The 12 best Boston Airbnb homes to rent out right now

Sure, you’ve probably already taken a cruise around Boston Harbor, but how about sleeping on it for a night? Docked in a Charlestown marina is a boathouse-turned-studio perfect for a sea-happy couple (but no one else; quarters are snug). There’s no kitchen, but there is a pool on the marina, and there’s even a tiny deck with Adirondacks so you can wave at fellow sea dogs. Pro tip: skip the rental car (parking’s expensive and difficult) and take a water taxi from Logan straight to your boat. From $229 per night

Time to gather the extended fam and pretend to be Harvard intellectuals for a weekend. This stunning, five-bedroom Mansard Victorian is just a 10-minute walk to Harvard Yard. It’s a classic Cambridge abode—lovely yet unpretentious, combining an airy, modern kitchen with quirky decor, comfy furniture and the perfect yard for frolicking young’uns while the adults enjoy a glass of wine on the adjoining deck. From $1,375 per night

When hundreds of guests and have given it five-star raves, you know you’ve found a special spot. It’s a traditional-looking carriage house from the outside, which makes the Scandinavian interior that much more surprising. From a deep-blue entryway, you head upstairs into a sundrenched open studio space awash in modern trappings. It’s a private respite that just so happens to put you in the middle of everything the funky neighborhood of Jamaica Plain has to offer, from ethnic eateries to antique shops and indie record stores. From $173 per night

This dreamy, feminine apartment feels like something straight out of a sitcom about aspiring twentysomethings in the big city, maybe. Grab an adventurous bestie for a weekend of sightseeing and shopping—the apartment is literally atop Charles Street in Beacon Hill, the most picturesque street in the city. No fighting over bedrooms, as both are impeccably appointed. From $395 per night

Hotels are wasted on the young. But a kid-centric condo in the middle of the city’s lively North End neighborhood? That’s another thing entirely. Adults will appreciate the exposed bricks, rolling barn doors, and high-end kitchen and bathrooms. But this one is really about the kiddos, from the Murphy beds to the downstairs playroom and the walking proximity to attractions like the New England Aquarium and Museum of Science (to which you’ll also receive free passes). From $750 per night

A dark wood library with leather couches astride a massive fireplace? A pool table and wet bar? A ballroom? A private roof deck? An elevator? This 1860s single-family brick rowhouse in the South End just drips with history—and, in fact, it once served as a gathering place for civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph. Within the home’s six floors, there are three total bedrooms available for rent, and breakfast is included. Once you’ve managed to extricate yourself from these elegant 19th century trappings, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a trendy area filled with hip bakeries, restaurants and boutiques. From $350 per night

This might be your best chance to live inside the pages of Architectural Digest. What first pulls you into the single-story modernist home is the entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the backyard. But it’s really the austere, museum quality of the decor that will keep you gaping. From $600 per night

It’s the second oldest home in Beacon Hill, itself the oldest neighborhood of Boston. But what makes this space so irresistible is that it feels like a secret abode: A tiny jewel of a basement studio with brick walls peeking out between twee antique furniture. This is true city living (just be aware of the late night noise), which means you can walk or take public transportation almost anywhere. From $190 per night

As centrally located as this Bay Village brownstone is, it’s going to be hard to get yourself out the door—the decor is just that arresting. A predominantly white canvas serves as background to pristine mid-century lamps and furniture, as well as wall art both minimalist and splashy. The modernist, angular kitchen feels like it belongs in a museum, and the intimate side patio is the perfect spot for a morning coffee while you plot the day’s activities. From $436 per night

It’s hard to resist penthouse living, especially when the private roof deck—right off one of the two bedrooms, in fact—grants an up-close-and-personal view of the Back Bay skyline. (There’s also a second, separate patio in the back.) This condo sits right on Newbury Street, aka the shopping boulevard of Boston. From $450 per night

It’s like a Copenhagen country home was helicoptered into the urban wilds of Brookline. The space is by turns massive, modernistic, comfortable, and kid-friendly. At night, you can head out to one of the many nearby restaurants or hop on the Green Line to get into Boston proper—Fenway Park is but a few stops away. From $900 per night

Take the interior of a shipping vessel, cross it with a small European museum and the result is this lush, intimate Charlestown suite. Perhaps best enjoyed in wintertime, a highlight is the wood-burning fireplace (wood is provided). The location is more residential than commercial, so be prepared to drive or hail a ride to get across the city. From $266 per night