5 Wildly Unique Places to Stay in BC, Canada

I’ll admit it, I have a bit of a thing for unique places to stay. Give me a treehouse, a dome tucked into the mountains, or a historic inn with a story to tell, and I’m in. British Columbia is especially good at this kind of magic, offering accommodations that feel as adventurous and inspiring as the landscapes around them. Make sure you look at all five; some will surprise you!

Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip, a romantic escape, or a spontaneous “why not?” getaway, these wildly unique places to stay in BC prove that your accommodation doesn’t have to be an afterthought. Sometimes, it’s the highlight of the entire trip.

And that’s exactly how I felt the first time I arrived at Charmed Resorts. Even though this stay is just over the BC border, it fits this list perfectly, because some places are simply too magical not to include. This wasn’t just a place to sleep for the night, it felt like stepping into a storybook, where the accommodation itself set the tone for the entire experience.

I’ve been keeping a bucket list of unique places to stay in BC for a few years, and this seems like the perfect time to do some staycation exploring. Each accommodation on my list is located in different parts of BC, with a wide variety of outdoor activities nearby. I started with five, but my list has grown substantially as readers let me know new places they’ve stayed! I’ve also included the first one on my list as it’s literally on the border of British Columbia and Alberta.

Charmed Resorts

Crowsnest Pass: Blairmore, Alberta… yes, I know it’s Alberta… but it’s right on the border. 😉
(Note, you’ll receive the exact address after you book your stay)

PROMO: Use my code “sherri10” for 10% off your booking between now and June 1, 2026.

Perched among the trees in the Crowsnest Pass, Charmed Resorts was every bit as whimsical as its name suggests. From the moment I walked through the door of Tinkerbell’s Treehouse, I knew this stay was going to be special. I felt like a little girl again! Think cozy wood interiors, thoughtful fairytale details, and that unmistakable feeling of being tucked away in nature, yet completely comfortable.

This is the ultimate glamping experience, including for solo travellers! No need to bring children with you, lol, but I’m sure they’d love it! Let them choose their adventure from 16 unique cottages! Tinkerbell’s Treehouse, Hook’s Pirate Ship, Gingerbread Cottage, Rapunzel’s Cottage, and Elvyn’s Cottage, just to name a few.

Charmed Resorts is known for its imaginative accommodations, and Tinkerbell’s Treehouse, where I stayed, has a charm all its own. It’s playful without feeling kitschy, cozy without feeling cramped, and perfectly suited for travellers who love places with personality, creativity, and heart. Please note this is a glamping experience, so you will need to pack all your cooking supplies, food, spices, dish soap, dish towels, shampoo/conditioner, and other toiletries.

I decided to make skillet pizza from scratch, and it was quite the adventure. Spoiler alert… I had to make a “redemption pizza” when I got home because I failed at cooking the crust properly in my small 7″ skillet. I made the sauce from scratch, and it was exceptional, but the crust I overworked it.

Charmed Resorts is perfect for: families, couples, solo travellers, creatives, and anyone who secretly (or not so secretly) loves a little fairytale magic in their travels
Why it’s unique: a real-life fairytale experience
PROMO: Use my code sherri10 for 10% off your booking between now and June 1, 2026.

Adventure Domes

New Denver, BC

These unique cottages remind me of something straight out of “Lord of the Rings”. The four dome cottages are located on a beautiful property in the midst of mountain ranges.

Nestled in the Selkirk Mountains near the shores of Slocan Lake, Adventure Domes feels like discovering a hidden world. These handcrafted geodesic domes are tucked into nature, offering just enough comfort to feel cozy, while still keeping you deeply connected to your surroundings.

I haven’t stayed here yet, but plan to!

What draws me most to Adventure Domes is how effortlessly they blend creativity with nature. The space feels thoughtful and intentional, without being overdone. It’s the kind of place that attracts travellers who appreciate simple comforts, beautiful landscapes, and accommodations that feel a little bit magical without trying too hard.

There are many hiking trails around New Denver, check them out on AllTrails.

Perfect for: couples, solo travellers, creatives, and anyone craving a slower pace
Why it’s unique: a geodesic dome stay surrounded by mountains, forests, and silence
Book HERE (you’ll be given the exact address after you book).

Bed and Breakfast in Historic Barkerville

Barkerville, BC

Spending the night in Historic Barkerville is unlike staying anywhere else in British Columbia. This restored gold rush town isn’t just something you visit during the day, it’s a place you can truly experience once the crowds have gone and the boardwalks grow quiet.

The historic bed and breakfasts here, including beautifully restored buildings like the King House and the Kelly House, are filled with antique details, period furnishings, and a sense of story you can’t replicate. There’s something incredibly special about falling asleep in a building that has stood for more than a century, knowing you’re surrounded by layers of history. You can also stay at a number of locations in Wells, BC, just a few miles/kilometres from Barkerville.

Waking up in Barkerville feels a little surreal, and for a moment, it feels as though time has paused. It’s perfect for travellers who love immersive experiences. For an in-depth look at Barkerville, you can read my article “Historic Barkerville Heritage Town and Living-History Museum”.

Perfect for: history lovers, couples, and travellers who enjoy slower, more immersive stays
Why it’s unique: an overnight stay in a fully restored gold rush town
Book King House and Kelly House HERE

Free Spirit Spheres

Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC

Staying at Free Spirit Spheres is as close as you can get to sleeping in a dream. These handcrafted spherical treehouses are gently suspended off the forest floor, tucked into a lush Vancouver Island rainforest, and designed to help you completely unplug.

From the moment you climb the spiral staircase and step inside, everything feels calm and intentional. The gentle sway of the sphere, the filtered forest light, and the quiet all work together to slow you down. There’s no television, no distractions, just the soothing sounds of nature and the feeling of being held by the trees.

I dropped in to take photos and found it so peaceful, grounding, and surprisingly cozy… a reminder that luxury doesn’t always mean excess, sometimes it simply means space to breathe.

Perfect for: couples, solo travellers, and anyone craving true disconnection
Why it’s unique: a suspended spherical treehouse designed for mindful, off-grid stays
Book HERE

Camping in the Woods

Golden, BC
(Note, you’ll receive the exact address after you book your stay)

Staying at Camping in the Woods is a little like stepping into a perfectly curated VW enthusiast’s dream. Instead of traditional tents or cabins, I slept in a classic Volkswagen van, thoughtfully set up for a cozy and memorable night in the forest.

There’s something undeniably charming about this kind of stay. The vans are compact but comfortable, surrounded by towering trees and mountain air, and designed for travellers who love simplicity with a touch of personality. Evenings here are about slowing down, unplugging with no cell service, sharing stories, and enjoying that unmistakable feeling of freedom that comes with life on four wheels, even when you’re staying put. Host Jeremiah also sets up for an outdoor movie night. Unfortunately, the night I stayed there, it was pouring rain, so movie night was cancelled. The sound of rain on my van’s roof was soothing and helped me get a good night’s sleep!

Waking up in a vintage VW van, with the Rockies just beyond your door, feels both nostalgic and grounding. It’s playful without being gimmicky, and outdoorsy without feeling intimidating. For anyone who’s ever romanticized van life, this is a chance to experience it in a relaxed, approachable, and wonderfully unique way.

Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre is nearby, which I had to check out before leaving the area. Definitely worth the visit!

Perfect for: couples, families, road-trippers, VW lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts
Why it’s unique: elevated camping surrounded by mountain scenery in the heart of the Rockies
Book HERE on their website. Each van has it’s own AirBnB listing.

What I love most about these wildly unique places to stay is that none of them feel interchangeable. Each one offers a completely different way to experience the landscape, whether that’s sleeping high in the trees, tucked into a glowing dome, wandering through a living piece of history, gently swaying in a forest sphere, or waking up in a vintage VW van with the mountains just outside your door.

These stays remind me that travel isn’t always about ticking off attractions or filling every moment with plans. Sometimes it’s about choosing a place that invites you to slow down, look around, and feel more connected, to nature, to history, and to yourself. The right accommodation can shape the entire rhythm of a trip, turning simple moments into lasting memories.

If you’re dreaming up your next getaway and craving something a little different, let this be your sign to try a stay with personality. Choose the treehouse. Book the dome. Say yes to the place that makes you smile before you even arrive. Those are often the experiences you’ll remember long after the bags are unpacked and the journey home is complete.