The sole purpose of hotels must merely be to serve your travel residence needs but a few of these hotels have made certain travel destinations worth visiting. Be it living in an underwater room situated 16 feet below sea level or sleeping inside a glass igloo beneath the celestial Northern Lights, the world is brimming with unusual and quirky hotels that need to be on your travel bucket list. Being the gateway to exceptional views or simply providing an adventurous experience owing to its outré location, these hotels stand out on our unique hotels’ list.
01. SKYLODGE ADVENTURE SUITES, PERU
Got a taste for adventure? Book a stay at the Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru. Perched right on the side of a cliff, this capsule hotel is located in the Sacred Valley in Peru. The one-of-a-kind property stands out owing to its audacious location. One of the most unique properties in the world, the Skylodge Adventure Suites features transparent capsule rooms hanging off the side of a cliff. Gauging the location, one can imagine the plethora of surreal valley views offered at this unique property.
02. PAN TREETOP CABINS, NORWAY
Plan a hideaway at a cabin in the woods, but make it luxe and contemporary. The Pan Treetop Cabins hotel in Norway is an intriguing strike between the concept of secluded cabins in the wild and swish comfort. The treetop cabins are designed to enable you to become one with nature and witness the local life, rich culture, and the simplicity in the ways of country life.
03. GIRAFFE MANOR, KENYA
The colonial-style villa in Nairobi strikes as a regular bed and breakfast but upon spending a day here, one will gather that it is not just humans who are welcomed at this boutique hotel. It is not uncommon at Giraffe Manor for a flock of giraffes to simply traipse into the estate or even wedge their heads through the windows and greet the guests. Standing out, truly, as one of the most unusual hotels in the world, the Giraffe Manor ought to be on every traveller’s bucket list who seeks an extraordinary stay experience.
04. KAKSLAUTTANEN RESORT, FINLAND
Finland’s Kakslauttanen Resort redefined glamping with its glass igloos. One of the unique hotels in the world, Kakslauttanen Resort is a gateway to witness the ethereal Northern Lights right from your bedroom. The glass igloos are located on the way toward the Arctic Sea. One can bask in the gorgeous solitude during the Northern Lights season with nothing but knee-deep snow cover and one of the incredible marvels of nature.
05. THE CONRAD, MALDIVES
Gaze at the marvellous mysteries of the sea unfolding from an underwater suite at The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. The luxury resort in The Maldives was the first of its kind globally to build a suite underwater. Breaking away from the conventional ways, the underwater suite makes The Conrad Maldives a unique hotel.
06. THEKRANE, DENMARK
As the name suggests, THEKRANE in Denmark’s Copenhagen is built inside a restored crane. As opposed to the rows of rooms in a standalone building, THEKRANE is a one-room intimate hotel. The room is built inside the engine room of the abandoned crane. Offering panoramic views of the city’s skyline, THEKRANE features minimalist decor doused in deeper hues. The interiors of the hotel drop parallel with its raw and rugged surroundings.
07. SHERATON HUZHOU HOT SPRING RESORT, CHINA
Rising off the banks of Nan Tai Lake, the Sheraton Hot Spring Resort is known for its horse-shoe shaped building. The unique architectural feature of the luxury hotel makes it stand out as one of the unique hotels in the world. Located in the heart of Huzhou, the luxury hotel boasts a private beach and a wedding island that extends into Tai Lake.
08. INTERCONTINENTAL SHANGHAI WONDERLAND, CHINA
One of the best luxury hotels in China, the Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland trickles down a hill in an abandoned quarry. The unique hotel features two submerged floors, i.e. one can experience the wonder of staying underwater at the Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland. One of the unique hotels in the world, the establishment features signature attractions including Chenshan Botanic Garden, Tianmashan Mountain, etc.
09. FANTASYLAND HOTEL, CANADA
As the name suggests, the theme hotel in North America is inspired by fictional outer space, regions, and mythologies. The hotel features rooms entailing themes like the Roman era, Polynesia, Victorian coach, pirate, igloo, and many more. The multiple-themed hotel enlivens fantasies that have always surrounded us extraordinarily and creatively.
10. OTTOMAN CAVE SUITES, TURKEY
Along with thrilling hot-air balloon rides, cities in Turkey like Cappadocia are known for fascinating cave hotels. One such unique hotel is the Ottoman Cave Suites in Nevşehir. The luxury hotel features rooms built in the form of caves. The warm and cosy design entailed rugged, beige walls, stone beds, and the mesmerizing view of hot-air balloons from the terraced restaurant of the hotel.
11. JUMBO STAY, SWEDEN
Jumbo Stay in Stockholm has devised a way in which aviophobes will now be able to stay inside an aircraft without panicking. Jumbo Stay, one of the unique hotels in the world, is built inside an inoperative Boeing 747-200 jetliner. Located near Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport, the hotel features accommodations like cockpit suites.
12. VILLA CASA CASUARINA, US
Experience a one-of-a-kind, regal hospitality in a mansion at the Villa Casa Casuarina in Miami. The former Versace mansion doubled up as a chic, luxury hotel in Miami. The Victorian-style mansion, inlaid with rich decor and furnishings, houses several historical artefacts and effigies that elaborate on several rich cultures and histories from across the world.
13. HOTEL COSTA VERDE, COSTA RICA
If it is too mainstream to live in a suite with walls, spend a night in a suite built in a refurbished 1965 vintage jetliner. Continuing to pamper travellers even after retiring from flying duties, Hotel Costa Verde features a 727 Fuselage Home built inside a 727 Boeing aircraft in the Costa Rican forest. Surrounded by surreal ocean views and the gorgeous solitude of the wilderness, the hotel provides an extraordinary experience of a treehouse built inside an abandoned aircraft.
14. HOTEL PALACIO DE SAL, BOLIVIA
The flat salt plains of Bolivia are one of the prime attractions of the country. To gather an all-around experience, stay in a peculiar hotel made entirely out of salt. Situated on the shores of the scenic Salar de Uyuni, Hotel Palacio de Sal pours the wild and surreal aspects of its surroundings into the hotel’s decor and furnishings.
15. ASHFORD CASTLE, IRELAND
Turned into an opulent hotel, the Ashford Castle is the former home of the Guinness family. The 800-year old castle narrates the tale of a bygone era through its walls, decor, furnishings, etc. One of the ideal ways to experience a one-of-a-kind, regal hospitality is by bookmarking Ashford Castle the next time you visit this travel destination.
16. ICEHOTEL, SWEDEN
The world’s first ice hotel is established in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden. The atypical hotel is rebuilt every year with the help of ice slabs, blocks, and snow found near the Torne River. The walls, beds, and other pieces of furniture at the Icehotel are made out of ice. The temperature inside the hotel is maintained below -5 degrees celsius. Guests sleep in thermal sleeping bags on beds covered with hides of reindeers.
17. CROWNE PLAZA, THE USA
The Crowne Plaza in Indianapolis is a haven for train buffs, for it lets the guests live in an actual train car. The unique hotel is built within the country’s first train stations. The muffled whistles of the passing locomotives accentuate the ambience of the hotel. The spacious suite built in the Pullman train car is equipped with upscale modern amenities and luxuries.
18. BOOK AND BED, JAPAN
In the city of Tokyo, bibliophiles can find their ultimate refuge at the Book and Bed Hotel. A typical sojourn where the guests can immerse themselves in books and also enjoy the hospitality. The unusual hotel is built on the concept of ‘a bookstore where you can stay’.
19. LITTLEISLAND LIGHTHOUSE, NORWAY
The Norwegian coast brims with picturesque lighthouses that date back to the 17th century. Although now abandoned, a number of these lighthouses have turned into popular hotels at these travel destinations. One of them is the Littleisland Lighthouse. Surrounded by charcoal, cragged rocks and expansive seascapes, the tiny lighthouse makes for the ultimate hideaway for a reclusive vacation.
20. SEASHELL HOUSE, MEXICO
As the name suggests, the Seashell House in Isle Mujeres, Mexico is a concept hotel. Turning into a perfect, island sojourn, the Seashell House features structures in the shape of seashells. Upon entering this gated property, one will stumble upon a humongous, white seashell-shaped building overlooking a pool.
21. SEXTANTIO LE GROTTE DELLA CIVITA, ITALY
Ensconced in the breathtaking city of Matera in Italy, Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita is the hotel to book to truly soak in the European countryside. The Sassi of Matera, known for its craggy cave swellings, is a World Heritage Site. The cave hotel is restored with almost its complete primordial charm along with supreme hospitality. Bask in the views of one of the most unique landscapes of Europe at the Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita.
22. TREEHOTEL, SWEDEN
Relive your childhood memory of escaping into a treehouse at the Treehotel in Sweden. The unique hotel is located in the quaint town of Harads in Northern Sweden. Featuring stay options like the Birdnest, which camouflages with the surroundings, the hotel has devised this unique concept by infusing modern amenities, comforts, and hospitality along with nature.
23. NO MAN’S FORT, ENGLAND
Plan your secluded holiday at an island hotel featuring 23 spacious bedrooms, bars and lounges, cabarets, rooftop hot tubs, etc. Solent Forts – The No Man’s Fort was designed to prevent any sort of invasion. Such elements are still intact in the structure. For example, the escape route that leads one straight to the sea or the underwater bunker that housed supplies and resources.
24. FINN LOUGH RESORT, NORTHERN IRELAND
At times, living in a bubble may not seem as bad but in a literal sense. Get a sense of ironic wanderlust by living in a bubble hotel at the Finn Lough Resort in Northern Ireland. Sitting right in the lap of nature, the unique hotel is a gateway to some of the best views of the Lough Erne lake.
25. VICEROY LOS CABOS, MEXICO
Boasting a stunning architectural concept, the Viceroy Los Cabos is a unique luxury hotel located at the edge of the Sea of Cortés. The dramatic dreamscape includes a vast, reflective pool overlooked by flaming white buildings. The Mexican modernist design influenced by one-of-a-kind infusions like the signature Viceroy restaurant, Nido, makes the luxury hotel a unique stopover.
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