Yahoo News I spent 2 nights in an overgrown tiny house in Panama's rainforest for $300. Take a look inside.
Bambuda Castle in Boquete, Panama, is home to towers, moats, and "Hobbit"-inspired tiny homes.
I spent two nights in one of the property's overgrown tiny homes.
It was an unusual and whimsical stay worth the $150-a-night price tag.
Finding a castle in Boquete, Panama, is easy.
There's only one, and everyone seems to know about it. Ask any stranger on the street to point you in its direction, and they'll send you up a steep road to Bambuda Castle.
It's an odd structure to find in the middle of Panama's rainforest, and while it was once a private home, it's now a hotel.
While castles usually ooze luxury and extravagance, Bambuda is one of the town's more affordable hotels.
Everyone I spoke to during my two days in Boquete knew exactly where I was staying when I mentioned the castle. In a town filled with one-story bungalows, a castle stands out. The locals told me that it was once a private residence but was sold and transformed into a budget hotel in the last decade.
Two Canadians, Tom Oman and Dan Adelman, started the hotel and the hostel brand Bambuda in 2014 when they opened their first property in Bocas Del Toro. A few years later, they purchased the castle in Boquete.
As they expanded across Panama, the pair targeted budget travelers. Bambuda Castle offers a range of accommodations, with shared rooms costing $20 a night for a bed. On the more expensive end, visitors can rent an entire cabin for $120 a night.
I wasn't there for a room overlooking the castle's moat. Instead, I had booked two nights in one of the property's "Hobbit"-inspired tiny homes.
Bambuda isn't just known for its castle. Four tiny homes on its property feel straight from a "Lord of the Rings" novel.
Each tiny home can accommodate two guests. A few weeks before arriving in Boquete, I reserved a "Hobbit house" for two nights. After taxes and fees, the tiny house cost me $155 a night.
On arrival day, I found the reception desk at the front of the castle, checked in, and received a key to my tiny home.
The staff excitedly welcomed me to Bambuda and Boquete.
Beyond accommodations, the property works with tour operators to help coordinate activities for guests. I didn't have enough time to join a tour, but I eyed a booklet highlighting various activities, from coffee tasting to whitewater rafting.
A short trail led to my tiny home for the evening.
Once check-in was completed, the receptionist pointed out the short trail to my tiny home for the next two nights.
As I dragged my suitcase along the paved path, I admired the lush green grass, blossoming flowers, and towering palm trees.
The tiny homes themselves were impressive from the exterior. The entire structure was coated in thick, soft grass. I figured the room's bed would be comfortable, but the grass looked equally enticing for a nap.
It was like I had been transported to Hobbiton, the fictional setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" series.
Outside the structure was a small patio overlooking the Baru volcano and lush coffee plantations.
Perhaps even more impressive than the grass structures was the view. My tiny home's small patio had space for two chairs and a table.
From the patio, I saw nothing but green. Lush mountains reached to sky, and fields of coffee plants could be spotted in nearly every direction.
Inside, the design was simple.
After taking in the view, I pulled open a sliding door and stepped inside the tiny house.
One large room had enough space for a queen-size bed, two small nightstands, some storage space, and a small table.
The interior was clean and simple. A queen-size bed took up most of the room.
Two wooden nightstands hugged the sides of the bed. There was a shelving unit for storage near the entrance and a small high-top table near another curved wall.
A small door led to a rock-wall bathroom.
The room's wooden accents, stone walls, and metal details felt rustic and reminiscent of Hobbiton.
Along the back wall, a large wooden door led to the bathroom.
The domed bathroom had space for a sink, toilet, and shower.
The rustic and wooden themes continued into the bathroom, where I discovered a stone shower and a large wooden vanity.
The house had everything I needed for a two-night stay: privacy, comfort, and stunning views.
With fresh towels, clean sheets, and a stunning view, I was all set for my short stay in Boquete.
That afternoon, I explored the rest of the property.
After settling in, I ventured out of my tiny home to explore the rest of the property.
On the other side of the castle was a row of yellow cabins.
These cabins seemed more spacious than the Hobbit homes, and each cabin had a larger, shaded terrace.
They're a bit more affordable at $90 a night.
The castle was surrounded by a moat filled with koi fish.
Koi fish and lily pads filled a shallow moat surrounding Bambuda Castle.
Inside, I found a restaurant with communal seating and a large balcony.
Bambuda Castle had two large shared rooms. The first was home to the property's restaurant and bar, which served burgers, sandwiches, and more.
Regardless of whether you were purchasing food, guests were welcome to use the area's seating, pick out a board game to play, or head upstairs to a TV room.
The downstairs had a pool, jacuzzi, and communal kitchen.
The second communal area was downstairs. It included a large pool, a small jacuzzi, and a communal kitchen for guests who would rather cook than eat out.
Once I explored the property, I was ready to return to my tiny home and soak in the views.
While the castle and cabins were stunning, the views from my Hobbit house were the highlight of my two-night stay.
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