eviivo Awards 2019
Quirkiest Place To Stay Award
2019 Winners
Hobbit House
Robertsbridge, East Sussex
About the Property
Nestled into a bank in the heart of the Rother Valley, in the midst of a vineyard, this hobbit house is surprisingly spacious. It is spread over 75 square metres, with vaulted ceilings and luxuriously appointed facilities built by local craftsmen. Guests can relax outside in their own private garden or sit in the jet bathtub under the boughs of an oak tree and gaze at the stars.
The Judges Said
“This magical property is decidedly the quirkiest of the bunch, with a theme related to an iconic story – yet it functions well as a cosy retreat for all the family.
Guests marvel at the attention to detail at this whimsically designed property – raving in the reviews about the ‘hand forged keys’ and the attractiveness of the place.
The judges especially liked the use of local wood throughout, the execution of the theme, and the plethora of activities for guests to enjoy.”
Shortlisted Properties
Number 18
Conwy, Conwy
The owners of this establishment dared to do something away from the norm and luckily for its guests it has paid off. Found in the shadow of Conwy Castle, this boutique B&B boasts bespoke hand-picked furnishings with individually-themed rooms, such as the ‘Key Room’ and the 70s bedroom. It’s nothing like the standard B&B experience.
Copse Camp
Llandegla, Denbighshire
A wonderfully rustic spot with its own homespun style. The treehouse is wallpapered in Beano magazines, with hessian coffee sacks repurposed for cushions and blinds – but don’t worry, guests will find only the finest crisp bed linen and fluffy towels inside. Guests can also use the gypsy caravan, which doubles as a dining room and second bedroom.
St. Michael's Restaurant With Rooms
Painswick, Gloucestershire
St. Michaels is a Cotswolds getaway that is something rather special. Boasting luxurious boutique design and sumptuous décor, all rooms are individually themed with lovingly curated furnishings. Guests can choose from ‘The Retro Suite’, ‘The Bohemian Suite’, ‘Rococo Room’, ‘Art Deco Room’, and ‘Indian Room’ – any of which will blow guests’ socks off.
Highland Bear Lodge
Drumnadrochit, Invernessshire
Set among 14 acres of waterfalls and woodland, this Scottish lodge is set right in the heart of the Highlands. The Lodge is styled like a baronial shooting lodge and is perfect for guests who like an adrenaline rush. From moonlight tours of the surrounding landscape, to paragliding and skiing – there’s plenty to do that you can’t do anywhere else.
The Grotto
South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Built into coastal cliffs overlooking the North Sea, this restaurant with rooms is the first of its kind in the UK. It is famous in the North East for the stunning views, cave rooms and lift shaft built into the cliff and for its quirky history. In 1782, local man ‘Jack the Blaster’ used dynamite to blast through the cliff to create a home, and today it makes a unique place to stay.
Houseboat Hotels
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Two wide-beam canal boats, based in the historic area of Victoria Quays in the centre of Sheffield on the Sheffield and Tinsley canal, provide a truly unique experience for guests. The fully equipped, static houseboats give guests the opportunity of staying on a floating apartment, with all the facilities from home, in a location like no other.
The Enchantment Chamber
York, North Yorkshire
Guests can fully immerse themselves in the wizarding world at this apartment without needing to catch the Hogwarts Express. The owners went to great lengths to source original pieces of decor and furniture that gives the rooms a magical feel, such as the quirky bespoke four poster bed with a night sky mural and fibre optic lights that give the apartment a twinkly starlight effect.
Cheshire Boutique Barns
Nantwich, Cheshire
Quirky is the middle name of this place! This owner really wanted to create something that made guests smile – a sort of ‘hug of a holiday home’ that was luxurious but at the same time wouldn’t break the bank. Thus, these boutique barns came to be, full to the brim with character and individual touches that lift peoples’ spirits and feed the imagination.
Renville Oast
Canterbury, Kent
This Grade II listed Kentish triple oast house is something you won’t see in other parts of the country. Oast houses were working buildings only found in Kent, used for the drying and storing of hops, but this one now offers unique accommodation. For more than 150 years, it’s kept alive an iconic Kentish tradition; nowadays giving guests a glimpse of an almost forgotten past.
The Quirkiest Place To Stay Award recognises the unique and individual character of owners, their properties and the experiences they offer. The winner of this award will offer a truly quirky experience for guests – think unusual buildings, conversions, themed interiors, or hands-on experiences. Whatever makes the winner of this award unique, whether it’s the host, the building or anything in between, it’ll be a Spectre-cle that ensures that guests leave with plenty of tales to tell to friends and family for a long time to come.
Quirkiest Place To Stay Award judging criteria
- Judges will look at the type, extent and impact of the extra/s, and their effect of enhancing guests’ stays.
- The extra/s will make the property stand out from the rest.
- We would like to know the inspiration behind the additional extra/s.
- The additional extra/s may be a main reason why guests choose to stay at the property.
Meet the expert helping judge this category
Zoë Dawes
The Quirky Traveller Blogger and Business Coach