Inspired by ‘The Holiday’? Here are 8 cozy cottages and cabins you can rent this winter

Remember the cozy, countryside cottage that Cameron Diaz’s character in “The Holiday” retreated to post-breakup at Christmastime? The cottage that inspired the set for the movie is now for sale in Surrey, just outside of London. It’s on the market for $821,660, so, yeah, it may be a little out of reach as a vacation nook. But it got us thinking: What cozy cottages could you rent this holiday season or throughout the winter to escape the stress of everyday life?

We’ve rounded up 8 cozy cottages and cabins around the world where you can stay this winter (no break-ups or mortgages required!).

1. The Royal Gorge Cabins In Colorado

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Colorado. Sidle up to the fireplace in one of the Royal Gorge Cabins, which have huge windows through which you can (hopefully) watch the snowfall. Then go for a ride on the Santa Express Train that winds through the Royal Gorge canyon. Teddy Roosevelt once referred to the route as one that “bankrupts the English language.”

2. A Floating Tree Sphere In The Dorset Countryside

If “The Holiday” were remade in 2018, we could envision it taking place in a treehouse or a cozy “tree sphere” like this one in England’s Dorset countryside. Especially given recent demand for unique, off-the-beaten-path accommodations.  The romantic and cozy nook can hold two people and costs under $90 a night.

3. A Tree Farm In The Ozarks

Want to keep Christmas going? You’ll find a festive, Christmas-themed cabin in the middle of a Christmas tree farm in Ozark, Arkansas. The hosts use the cabin during the Christmas season, but availability opens up in January. You can stage photos for next year’s holiday cards among rows of Christmas trees. And if you’re planning to fly in, there’s a grass runway. Sounds like something set up for Santa’s reinder, right?

4. A Lakeside Cottage

Traveling as a family? Just outside of Atlanta, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee has lakeside cottages you can rent. Nightly s’mores around a bonfire and lakeside ice skating on a 6,000-square-foot ice rink in the resort’s forest help round out a cozy itinerary. The resort also has two Labrador Retriever puppies, Finn and Skye, who hang out in the lobby and are bidding for your attention and snuggles.

5. A Picturesque Cabin Near South Lake Tahoe, California

Guests at Sorensen’s Resort in Hope Valley, which is in the Sierra Nevada near South Lake Tahoe, California, get complimentary snowshoes on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you can peel yourself away from the cozy cabins, take a hot soak in Grover State Park Hot Springs, which is nearby. The resort offers free tea and hot chocolate to keep guests warm throughout the day.

6. A Modern French Cabin

Pro tip: If you’re looking for unique outdoor accommodations, check Pitchup.com, which recently launched in the United States and has cozy cabins, yurts and lodges available for booking worldwide. We found this cabin with modern comforts in Brittany, France. We’re guessing Cameron Diaz’s character in “The Holiday” would give it a nod of approval.

7. Luxury Cabins In The Rocky Mountains

These cabins come with an exceptionally cool backstory. Dunton Hot Springs is a restored ghost town in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The Dunton Life collection restored the town’s 19 century “Wild West” log cabins into luxurious accommodations. Book an appointment at the spa. It’s fed by natural hot springs.

8. A Cabin In North Carolina

This rustic HomeAway cabin in North Carolina is merry and bright. It was made with logs from authentic antique cabins from the 1800s. While it’s already booked up for the holiday season, put it on your wishlist for 2019 or later this winter.

Now, time to make that packing list: Sweaters, reading books, slippers … you get the idea.