Homo Away From Home: The Best AirBnbs on the East Coast (as ranked by ME)
When the pandemic hit in 2020 and my job transitioned to WFH, I wanted to try out the “digital nomad” life but I wanted to do it my way. No yurts in Tulum for me: I wanted cozy, chic, comfortable HOMES available for a month-long stay. I love our apartment in Union Square (did you see my Homeworthy home tour?) but I also love getting away from it.
Growing up, my parents always told me that if you have nothing nice to say about a person/place/object to be polite and call it “interesting.” And let me tell you: there are a lot of INTERESTING properties available on Airbnb (think: houses with mirrored, carpeted bathrooms with a sunken jacuzzi in the middle).
Thankfully, you’ve got me to pore through the listings for you! Below are three of the best places I’ve stayed; they all get the Extra Extra seal of approval.
Salisbury, CT - visited April 2021
I’m actually writing this post from the dining room table at this charming home. When I saw the photos in the listing I SCREECHED to my husband that I. HAD. TO. STAY. HERE. Sure, the location in Litchfield County is actual perfection for my preppy, Volvo-loving self. But the decor!! I did a little digging and the owner Mika Frechette from Stoneledge Farm & Home is actually a decorator so, like, no wonder the place looks like it belongs in Elle Decor. Check out Mika’s site and follow her on Instagram for fabulous Vermont/CT/NYC design and lifestyle content.
Things I like at this property:
Decor, decor, decor. I was only here for a few days when I called Mika (who is super chic herself!) to see how I could: A. buy the pieces in the house B. buy the house. The good news is EVERYTHING IS ACTUALLY FOR SALE!!!!!! Well, not the house. But that’s out of my budget anyway.
Location. The perfect mix of rural and refined. You’re in the country but can walk across the street to the iconic White Hart Inn for a meal, or walk downtown to get a coffee. Best of both worlds.
The light. I know, this is a weird one. But the light in this house is…magical. Every room is light, bright, comfortable, chic. Honestly, it’s an Instagrammer’s heaven. Or like anyone’s heaven, really.
Bethel, ME - visited April 2020
This is an actual log cabin on an actual dirt road in actual Maine. You can’t see a single neighbor. My husband and I spent our nights in the hot tub (!!) watching the stars (!!!). For two dudes who live in NYC this was…magic. Speaking of two dudes - this house is owned and run by an LGBT+ couple and we felt very comfortable staying here (as we did at each property).
Warwick, RI - visited June 2020
Despite growing up in nearby Massachusetts, this was my first time spending any significant time in Rhode Island. And, guess what? I loved it. It was all about the view at this cute little beach house. Located in a family neighborhood, the front porch, living room, and master bedroom all had direct - and stunning - water views. I spent a month working on the comfortable furniture on the porch, snaking my laptop’s power cord through the window into the house. When I wasn’t working I walked the 2 minutes to Rocky Point State Park and jumped in the ocean.
What are your best Airbnb experiences? Do you have any cautionary tales? Are you obsessed with Mika’s taste as I am? LMK!
