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  4. I slept in a sculpture in Rome for $100 a night and it was the coolest accommodation I've ever booked

I slept in a sculpture in Rome for $100 a night and it was the coolest accommodation I've ever booked

I slept in a sculpture in Rome for $100 a night and it was the coolest accommodation I've ever booked
Insider's reporter slept inside a sculpture she found on Airbnb near Rome.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I spent two nights in a livable art sculpture in Rome that I found on on Airbnb.
  • Connected to a larger home that is 20 minutes from the heart of Rome, it cost $200 for two nights.

I've traveled around the US, Europe, and Canada staying in various accommodations from tiny homes to luxury hotels. But none have been as memorable as the livable sculpture I found on Airbnb in Rome for $100 a night.

I
The author stands on the patio outside of the Airbnb in October 2022.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I stayed in the sculpture for two nights as part of a recent train trip through four European countries.

I stayed in the sculpture for two nights as part of a recent train trip through four European countries.
The author travels to Rome by train (L) and visits the Colosseum in October 2022.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Airbnb is known for having unique and unconventional lodgings and I wanted to stay somewhere in Rome that would be more memorable than a typical hotel. I searched for unusual homes in the area and was immediately stunned by this gorgeous, colorful listing.

Airbnb is known for having unique and unconventional lodgings and I wanted to stay somewhere in Rome that would be more memorable than a typical hotel. I searched for unusual homes in the area and was immediately stunned by this gorgeous, colorful listing.
Photos the author took inside (L) and outside (R) of the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Airbnb

In the listing, the Airbnb was described by the host as a livable sculpture, located on the roof of the villa where he lives.

In the listing, the Airbnb was described by the host as a livable sculpture, located on the roof of the villa where he lives.
The outside of the livable sculpture.      Joey Hadden/Insider

During my stay, my host, Alessandro, told me that he made the sculpture residence seven years ago using as many recycled materials as possible, from car windows and scrap wood to pieces of broken tiles.

During my stay, my host, Alessandro, told me that he made the sculpture residence seven years ago using as many recycled materials as possible, from car windows and scrap wood to pieces of broken tiles.
Pillars on the outside of the structure.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Alessandro also told Insider his livable sculpture was inspired by one of artist Tony Cragg's cube sculptures full of holes. He said it made him think, "If I make it bigger and find a way to close the holes, it could become a house." So he set out to create one.

Alessandro also told Insider his livable sculpture was inspired by one of artist Tony Cragg
Tony Cragg's exhibition "Transfer" preview at Museo Novecento on September 21, 2022 in Florence, Italy.      Roberto Serra - Iguana Press/Getty Images

Alessandro bought his vision to life and the Airbnb comes with one bedroom, one bathroom, a large patio, and a kitchen and dining space with an open floor plan.

Alessandro bought his vision to life and the Airbnb comes with one bedroom, one bathroom, a large patio, and a kitchen and dining space with an open floor plan.
Inside the Airbnb's kitchen (L) and bathroom (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

Before booking this Airbnb, I had never even heard of a sculpture home. I imagined it wouldn't be unlike sleeping in a giant piece of art with design elements on display from every angle, inside and out. Turns out, I was right.

Before booking this Airbnb, I had never even heard of a sculpture home. I imagined it wouldn
A view of the ceiling inside the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

To get to the Airbnb, it was a 20-minute drive from the train station in Rome's city center. From the home, I took cabs to and from the heart of the city, which cost about $15 each way.

To get to the Airbnb, it was a 20-minute drive from the train station in Rome
The street outside of the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

When we arrived, the host greeted my partner and me. He gave us keys to open the gate to the Airbnb entrance and led us into a yard with a lush garden. There were glowing lanterns, a hammock, plenty of sitting areas, as well as a variety of plant life including bamboo and palm trees.

When we arrived, the host greeted my partner and me. He gave us keys to open the gate to the Airbnb entrance and led us into a yard with a lush garden. There were glowing lanterns, a hammock, plenty of sitting areas, as well as a variety of plant life including bamboo and palm trees.
A view of the backyard from the Airbnb's balcony.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The entrance to the sculpture was in the yard on the side of the host's villa. I noticed colorful tiling on the outside of the villa in the shape of a face with plump lips.

The entrance to the sculpture was in the yard on the side of the host
A face on the sculpture's facade.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Across from the face in the yard outside of the villa, I saw another cluster of tiles in the shape of a tree.

Across from the face in the yard outside of the villa, I saw another cluster of tiles in the shape of a tree.
A tree made of tiles in the yard of the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

To access the Airbnb, I carefully walked up a steep staircase to reach its front door.

To access the Airbnb, I carefully walked up a steep staircase to reach its front door.
Stairs lead up to the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Inside were two more flights of stairs leading up to the Airbnb. The sculpture's entrance was identifiable by a tile tree on the door similar to the one I saw outside. Each door had a lock, so I felt safe during my stay.

Inside were two more flights of stairs leading up to the Airbnb. The sculpture
Keys (L) to the door leading inside the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I first entered the kitchen and dining area. I thought the Airbnb's organic shapes made it feel like an above-ground cave with countless windows.

I first entered the kitchen and dining area. I thought the Airbnb
The main room inside the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I immediately noticed the vibrant flooring that the host told me he installed with broken tiles. It had the same color scheme as the artwork I spotted outside. I thought it made the sculpture look cohesive.

I immediately noticed the vibrant flooring that the host told me he installed with broken tiles. It had the same color scheme as the artwork I spotted outside. I thought it made the sculpture look cohesive.
The floor tiling inside the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The kitchen and dining area felt large to me. Since I was staying in a sculpture, I thought it would be primarily made for art and expected to feel crammed, but there was enough open space for me to do yoga in the mornings.

The kitchen and dining area felt large to me. Since I was staying in a sculpture, I thought it would be primarily made for art and expected to feel crammed, but there was enough open space for me to do yoga in the mornings.
The kitchen inside the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The kitchen was equipped with a mini fridge, coffee, dishes, and cooking supplies from olive oil to garlic and spices.

The kitchen was equipped with a mini fridge, coffee, dishes, and cooking supplies from olive oil to garlic and spices.
Kitchen details inside the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the one bedroom was modestly sized with a full bed and curtains to cover up the windows looking out into the kitchen.

I thought the one bedroom was modestly sized with a full bed and curtains to cover up the windows looking out into the kitchen.
The Airbnb's bedroom.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I had a dresser and a clothing rack in there, too, so I unpacked and settled in.

I had a dresser and a clothing rack in there, too, so I unpacked and settled in.
Clothing storage in the Airbnb's bedroom.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Next to the bedroom, I thought the bathroom was cozy with storage spaces and some amenities, including a bidet and a hair dryer.

Next to the bedroom, I thought the bathroom was cozy with storage spaces and some amenities, including a bidet and a hair dryer.
A look inside the bathroom.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The same tiling from outside and the living area continued into the shower, which I thought was snug but beautifully unique.

The same tiling from outside and the living area continued into the shower, which I thought was snug but beautifully unique.
The shower inside the Airbnb's bathroom.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Across from the bathroom, a window with reflecting tiles on the outside and a view of the trees in the backyard was interesting enough to stand alone as an art piece, in my opinion.

Across from the bathroom, a window with reflecting tiles on the outside and a view of the trees in the backyard was interesting enough to stand alone as an art piece, in my opinion.
A peak out one window in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The largest portion of the Airbnb was the partially-covered patio balcony outside that overlooked the backyard of the host's home.

The largest portion of the Airbnb was the partially-covered patio balcony outside that overlooked the backyard of the host
A view from the Airbnb's patio.      Joey Hadden/Insider

There were two sets of tables and chairs, as well as two lounge chairs on the patio. I relaxed and dined out here. I also thought about how cool it would be to host a small dinner party in this beautiful outdoor space.

There were two sets of tables and chairs, as well as two lounge chairs on the patio. I relaxed and dined out here. I also thought about how cool it would be to host a small dinner party in this beautiful outdoor space.
A table and lounging chairs on the Airbnb's patio.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Lights lit up the patio as the sun went down and I lounged out there into the night, as well.

Lights lit up the patio as the sun went down and I lounged out there into the night, as well.
Lights on the Airbnb's patio.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In the mornings, I woke up with sunlight pouring in thanks to all the windows. I started my days with coffee and yoga before heading to the center of Rome.

In the mornings, I woke up with sunlight pouring in thanks to all the windows. I started my days with coffee and yoga before heading to the center of Rome.
The author wakes up and makes coffee.      Joey Hadden/Insider

On my way in and out of the Airbnb, I made friends with a big, fluffy, spotted dog who also lived on the property. I'd never met an Airbnb owner's pets and he was so sweet, so it was a welcome surprise.

On my way in and out of the Airbnb, I made friends with a big, fluffy, spotted dog who also lived on the property. I
The friendly dog at the Airbnb gets some pets from the author's partner.      Joey Hadden/Insider

For my last evening in the Airbnb, I cooked some fresh pasta I picked up during the day using the kitchen supplies. Being able to cook here made me feel more like I was at home.

For my last evening in the Airbnb, I cooked some fresh pasta I picked up during the day using the kitchen supplies. Being able to cook here made me feel more like I was at home.
Fresh pasta the author cooked in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I think this accommodation would be perfect for someone looking for a one-of-a-kind place to stay with artistic vibes in a quiet, peaceful location in Rome.

I think this accommodation would be perfect for someone looking for a one-of-a-kind place to stay with artistic vibes in a quiet, peaceful location in Rome.
The author unwinds at the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I relaxed on the patio for the last time before leaving. Feeling refreshed and recharged from this unique home, I wished I could stay for longer. But I was onto my next European adventure.

I relaxed on the patio for the last time before leaving. Feeling refreshed and recharged from this unique home, I wished I could stay for longer. But I was onto my next European adventure.
The author enjoys the patio at the Airbnb,      Joey Hadden/Insider

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