Put on your detective hat during your next vacation. There are plenty of unique places to stay, from treehouses to yurts, but some vacation rentals have a more offbeat amenity: secret rooms and hidden passages. We sleuthed out several places in the U.S. and around the world that will let you indulge your inner gumshoe.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: 25 Coolest Tiny Home Rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo
Williamswood Castle
Knoxville, Tennessee Book It
Tennessee might be the last place you expect to find a medieval castle, but here you go. It sleeps up to six and includes a secret staircase hidden behind a moving bookshelf. If that’s not cool enough, you’ll have your own pub, and the master bedroom ceiling is painted like the Sistine Chapel’s. Outside, there’s a multi-level deck with river views, and acres of forest courtesy of a neighboring nature preserve.
Hilltop Gothic Castle
Rindge, New Hampshire Book It
Bring up to 22 people and make this 11,000-square-foot castle on 500 acres your own kingdom. Find the hidden passages that lead to the rooftop spires, enjoy the basement bar and game room, take a boat out on the private lake, or huddle around the fire pit on a chilly evening. Guests can enjoy miles of trails and even a disc golf course without leaving the property.
Saved by the ’90s Bungalow
Dallas Book It
As if a ’90s-themed bungalow isn’t cool enough, this one has a secret room that you’ll just have to see for yourself, according to the owner. Other highlights include a dining room that looks like it’s straight out of “Saved by the Bell,” and a vintage McDonald’s PlayPlace Hamburglar climber in the backyard. If you’re more of an ’80s soul, check out The McFly downstairs.
Château de Farcheville
Bouville, France Book It
Sign us up for this dream rental: A French castle that has 22 bedrooms, 34 bathrooms, and plenty of “concealed doorways, hidden passages and secret rooms.” Adding to the intrigue: Medieval prison cells near the underground wine cellar. The grounds include a huge cobblestone courtyard, a moat (of course), a gorgeous indoor pool, and a cinema room. It also comes with a princely price tag.
Related: 50 Incredible Castles Around the World
English Cottage Room
Puyallup, Washington Book It
This quaint upstairs cottage room for two includes a whimsical cobblestone wall with a faux tree. Look closer, though, and you’ll find a little green door in the tree that leads to an adorable hideaway perfect for the young at heart — or anyone who wants to curl up with a good book. Other perks include a private patio and quick access to Tacoma and Seattle.
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Lighthouse Hill Ranch
Johnson City, Texas Book It
Talk about unexpected: An 86-foot stone lighthouse that sleeps up to 15 smack in the middle of Texas’ Hill Country. Even more unexpected: A secret room ideal for kids to sleep or play in (but they’ll have to figure out how to get inside, first). Don’t miss the sweeping views from the fourth-floor observatory, or splash in the negative-edge pool with a slide.
Related: 20 Mansions You Can Actually Afford to Rent
Villa Vals
Vals, Switzerland Book It
The builders of this contemporary Alpine home for up to 10 guests decided to bury it in the ground to keep views of the dramatic surrounding scenery as undisturbed as possible. To enter, you’ll have to descend into a hidden tunnel inside an old barn nearby. Outside, you’ll be steps from the famous Therme Vals, a hotel and spa complex where you can bathe in waters from mountain hot springs.
Ski House With Secret Rec Room
Massanuten, Virginia Book It
It looks like a pretty normal house in the woods, but this Virginia rental that sleeps up to eight is close to skiing and Shenandoah National Park, making it an ideal getaway no matter the weather. Even better, you’ll find a secret 1,000-square-foot den behind a bookcase that you (or the kids) won’t want to leave. It has a full bar, two plush leather couches, an electric fireplace, board games, DVDs, and two video-game consoles.
Related: 20 Best Winter Airbnbs in America
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Secret Game Room at the Beach
Newport, Oregon Book It
The gorgeous Oregon coast will be just steps from your door in this luxury beach house for eight, but you might not care. Inside, you’ll have a spa, chef’s kitchen, and lighthouse views, plus access to a secret game room with a 100-inch screen and projector, wet bar, game table, darts, poker, and vintage radio. It’s well hidden — some guests haven’t even found it during their stay, the owners report.
Related: 25 Most Expensive Beachfront Properties
Enchanted Manor Oasis
Los Angeles Book It
This darling stone home tucked away in Los Angeles sleeps up to six — that is, as long as you utilize a secret attic room that’s hidden away behind an unassuming bookcase. You’ll want to bring your kids, because there’s a tree house, gorgeous outdoor pool and grotto, and an eye-popping playhouse that’s a replica of the main house, complete with its own TV, DVD player, and miniature fireplace.
Related: Amazing Family Vacation Rentals That Are Tricked Out for Kids
The Jade House
Dominical, Costa Rica Book It
As if the ocean views, wrap-around balconies, three swimming pools, and swim-up bar aren’t enough, this luxurious rainforest villa also has a kids’ hideaway that’s only accessible through a secret entrance in the wall. It sleeps up to 16, and you’ll need your rest: Nearby activities include waterfall rappelling, surfing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, yoga, and ATV tours.
Related: 20 Most Luxurious Airbnbs Around the World
The Whitman on Forsyth Park
Savannah, Georgia Book It
If you can tear your eyes away from the gracious Savannah streets and Forsyth Park’s moss-draped oaks, you can join the search for a secret bedroom hidden away in this meticulous Queen Anne (hint: try playing some pool). The home has room for up to 16 and features abundant porches and balconies, a media room with an 80-inch projection screen, and a private courtyard.
Magic Villa at Reunion
Orlando, Florida Book It
Try these words on any kid reluctant to go on another family vacation: “Secret loft with an Xbox and talking portraits.” They can get there via a tucked away spiral staircase, or through hidden doors in their own “Harry Potter” and princess-themed bedrooms. Of course, there are plenty of other rooms to explore in this sparkling new home for up to 26, including a pool with a lazy river and water cannon, a movie room, and a game room – all 6 miles from Disney World.
Kid-Friendly Country Home
Chimacum, Washington Book It
Full of tunnels, playrooms, and secret rooms, this family-friendly retreat for up to 25 people in western Washington bills itself as a place “where kids entertain themselves.” There’s even a slide leading down to a play space full of ride-on toys. Grown-ups can relax on the large deck or around the fire pit. The home also isn’t far from Olympic National Park.
Tidal Treasure
Dufferin, New Brunswick, Canada Book It
What could be better than a beautiful bed and breakfast in scenic New Brunswick? Perhaps if you find out your room for four is actually two rooms, with one of them hidden away behind a swinging bookcase. Don’t hide away for too long: The inn is on 14 acres near the rugged Atlantic coast, plus it has an indoor pool and spa.
Escape for Big Families
St. George, Utah Book It
Aside from having the largest couches we’ve ever seen, this massive Utah rental for up to 38 people (yes, 38) has another unique feature: a secret hideaway accessible through the back of a closet (we won’t tell you which one). Kids will go bananas over the game room with air hockey, ping pong, and plenty of games and puzzles, and adults can stay buff in the home gym or play a game of pool. Outside, there’s a hot tub, heated pool, sand box, trampoline, and room for lawn games.
Stallion Lake Ranch Home
Lindale, Texas Book It
Everything is bigger in Texas, including this sleek five-bedroom home for up to 25 guests about 90 minutes east of Dallas. Sure, there’s a game room with a pool table, air hockey, bunk beds, and a flat-screen TV, but you’ll have to find it first (we recommend poking around the office bookshelf). Head outside to roast s’mores over the fire and enjoy the quiet — you’ll be surrounded by 1,000 acres of countryside.
Related: 15 Best Dude Ranches for Escaping the Crowds
Secret Passage Guest House
Albuquerque, New Mexico Book It
This “urban ranch” guest house for four features easy access to downtown Albuquerque, an outdoor area with a fire pit and family games like tetherball, and a unique set of climbable bunk beds. The best part, though? It has a secret passage to the bathroom, closet and deck, hidden discreetly behind a wall of shelves.
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Secret Room in the Maritimes
Middle LaHave, Nova Scotia, Canada Book It
You don’t have to blow your budget to enjoy a little intrigue. This adorable and inexpensive riverside Airbnb, inside a home built in 1911, features a secret room with its own tiny staircase that used to be sealed off by a closet. If you’re into the paranormal, all the better, as the owner says you’ll be sharing the room with “the ghost of a nice lady.”
Related: The 20 Most Haunted Hotels in America
Secret Panel Room
Sandwich, Massachusetts Book It
History buffs, take note: You can rent a room for two in this 1699 home on Cape Cod that’s loaded with antiques and art, and it’s only a short walk to the cute shops in downtown Sandwich. Don’t miss the Revolutionary War-era escape tunnel, which opens from a wooden panel by the fireplace and leads into a safe room.
Related: 20 Things You Never Knew About New England
Villa Belle Orlando
Four Corners, Florida Book It
This rental in Florida’s Reunion Resort offers 10,070 square feet of fun for up to 28 people with every amenity you can imagine, from a large outdoor pool and spa to a theater room, game room, and themed bedrooms. But the most amazing feature will wow serious Potterheads. On the third floor, guests will find a hidden entrance to platform 9¾. Swing open the wall to find the Hogwarts Express train, complete with kids’ sleeping quarters and a play area featuring the Whomping Willow and an Aragog bean-bag chair. If you run out of things to do around the house, Disney is just 6 miles down the road.
Renovated Historic Schoolhouse
St. Charles, Missouri Book It
This Missouri rental that sleeps 12 incorporates a one-room schoolhouse. Telltale signs include exposed brick in the master bedroom and a winding staircase hidden away behind a bookshelf that leads to a secret loft bedroom. Better yet, the secret bedroom has its own hidden kids’ play area. There’s plenty to do if you want to explore, too, with St. Louis a short drive away.
Related: 30 Historic Schoolhouses Across America
White Navona Home
Rome, Italy Book It
Up to seven guests can pile into this chic apartment in the heart of Rome. If the private terrace and zen garden aren’t intriguing enough, look for the little stone-carved door that leads into a cellar — it was made inside a secret passage that used to connect the building to a nearby church. There, you can sample sausage and wine.
