Area 51 is off-limits, but you can visit the next best thing – Area 55, an Airbnb in the Californian desert that’s shaped just like a flying saucer.
The UFO aesthetics of the pod home, located near Joshua Tree, are enhanced further by huge oval windows, a drop-down stairway and four ‘landing legs’ – a bona fide out-of-this-world rental and the only ‘Futuro House’ in America you can stay the night in.
Futuro Houses were the brainchild of Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, who came up with the design in 1968. He intended them to be used as portable ski chalets.
Area 55, an Airbnb in the Californian desert that’s shaped just like a flying saucer. It is the only ‘Futuro House’ in America you can stay the night in
They had 520 sq ft of inside space and boasted a kitchen, a bathroom and a fireplace, while the front door took the form of an electric hatch.
According to thefuturohouse.com, the 16 parts that made up the house could be assembled on-site or the fully-formed structure could be transported by helicopter – making them look uncannily like spaceships.
However, less than 100 of these houses were ever built as the 1973 oil crisis caused the price of the materials used to build them to soar.
Today, it is believed that around 68 of them still exist around the world, including one that is a home in Houston, Delaware, several in Australia – including one at Canberra University – and one in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
The pod’s Airbnb listing describes it as an ‘off-grid glamping experience’ and explains: ‘The idea is to disconnect, kick back on the queen-size daybed and enjoy, but still have those perks of having some connected amenities when needed’
Area 55, built in 1968, is believed to be one of 19 Futuro Houses still in the United States. Its first home was the Playboy Club Hotel in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Outside, the Airbnb has an outdoor shower and an outdoor kitchen area, pictured, with a propane grill where you can ‘make your favourite food and eat by the fire pit under the stars’
Close encounters with Area 55 start from $299 (£216) per night
Area 55, built in 1968, is believed to be one of 19 Futuro Houses in the United States.
Its first home was one of Hugh Hefner’s favourite spots, the Playboy Club Hotel in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, now the Grand Geneva Resort, reports Thrillist.
After that, its history is unclear, but it is thought to have also been a beauty salon and a realty office before being snapped up by Ronald Jackson, who opened it as an Airbnb in California in 2019.
Its listing describes it as an ‘off-grid glamping experience’ and explains: ‘The idea is to disconnect, kick back on the queen-size daybed and enjoy, but still have those perks of having some connected amenities when needed.’
These perks include solar power to keep electronic devices charged, an in-house Bluetooth sound system and a coffee maker.
The property also has quirky furniture, board games and space-themed comics and VHS movies, such as Alien and Star Wars.
In addition, there’s fresh water for outdoor showers and an outdoor kitchen area with a propane grill where you can ‘make your favourite food and eat by the fire pit under the stars’.
Close encounters with Area 55 start from $299 (£216) per night.