If you're the type who seeks out quirky lodging, CAOBA, a website with its own booking engine, showcases extraordinary places worldwide to provide guests with an unforgettable experience.
In the world of hotels, not everything is written in stone. Some cater to a nautical vibe, like the Ritz-Carlton with its Yacht Collection. Others focus on offering experiences that immerse guests in every facet of a destination. But what about those who want to make their trip truly out of the ordinary? For travellers looking for something unique, CAOBA fills that niche by gathering unusual and one-of-a-kind accommodations worldwide on a single platform.
When we say "unique", we mean accommodations like a UFO-inspired lodge in Joshua Tree, a 16th-century watchtower in Almería, or a glass house in the heart of nature in San Miguel de Allende. This was the brainchild of Antonio Cabrerizo from Almería, Spain, and Amaury Cova from Colombia.
A PLATFORM FOR UNIQUE HOTELS WITH DIRECT BOOKINGS
Antonio, who has always worked in marketing, has a passion for design and architecture. “In 2019, we traveled together to Colombia and stayed in a hotel that used to be a convent. They had renovated it, preserving the façade and the rooms. When we spoke with the owners, they told us they struggled to advertise their property beyond platforms like Booking, Airbnb, or their own website”, Antonio shared with Traveler.es.
This revealed a common challenge for unique hotels, inspiring them to start building the brand. “The idea came in 2020. We collaborated with a graphic designer to create a visually impactful brand to kick things off”, Antonio explained. They began by establishing a social media presence and branding concept. Soon, people were asking how they could book the hotels featured in their posts.
Would you like to sleep inside a UFO? In California, a "house of the future" mimics a spaceship with decor and design elements, offering stellar views—and maybe even a real UFO sighting. Prefer a hobbit village? Hobbitenango, near Antigua, Guatemala, started as a friends-only project and grew into a distinctive accommodation featuring hobbit-style homes and restaurants.
The list goes on. There’s a bubble-glamping retreat in the Colombian jungle, a 16th-century watchtower in Almería, a treehouse in Chile’s Tacalmávida Valley, and a remote lighthouse-turned-hotel on Pelican Point in Walvis Bay, Namibia, surrounded by nothing but the ocean.
“One of our most popular listings is Mountain View Experience in Peru—A-frame cabins perched on a mountain in Cusco, surrounded by llamas and close to Machu Picchu”, says Antonio.
Another standout on their roster is the Casa Acantilado in Salobreña, Granada. This architectural marvel by GilBartolomé Architects features wave-like, curving designs that resemble a dragon’s skin from below and ocean waves from above.
CAOBA also includes a section for exclusive accommodations that elevate travel experiences. For example, a lodge in Mozambique offers private flights, anti-jet lag treatments, and a 3D-printed structure made from local materials. Other properties have won architectural awards.
A third section highlights “coolest” hotels—equally unique and exclusive but more affordable, like the Arabian Nights Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum, Jordan, or various glamping sites around the world.
How Does Caoba Work?
All these extraordinary accommodations are available through a single portal. How do these places end up on Caoba? “The owners of these exclusive or unusual hotels recognise the need to list on a platform where they maintain control while receiving high-quality traffic”, Antonio explains. Their team actively scouts new properties, drawing inspiration from architectural magazines and upcoming projects.
But CAOBA isn’t just about lodging—it’s about experiences. Beyond offering accommodations, the platform connects guests with a 360-degree travel experience, acting as a bridge between travellers and hotels.
