Unusual stays: the guide to choosing the right accommodation

Treehouse, transparent bubble, wooden caravan or tonneau pod: the term “unusual stay” covers very different experiences. Here is what sets each option apart and how to choose yours.

In brief

• An unusual stay is any accommodation that falls outside the classic frame (hotel room, standard mobile home).
• The most common options at campsites are the treehouse, the bubble, the wooden caravan and the tonneau pod.
• Comfort varies greatly from one accommodation to another: private or shared toilets and showers, heating or not.
• The natural setting of the campsite often matters more than the accommodation itself in the memory of a stay.
• Booking several weeks ahead is still necessary for the most popular options, especially at weekends.

The main types of unusual stays at campsites

The treehouse remains the most iconic option: nestled among the trees, it gives a real sense of height, with access by staircase or walkway. The bubble is all about transparency, letting you sleep under the stars while staying sheltered, an experience particularly sought after outside full-moon periods. The wooden caravan and the tonneau pod, on one level, suit a wider audience, including families with young children. Finally, the safari tent lodge offers the most space, sometimes with a fully integrated bathroom.

Quick comparison

What really makes a good unusual stay

Beyond the type of accommodation, a few concrete criteria make the difference on site. Toilets and showers may be private (inside or next to the accommodation) or shared across the campsite: check this before booking if comfort matters more to you than adventure. Heating or air conditioning is not systematic, especially in lighter options such as the bubble: confirm it according to the season you choose.

The setting of the campsite often weighs as much as the accommodation in the memory left by a stay: forest, riverbank or proximity to a lake completely changes the atmosphere of one and the same type of accommodation.

When to book your unusual stay

Treehouses and bubbles, which are limited in number at each campsite (often only one to three units), should be booked 4 to 8 weeks ahead for a weekend in high season, compared with 2 to 3 weeks for a wooden caravan, which is more common in the accommodation stock. School holidays and bridge days (May, All Saints’ Day, Christmas) tighten these timescales further.

How to choose the right unusual stay

The choice depends first on who is travelling: a treehouse with a staircase calls for caution with very young children, whereas a ground-level wooden caravan suits every age. The budget also varies greatly from one option to another and depending on the season, with higher prices in high season and by the sea. Comparing several listings before booking remains the best way to find the accommodation that suits your profile.

Our opinion

The transparent bubble remains the most photogenic accommodation, but also the most dependent on the weather and on light pollution nearby: a clear sky far from any town makes all the difference between a memorable night and a disappointing one. Checking the immediate surroundings of the campsite matters as much as choosing the accommodation itself.

To go further, our complete guide to treehouse, bubble and safari tent details each option, and our article on the budget for a stay at an unusual campsite gives price benchmarks. On Camping Insolite, each establishment listing specifies the type of accommodation, capacity and facilities available.