This past weekend was the 29th annual Sand Sculpting Competition on the Coney Island Boardwalk, a beloved tradition that brings out creative amateurs and professionals. Just nearby at Luna Park, built in homage to the competition, is the largest sand sculpture ever constructed in New York City — and it can be rented on Booking.com for $29 a night this weekend. Dubbed the “SAND-sion”, the 8 foot tall, 18 x18 foot sand castle made with 100 tons of sand was overseen by Matt Long, an internationally renowned sand sculptor known as the “Sandman,” who has appeared on the Travel Channel’s reality show, “Sand Masters.”
Photo courtesy of Booking.com
The exterior is designed in the shape of a beach house. The interior has the feel of a geodesic dome and are spacious with wood panel floors, nicely appointed beach-style furniture, and flowing wheatgrass. There are amenities for you to enjoy the beach, like robes, flip flops, beach balls, surfboard, headphones, camera, and beach bags. It’s air conditioned, comes with linens and towels, has a shower, and bathroom. Also included: dinner for you and a guest, sunrise beach yoga, and Luna Park VIP passes which include rides and food. Our favorite touch however, is the mailbox!
Photo courtesy of Booking.com
Photo courtesy of Booking.com
With this sand castle pop-up, Booking.com aims to highlight the unique types of accommodations on its platform that are becoming increasingly popular. Research commissioned by the company indicates that 43% of travelers want “to stay in an accommodation type they’ve never experienced before in 2019 and nearly three quarters (73%) of Booking.com’s top-awarded accommodation types in 2018 being homes, apartments and cool, unique places to stay, consumer demand for incredible experiences remains strong.”
Photo courtesy of Booking.com
Bookings for the sand castle open at 12 PM today with stays available on August 23rd and 24th. If you’re interested in exploring more about the secrets of Coney Island, join us on an upcoming tour which unearth old secrets of the many long-gone amusement parks:
Michelle is the founder of Untapped New York and the author of The Art Spy (HarperOne, forthcoming) Secret Brooklyn, Secret New York Hidden Bars & Restaurants, and Broadway. michelleyoungwriter.com
