El Cosmico
Texas
El Cosmico offers a rooted experience of the nomadic lifestyle, provides guests with the chance to sleep up close to nature in the remote south west of Texas. Located in Marfa, a tiny desert city close to the Mexican border, it has seven restored late-Forties and 1950s trailers, with decks outside for gazing up at the night sky. Spend days lazing around in the communal hammock grove and hot tubs, or sign up for one of the cooking, art and song-writing workshops.
El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas (001 432 729 1950; elcosmico.com). Nightly rates from $110 (about R1 000).
Big Sur Getaway
California
This retreat, sandwiched between the sands of Pfeiffer Beach and the nature trails of Andrew Molera State Park, is an ideal stop for road trippers making their way along the Pacific Coast Highway. There are currently two trailers hidden beneath the redwoods, with a third to follow soon. Each is surrounded by a landscaped plot, with sunbeds in one and a hammock in the other. Both have barbecues and outdoor tables for alfresco dining in the warm California night.
Big Sur Getaway, Highway 1, California (bigsurgetaway.com). Nightly rates from $244.
Lakedale Resort
Washington State
The San Juan Islands make an idyllic weekend escape from Seattle. Hop on a ferry or floatplane to be transported to the serenity of Lakedale Resort. The estate comprises a 10-room hotel, log cabins and camping pitches scattered around three lakes. There's also the 1978 Excella Airstream parked up beside the shore, with 1970s interiors, a tree-shaded deck, and a welcome hamper stocked with your first morning's breakfast.
Lakedale Resort, Friday Harbor, Washington State (001 360 378 2350; lakedale.com). From $159 nightly.
The Shady Dell
Arizona
In the 1970s, Bisbee, an old mining town in the far south of Arizona, found a new purpose as an artists' colony. Today, a piece of the town's left-field heritage lives on at The Shady Dell. Here a classic-car collector, Justin, and his wife, Jen, have converted a range of trailers, Airstreams, and a 1947 pleasure boat for guests. All have pickett fences, privet hedges and a small grass patch, with vintage record players inside enhancing the retro tone.
The Shady Dell, Bisbee, Arizona (001 520 432 3567; theshadydell.com). Nightly rates from $87.
Bar Harbor Oceanside
Maine
Kampgrounds of America has nearly 500 campsites across the US and Canada. This particular site, in the New England colony of Bar Harbor, is run by Jeff and Gloria Goins. Pitched between the Atlantic and Acadia National Park, it offers a range of family activities such as fishing, kayaking, and nightly campfires. It has also introduced six shiny new Airstream trailers, which sleeps four, offering a comfortable, fuss-free escape.
Bar Harbor Oceanside, Maine (001 207 288 0546; koa.com). Nightly rates from $143.
Kate's Lazy Desert
California
Kate Pierson, former lead singer of the B-52s now owns two properties: the Lazy Meadow, near Woodstock in upstate New York; and the Lazy Desert, on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park in California. It's at the second site where you'll find six vintage Airstreams, ranging from the baby blue “Tinkerbell” to the neon yellow “Hairstream”. They're all the right side of kitsch inside, with cool, psychedelic interiors by artist-duo Maberry + Walker.
Kate's Lazy Desert, High Desert, California (001 845 688 7200; lazymeadow.com). Nightly rates from $175. - The Independent