—just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic surf break and the bustle of New York City. The three-level, royal blue houseboat comes equipped with surfboards, a hammock, and roof deck for savoring the city sunsets.
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The Salty Seahorse, Key Largo, Florida
From $130 per night; airbnb.com
Sleep in seclusion in this barrel cabin anchored out in the Gulf of Mexico, where wild birds and manatees are frequent guests. The unique stay is for adventurers, according to the listing, but still boasts little luxuries like an outdoor shower, TV, gas grill and a fully outfitted tiki bar (swoon!).
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Flamingo House, Portland, Oregon
From $115 per night; airbnb.com
A cute exterior palette coupled with an even cuter name? Sign us up! The Flamingo House is a newly remodeled escape perfectly situated just minutes from downtown Portland. Inside, vaulted A-frame ceilings make the living areas feel spacious and the lofted bedroom cozy.
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Brasil, Providence, Rhode Island
From $125 per night; airbnb.com
Forego the hotel and opt for a floating getaway in Rhode Island’s capital city. This 61-foot yacht—part of a fleet of four houseboat rentals in the area—is perfect for families or groups of friends, with two bedrooms, two baths, a full kitchen, and plenty of deck space for sipping on happy hour cocktails before heading out on the town. (Alternatively, you can stay right within the marina, which is home to three lively restaurants and bars.)
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Historic Tugboat Sally S, Seattle
From $215 per night; airbnb.com
Seattle may be a mecca for waterbound living, but there’s no houseboat that’s quite like this one. Sally S is a 75-foot tugboat built in 1927 that’s been converted into a modern-day escape, complete with luxuries like a spacious walk-in shower and king-size bed. But the renovated tug maintains much of its maritime character, with nautical details like porthole windows, cage lights, and an authentic ship’s wheel still in tact.
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Pierdase, San Diego, California
From $177 per night; airbnb.com
Enjoy skyline views of this SoCal surfer’s paradise aboard a 36-foot boat anchored in San Diego Harbor. The cozy vessel, decorated with images of vintage surf scenes, is a stone’s throw from all the urban—or beach!—fun you’ll crave (and two beach cruisers included with your stay will make getting around town a breeze).
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Roshika, Nantucket Island
From $325 per night; airbnb.com
The quintessential Nantucket maritime experience starts with a stay aboard this classic 1953 yacht complete with a navy hull and lots of varnished mahogany. The two-sleeper sits in Nantucket Harbor close to downtown, so guests can get their fill of restaurants and boutique window shopping before retreating back to the boat deck for the picture-perfect island sunsets.
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Pirate’s Life, Charleston, South Carolina
From $182 per night; airbnb.com
Think you can’t take decorating inspiration from a houseboat? Allow this Charleston charmer to change your mind. From the white beadboard walls and vaulted plank ceiling to the pops of coral and turquoise, this tiny houseboat is a dream to both look at and sleep in.
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Salty Dog, Brick Township, New Jersey
From $35 per night; airbnb.com
The ultimate low-key Jersey Shore getaway, this houseboat anchored in a peaceful bay combines quiet seclusion with loads of summer fun, with local events (including weekly fireworks and concerts) happening just nearby and the bustling Point Pleasant Beach just a quick ride away.
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Floating Home With a View, Sausalito, California
From $183 per night; homeaway.com
There’s no such thing as “roughin’ it” in this chic robin’s egg blue houseboat just north of San Francisco. The 1,000-square-foot getaway features a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances, two full baths, a gas fireplace, WiFi, and floor-to-ceiling windows for taking in breathtaking views of Mt. Tamalpais.
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By Marisa Spyker Marisa Spyker