The 9 Coolest Airbnbs in Boulder

1. A home built into the mountain

This is so Boulder that it’s built into a boulder. This home is constructed on a cliff atop Mount Sanitas with ridiculous, panoramic canyon views. The home actually has a rock outcrop carved into the interior, so there are rock features from outside incorporated inside. Imagine a massive wall of boulders in the living room and the mountainside forming one wall in the shower. You have to see it to believe it.

2. A “treehouse castle” 

Stay on the top floor of a “treehouse castle” just five minutes from Pearl Street. The space is artistic and eclectic, yet clean and organized.

Features include a double shower in the bathroom, travel amenities, Apple TV and wifi, laundry, a spring water dispenser, fireplace, decks, hot tub, gardens, a stream and private park, easy access to trails and a lake. You can even rent cruiser bikes and camping/hiking gear. One catch: No pets allowed, unless it’s a panda bear.

3. Private mountain spa retreat

This beautiful mountain home has some of the features of your own private spa, including a steam shower and jet tub. After your soak, relax by the fireplace or on the south-facing deck with a view of Boulder.

4. A room with a hammock and arcade

This studio has a private garden, mini fridge and coffee maker. But it also has a hammock and a private arcade.

5. New Urbanism and upscale

This guest house in the quirky, colorful Prospect neighborhood in Longmont promises to be “nicer than any hotel.” Prospect is a cool day trip from Boulder, with its own art gallery, shopping, restaurants and parks. Note: This property is about 25 minutes from Boulder, but the mountain views from certain angles won’t disappoint. Plus, Prospect is a unique community, in and of itself, and claims to be Colorado’s first New Urbanism neighborhood.

6. A private Chautauqua suite

The Chautauqua Park cottages are highly sought-after places to stay and can fill up in the summer. That’s when this guest suite would be ideal. This home offers a suite with a separate entrance with a kitchenette and living space, plus easy access to the beloved Chautauqua green and trails and cozy, outdoor sitting areas.

7. Extreme luxury in a full house

You can also rent out full houses in Boulder, like this luxurious, six-bedroom property near downtown. Guests here can use the hot tub, garden, multiple decks, multiple grills and more.

8. Architectural and earth-friendly

The unusual-looking Barrett House was designed by respected Colorado architect, Charles Haertling, for the artist Clotilde Barrett (hence the name). Now, you can stay in this 3,000-square-foot, mountainside wonderland. Highlights include cork flooring, rugs made out of recycled plastic, mountain views, a cast-iron fireplace, eclectic decorations, skylights, a theater room with an 80-inch screen, a “Mad Men”-inspired bar and its own art installation.

9. Clean, modern, Japanese, ping-pong

This Boulder home for short-term rent is the home of an architect, and you can feel that in the clean, Japanese design. Outside, there are decks, including an oversized rooftop deck. Inside, there’s a game room with a ping-pong table.