Accommodation is one of the most important things to consider when planning a trip. But if traditional hotels aren’t your thing, these unique hotels might be a better option. From high-soaring pods in Latin America to an underwater hotel in Zanzibar to cave-like rooms, these 13 quirky hotels are truly out of the ordinary.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
Courtesy Conrad Maldives
If you’re planning a holiday to the Maldives, you’ll love Conrad Resort. Escape everyday life by staying at an underwater hotel with glass walls, offering incredible views of the ocean and marine life. If you want luxury, the Maldives is it!
Skylodge Adventure Suites, Peru
Courtesy Nature Vive
There are tons of cool hotels in the world, but this unique accommodation is not for the weak! Set in transparent capsules suspended 400 feet above the Sacred Valley in Cusco, this is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sleep in a pod at the top of a Peruvian mountain. Boasting unbeatable views, you can take in the skyline at night while admiring your surroundings. If you’re wondering how to get up there, guests must climb a vertical via Ferrata or hike an intrepid trail through ziplines to reach the capsules.
The Manta Resort, Tanzania
Courtesy The Manta Resort
A floating underwater hotel, the Manta Resort is the first one of its kind in Africa, offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Located off the coast of Pemba Island, it’s one of many Zanzibar hotels, but here guests can have an aquatic experience and sleep in an underwater bedroom with nothing but coral and fishes in sight. This hotel is perfect if you’re looking for a naturally crafted sanctuary on an idyllic beach.
Hotel Costa Verde, Costa Rica
Courtesy Costa Verde
Why stay at a traditional hotel when you can stay in a converted aeroplane perched on a 50-foot pedestal? This former Boeing 727 has been transformed into a luxurious two-bedroom suite in the middle of the jungle of Costa Rica. The Cockpit Cottage has all the amenities you’d find in traditional accommodation and offers stunning ocean views in a secluded yet tropical setting.
Giraffe Manor, Kenya
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Giraffe Manor is one of those places that looks unreal. But this hotel, located on 140 acres of land in Nairobi and home to endangered Rothschild’s giraffes, is very much real. As a guest, you can enjoy your breakfast while feeding the long-necked animal as they poke through the window. Or you can hang around them as they roam freely in the yard.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
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Interested in Northern Lights holidays? Or perhaps you’ve always dreamt about experiencing the Midnight Sun. At this arctic hotel in the Finnish Lapland, guests can stay in glass igloos and gaze at the stars and aurora lights from the comfort of their beds. Surrounded by forests, you can immerse in nature in a way you’ve never done before.
Matices Hotel de Barricas, Mexico
Looking for bucket list ideas? How about sleeping inside a tequila barrel? If you’re looking to travel to Mexico, why not stay at Matices Hotel de Barricas in Tequila (yes, it’s an actual city)? Elevate your Mexico travel itinerary by staying in a spacious, air-conditioned room with access to cultural activities and tequila tastings at a nearby Tequila brewery. If you’re on the hunt for the best tequila, chances are you’ll find it there!
Icehotel, Sweden
Courtesy Icehotel Sweden
A unique hotel made entirely of ice and snow, Icehotel has been a Swedish landmark for 34 years. Rebuilt every year, it’s the world’s first ice hotel, inviting guests to sleep in thermal sleeping bags on ice beds. If spotting the Northern Lights is high on your list, you’d be happy to know you can catch the auroras from this Kiruna hotel in Northern Sweden.
Sekeping Serendah, Malaysia
Courtesy Sekeping Serendah Retreats
Have you been dreaming about spending a night in a rainforest? You can cross that off your list at Sekeping Serendah, a hidden oasis less than an hour’s drive from central Kuala Lumpur. The natural retreat features glass sheds, allowing you to immerse in the green, leafy surroundings from the comfort of your room.
Jumbo Stay, Sweden
Courtesy Jumbo Stay
There are a range of unusual hotels in Sweden and Jumbo Stay is one of them. The aviation-themed hotel is a decommissioned Boeing 747 jumbo jet near Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport. Stay in a suite or a standard room if you want a decent option. Or go for a shared dorm room if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative. The hotel is best suitable for travellers looking to be close to the airport after exploring the Swedish capital.
Free Spirit Spheres, Canada
Courtesy Free Spirit Spheres
I bet you’ve never been in a treehouse like this one! Free Spirit Spheres is a hotel of spherical treehouses suspended in the forest on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Many travellers can’t get enough of Canada’s diverse and breathtaking nature. And, as a nature lover, you’ll love this distinctive hotel as it allows guests to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a moment of tranquillity.
Ladera Resort, St Lucia
Courtesy Ladera Resort
You can make your dreamy vacation to St Lucia extra special in many ways, and staying at Ladera Resort is one of them. The hotel is located on a lush volcano ridge 1,000 feet above the sea, boasting open-air rooms with scenic views of the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea. The hotel is situated on a former cocoa plantation and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Fairy Chimney Inn, Turkey
These cave dwellings turned into an eccentric boutique hotel in the beautiful region of Cappadocia, Turkey. Carefully restored, the cave rooms give a glimpse into Turkish history, specifically the Byzantine times, with their authentic design. However, despite its historic look, you can expect functions like under-floor radiation heating and western showers. Immerse in the culture and nibble on traditional Turkish food as you’re transported to a different world.
