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 26 places in the U.S. and around the world that will let you indulge your inner gumshoe.
Johnson City, Texas
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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.
Puyallup, Washington
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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.
Los Angeles
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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.
Newport, Oregon
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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.
Rindge, New Hampshire
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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.
Petoskey, Michigan
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Calling all pint-size wizard wanna-bes: This rental house for up to 26 in the Michigan resort city of Petoskey has a “Harry Potter”-themed bunk room that has its own secret playroom hidden away behind a swinging bookshelf. There are also arcade games, a ping-pong table, a pool table, a home gym, and a theater room with plush seating. Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Mackinac Island are minutes away.
Savannah, Georgia
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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.
Dallas
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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.
Vals, Switzerland
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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.
St. Charles, Missouri
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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.
Sandwich, Massachusetts
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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.
London
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Ready for something truly different? Stay for a week at London's artsy four-bedroom Rainbow House. One of many eye-popping features is a hidden trapdoor in the bedroom: Open it, and you'll find a slide that whisks you down to a living area and kitchen. Other highlights include a gorgeous multicolored spiral staircase, a bed that rotates 360 degrees, and a rooftop garden. (If an actual trip to the U.K. isn't in the cards, how about A Virtual Weekend Vacation in London.)
Orlando, Florida
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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.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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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.
Related: 70 Free Things to Do in America's Most Popular Cities
Bouville, France
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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.
Chimacum, Washington
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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.
Dominical, Costa Rica
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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.
New York City
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In true offbeat Brooklyn fashion, this Bushwick apartment features a "Harry Potter-esque" hidden room for one guest built entirely with reinforced bookcases. Need to get in? Just find the can of sesame tahini, which functions as the doorknob. The subway is just a few blocks away, offering easy access to Manhattan.
Rome, Italy
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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.
Knoxville, Tennessee
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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.
Middle LaHave, Nova Scotia, Canada
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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."
Massanuten, Virginia
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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
Dufferin, New Brunswick, Canada
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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.
Lindale, Texas
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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.
St. George, Utah
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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.
