You Can Sleep in an Eco-Friendly Earthship in the Desert
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If you’re looking for a truly one-of-a-kind Airbnb experience, do a quick search for “Earthship.” Mostly located in mild, dry regions across the United States (think: New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado), these solar homes are made from upcycled materials. Taos, New Mexico is an especially great haven for eco-friendly architecture fans, and there is no shortage of homes in the area for rent on Airbnb.
The whole draw of an Earthship is how dependent it is on the natural elements. According to Earthship Biotecture (an architecture group led by Michael Reynolds that has been building these homes in Taos for years) to be an official Earthship, the home needs to check a couple of boxes: It must produce its own electricity, and provide water from natural sources. It must have an on-site sewage system and use passive heating and cooling. Food should be produced nearby, and the Earthship should be built with readily-available materials.
A home that satisfies all six requirements will make it possible for anyone in one of these homes to survive off the grid. Even though your Airbnb stay may be temporary, it's an incredible way for travelers to experience sustainable living.
Typically, these homes are constructed of, well, trash: old tires, plastic bottles, cans and cardboard. And the architecture is not to be overlooked, either. Most of the homes appear more like extensions of the Earth than manmade structures.
We pulled together a handful of the most eye-catching Earthships you can rent on Airbnb, so you see these incredible structures for yourself. Just be sure to put the stay on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card for 3x points — one of the best travel rewards credit cards for Airbnb.
Picuris
This two-bedroom home in El Prado, New Mexico was built by Earthship Biotecture and comes equipped with a vegetable garden, Wi-Fi and killer views.
Phoenix
This home looks more like a palace than anything. Also located in El Prado, you’ll have access to a greenhouse, a fish pond, a chicken coop (fresh eggs!), a fire pit and an indoor fireplace.
The Oasis
This Earthship is located within the Greater World Earthship Community near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Why this one stands out: open-air skylights in all of the bedrooms so you can stargaze without ever leaving bed. There are also indoor garden planters throughout the house, which is a delightful way to bring the outside in.
Studio
Located just outside of Taos, this Earthship comes with a ton of modern amenities: Wi-Fi, Netflix, soaking tub, laundry and a great cooking set-up. The best part of the home may be the hallway-length set of glass windows opening up a view of the surrounding nature.
Waybee
Built by Earthship Biotecture, this is one of the newest Earthships available to rent. Waybee’s architecture may appear neutral from the outside, but hop inside and you’ll be delighted by all of the pops of color (don’t miss the stained glass inside the bathroom!). The glass solarium is lined with a row of plants, making the perfect place to set up with a good book.
