In the age of Airbnb, you can stay the night in unique properties all over the world. From a glass tree house in Tuscany to a castle in Scotland, to a converted windmill in Santorini, you can craft a perfectly customized getaway to satisfy your wanderlust.¹

But, if a quaint getaway for two isn’t what you’re searching for, perhaps you’re looking for a more exclusive retreat. Or you simply need a bit more space. Luckily for you, you can rent a country, village or island for your vacation or event. That’s right… the whole thing. Just for you (and any guests lucky enough to make the guest list of course.)

Let’s take a closer look…

Rent a Country

If you want to host an event to impress, nothing will boost your status quite like renting out a country. Can you imagine the RSVP rate you would receive if you listed a country in the “where” field on the invitations — and that’s it?

Liechtenstein is a tiny 62-square-mile country nestled between Austria and Switzerland.² In 2010, the principality of Liechtenstein made the decision to market itself to private clients who may want to rent a country, starting at $70,000 USD per night.³ Renting out the country allows for complete customization. For example, you can design the ultimate business function, wooing potential clients in a venue with a little more clout than Salon B of the local hotel. Or you can tailor things for a more romantic vibe if you’re looking for the ultimate place to tie the knot. Customized street signs, temporary currency, wine tasting with the head of state, tobogganing, fireworks and carriage rides are all within reach (for the right price, of course).

In fact, Snoop Dogg tried to rent Liechtenstein in 2010 for a music video he was filming at the time. Unfortunately, his crew didn’t give the principality enough notice and his request was denied.⁴ If you have similarly lofty goals and want to rent a country, learn from Snoop and plan ahead. Renting and customizing an entire country to your exact specifications takes a little time after all.

Rent a Village

If leasing a country is a bit out of reach, you can set your sights on a village (still pretty swanky but a tad less extravagant). One company makes it easy for you to choose from nine Central European villages at rentavillage.com.

One such village is located at the foot of the Brand glacier. Brand, Austria is a small town of 40 square miles in a valley in the Eastern Alps. This mountain getaway has just 700 inhabitants and can provide guests with up to 700 rooms, ranging from apartments to four-star hotels. The village is also equipped with spaces to accommodate business conferences, making it an excellent option for a corporate retreat.⁵

Another village available for rent is Mondsee, Austria. This lakeside town pairs an inviting, warm swimming hole with mountain views, and it’s well equipped to host your conference or seminar. Mondsee’s stunning views make it popular with tourists, but you can have it — and its castle — reserved for you and up to 500 guests.⁶

If international travel is not in the cards, renting out an entire town is still doable. Cast your gaze toward Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado. The restored ghost town is now a mountain resort that plays host to conferences, weddings and other events year ‘round. The resort allows easy access for heli-skiing, rafting, and hiking. But if you’ve got a less-than-outdoorsy bunch, the locally sourced food and vineyards will excite your guests’ taste buds. You can secure exclusive access to the resort starting at $24,000/night.⁷

Rent an Island

The most affordable way to stake your claim to an entire something is to rent an island, and surprisingly, a private island getaway can actually be quite affordable.

A handful of pink cottages sit atop Popa Island, Panama, making this island perfect for a family reunion or a vacation with friends. The island is surrounded by mangroves and a coral reef, and the only permanent inhabitants are two friendly monkeys who reside here. The island is hosted by a local who can organize activities for you and your group, with rates starting at just $160/night!⁸

The Philippines offers multiple islands for rent. If you need to unplug, the little lake bungalow on Cavinti Island is a perfect solution. It doesn’t have internet and the electricity runs from a generator, allowing you to truly disconnect. For just $63/night you can unwind and get away from it all. Another option is El Nido, an island in the Sulu Sea that has a more tropical feel. Here you’ll find the white sand beaches and coconut trees that have come to be associated with tropical getaways, and the house can host up to 10 people. The staff on the island can schedule waterfront massages or boat rides to nearby islands, and rates start at $381/night.⁸

Belize also has more than one island to choose from for your ultimate getaway. Bird Island is ideal for the snorkeling aficionado. The small island sits in protected waters and is surrounded entirely by coral reefs. This tiny getaway combines ultimate privacy with modern comforts, including internet and TV. A less isolated option is to rent an island in Placencia, Belize, where you’ll be the only ones on the island. However, a network of boardwalks connects the island to a restaurant and Marine reserve nearby if you’re interested in venturing out.⁸

Gaining exclusive access to a province or piece of land can be an oddly empowering experience. It’s the modern way to feel like a king or queen for a short period of time. The good news is that this right isn’t only reserved for the elite. You can stake your claim on an island for not much more than a hotel room might cost (it’s even easier to swing if you take a few friends with you to share expenses.)

Now off you go, with the knowledge you need to rent a country, village or island!

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