scorecardI slept in a lifeguard tower overlooking the Florida Everglades and was surprised it only cost $100 on Airbnb
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  4. I slept in a lifeguard tower overlooking the Florida Everglades and was surprised it only cost $100 on Airbnb

I slept in a lifeguard tower overlooking the Florida Everglades and was surprised it only cost $100 on Airbnb

Joey Hadden   

I slept in a lifeguard tower overlooking the Florida Everglades and was surprised it only cost $100 on Airbnb
The author stayed in a lifeguard tower in South Miami-Dade Marina in Florida, and she thought it was refreshingly budget-friendly getaway.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently spent a night in a funky lifeguard tower I found on Airbnb, and it was a glamper's dream.
  • For $100 a night, I got a small room with a comfy bed and sweeping views of the Florida Everglades.

For $100, I stayed in a unique lifeguard tower I found on Airbnb, where I got a comfy bed, stunning views of the Florida Everglades and Manatee Bay, and easy access to nature.

For $100, I stayed in a unique lifeguard tower I found on Airbnb, where I got a comfy bed, stunning views of the Florida Everglades and Manatee Bay, and easy access to nature.
The author sits outside of the lifeguard tower.      Joey Hadden/Insider

For full disclosure, Insider paid for the Airbnb accommodation, according to our reporting standards.

There are certainly more glamorous and expensive ways to go glamping — you could pay thousands of dollars for luxury glamping accommodations, Insider reports.

There are certainly more glamorous and expensive ways to go glamping — you could pay thousands of dollars for luxury glamping accommodations, Insider reports.
A glamping accommodation in Northern Botswana.      Jason Edwards/Getty Images

Glamping offers an ideal compromise if you want to camp without actually sleeping on the ground, as Insider reports.

Glamping offers an ideal compromise if you want to camp without actually sleeping on the ground, as Insider reports.
A glamping accommodation on the Sri Lankan highlands.      Cavan Images/Getty Images

Source: Insider

But I never would have thought that Airbnb would be a great way to find such a unique, budget-friendly glamping experience. Now that I know, I plan to do it again.

But I never would have thought that Airbnb would be a great way to find such a unique, budget-friendly glamping experience. Now that I know, I plan to do it again.
The author is seen at the lifeguard tower.      Joey Hadden/Insider

On my way to the tower at South Miami-Dade Marina, my host texted me to bring bottled water because the water on site is suitable for showering but not drinking.

On my way to the tower at South Miami-Dade Marina, my host texted me to bring bottled water because the water on site is suitable for showering but not drinking.
A view of the highway leading to the accommodation.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While the lifeguard towers are originally from Miami South Beach, they've been relocated next to a dock that feels secluded and has a locking gate.

While the lifeguard towers are originally from Miami South Beach, they
The property where the tower is located is behind a locked gate.      Joey Hadden/Insider

This made me feel the sweet isolation of camping without having to fear for my safety. Plus, it allowed me to sleep next to manatees, according to a sign posted near a boat ramp.

This made me feel the sweet isolation of camping without having to fear for my safety. Plus, it allowed me to sleep next to manatees, according to a sign posted near a boat ramp.
The boat ramp has a sign that says to watch for manatees.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The shared bathroom was in a small, yellow building near the front of the property, and I only ran into one other guest when I first arrived. I was also frequently greeted by cats and chickens that freely roamed the property.

The shared bathroom was in a small, yellow building near the front of the property, and I only ran into one other guest when I first arrived. I was also frequently greeted by cats and chickens that freely roamed the property.
The bathroom is seen on the left.      Joey Hadden/Insider

A few yards away, my host directed me to my lifeguard tower — the red, white, and blue one.

A few yards away, my host directed me to my lifeguard tower — the red, white, and blue one.
A view from below the lifeguard tower.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The tower next to it was also painted in vibrant hues, and the turquoise and yellow kept catching my eye.

The tower next to it was also painted in vibrant hues, and the turquoise and yellow kept catching my eye.
A view of the neighboring tower next to the dock.      Joey Hadden/Insider

After taking a walk around my starred and striped tower, I thought it looked like a pretty cool place to hang out.

After taking a walk around my starred and striped tower, I thought it looked like a pretty cool place to hang out.
The tower is seen from different angles.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Sitting up on the porch overlooking the dock, the boats, and the Florida Everglades felt so peaceful that I forgot I was just yards away from a highway.

Sitting up on the porch overlooking the dock, the boats, and the Florida Everglades felt so peaceful that I forgot I was just yards away from a highway.
A view of the dock from the top of the tower.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Inside, the tower seemed to be about 100 square feet and had all the basics I needed — a bed, air conditioning, towels, and simple decor.

Inside, the tower seemed to be about 100 square feet and had all the basics I needed — a bed, air conditioning, towels, and simple decor.
The tower had air conditioning, towels, and minimal decor.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I was grateful for two sets of outlets next to the queen-size bed, which was firm with a slight give. One of the outlets had two USB ports as well. I was able to charge all of my devices at the same time — a luxury when camping.

I was grateful for two sets of outlets next to the queen-size bed, which was firm with a slight give. One of the outlets had two USB ports as well. I was able to charge all of my devices at the same time — a luxury when camping.
The author sits on a queen-size bed.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Above, stringed lights were the only source of light in the tower. I thought that might bother me at night, but instead, it just added to the glamping vibe.

Above, stringed lights were the only source of light in the tower. I thought that might bother me at night, but instead, it just added to the glamping vibe.
String lights are seen on the ceiling.      Joey Hadden/Insider

There were wide windows on three sides of the tower, and I felt like I was sleeping outside but with the comforts of the indoors.

There were wide windows on three sides of the tower, and I felt like I was sleeping outside but with the comforts of the indoors.
The marina is seen through windows from inside the tower.      Joey Hadden/Insider

If I wanted privacy, I could push the wooden shutters up over the windows and pull them back down again.

If I wanted privacy, I could push the wooden shutters up over the windows and pull them back down again.
The wooden shutters can be pushed up or pulled down.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My host warned me that the bugs came out at dusk and dawn and advised that I only go outside during those times with covered legs. I decided to skip the bug bites and stay inside.

My host warned me that the bugs came out at dusk and dawn and advised that I only go outside during those times with covered legs. I decided to skip the bug bites and stay inside.
A view from the top of the tower shows the staircase leading up to it      Joey Hadden/Insider

I had the perfect view of the sun setting indoors anyway. The windows were high, so I sat on a stool —the only chair in the room — and took it all in.

I had the perfect view of the sun setting indoors anyway. The windows were high, so I sat on a stool —the only chair in the room — and took it all in.
A view of the sunset from inside the tower      Joey Hadden/Insider

The high stool felt like an intentional choice, and I appreciated it, especially since it was my favorite color, orange.

The high stool felt like an intentional choice, and I appreciated it, especially since it was my favorite color, orange.
The stool was next to a table holding a fake plant.      Joey Hadden/Insider

When the sun set, I ran into some cats on my way to the bathroom, where I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. Since I felt like I was camping, I thought it was a nice bonus to have somewhere to get cleaned up.

When the sun set, I ran into some cats on my way to the bathroom, where I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. Since I felt like I was camping, I thought it was a nice bonus to have somewhere to get cleaned up.
The author brushes her teeth in the bathroom.      Joey Hadden/Insider

There was a full moon that night, and I could see it lighting up the clouds from my bed. I thought that on a clearer night, I'd probably be able to see some stars, and maybe even some animals.

There was a full moon that night, and I could see it lighting up the clouds from my bed. I thought that on a clearer night, I
A view outside the tower at night and in the morning.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I could see the sun rise and set from all angles thanks to the windows that wrapped around the tower. That was my favorite part of the whole experience.

I could see the sun rise and set from all angles thanks to the windows that wrapped around the tower. That was my favorite part of the whole experience.
A view of the sun rising from inside the tower.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the bed was comfortable, and I woke up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

I thought the bed was comfortable, and I woke up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day.
The author takes a selfie in the morning.      Joey Hadden/Insider

On my way out, I noticed a kayak, which I had access to but unfortunately didn't have time to use.

On my way out, I noticed a kayak, which I had access to but unfortunately didn
A view of the property as the author leaves in the morning.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As I locked up and headed off to my next adventure, I was surprised at how much more relaxed I felt after just 15 hours in this Airbnb.

As I locked up and headed off to my next adventure, I was surprised at how much more relaxed I felt after just 15 hours in this Airbnb.
The author locks the gate and exits the property.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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