I slept in a lifeguard tower overlooking the Florida Everglades and was surprised it only cost $100 on Airbnb
I recently spent a night in a funky lifeguard tower I found on Airbnb, and it was a glamper's dream.
For $100 a night, I got a small room with a comfy bed and sweeping views of the Florida Everglades.
I hadn't thought to book unique glamping trips on Airbnb before, but it was so fun, I'd do it again.
For $100, I stayed in a unique lifeguard tower I found on Airbnb, where I got a comfy bed, stunning views of the Florida Everglades and Manatee Bay, and easy access to nature.
Source: Airbnb
There are certainly more glamorous and expensive ways to go glamping — you could pay several hundred dollars for luxury glamping accommodations, Insider reports.
Source: Insider
Glamping offers an ideal compromise for those who want to camp without actually sleeping on the ground, Insider reports.
Source: Insider
But I never previously thought that Airbnb would be a great way to find such a unique, budget-friendly glamping experience. Now that I know, I plan to do it again.
On my way to the tower located at South Miami-Dade Marina, my host texted me to bring bottled water because the water on-site is suitable for showering, but not drinking.
My lifeguard tower was one of three available to rent inside a marina, all of which were originally used on South Beach in Miami. The towers were relocated next to a dock that I thought felt secluded and secure, behind a locking gate.
Source: Airbnb
The location made me feel the sweet isolation of camping without having to fear for my safety as a solo traveler. Plus, I was able to sleep next to manatees, according to a sign posted near a boat ramp.
As part of my stay, I had access to a shared bathroom in a small, yellow building near the front of the property. I only ran into one other guest when I arrived and was otherwise greeted by cats and chickens that freely roamed the property.
A few yards away, my host directed me to my lifeguard tower — a red, white, and blue one.
There was another tower to rent next to it. It was painted in vibrant hues and the turquoise and yellow kept catching my eye.
After taking a walk around my starred and striped tower, I thought it looked like a pretty cool place to hang out.
I sat up on the porch overlooking the dock, the boats, and the Florida Everglades and felt so peaceful that I forgot I was just yards away from a highway.
Inside, the tower seemed to me to be about 100 square feet with all the basics I needed including a bed, air conditioning, towels, and simple decor.
I was grateful for two sets of outlets next to the queen-size bed, which I thought was firm with a slight give. One of the outlets had two USB ports as well. I was able to charge all of my devices at the same time, which is a luxury when camping.
On the ceiling, stringed lights were my only source of light in the tower. I thought it might bother me at night, but instead, I felt it just added to a cozy glamping vibe.
My tower came with wide windows on three sides, which made me feel like I was sleeping outside, but with the comforts of the indoors.
When I wanted privacy, I could push wooden shutters up over the windows and pull them back down again.
My host warned me that the bugs came out at dusk and dawn and advised that I only go outside during those times with covered legs. I decided to skip the bug bites and stay inside.
I thought I had the perfect view of the sun setting indoors anyway. The windows were high, so I sat on a stool —the only chair in the room — and took it all in.
The high stool felt like an intentional choice, and I appreciated it, especially since it was my favorite color, orange.
When the sun set, I ran into some cats on my way to the bathroom, where I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. Since I felt like I was camping, I thought it was a nice bonus to have somewhere to get cleaned up.
There was a full moon that night, and I could see it lighting up the clouds from my bed. I thought that on a clearer night, I'd probably be able to see some stars, and maybe even some animals.
I could see the sun rise and set from all angles thanks to the windows that wrapped around the tower. It was my favorite part of the whole experience.
I thought the bed was comfortable, and I woke up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day.
On my way out, I noticed a kayak, which I had access to during my stay, but unfortunately didn't have time to use.
As I locked up and headed off to my next adventure, I was surprised at how much more relaxed I felt after just 15 hours in this Airbnb. I can't wait to glamp on Airbnb again.
Read the original article on Insider