Top 10 Most Uniquely Designed Hotels in the World

Costa Verde Hotel is nestled within a lush tropical rainforest, located between Manuel Antonio National Park and the stunning Pacific coastline. Just 3 miles from Quepos village and a 2-hour drive from San Jose International Airport, Costa Verde is an ideal destination for a quick getaway or for those seeking a comfortable base for adventure tourism, eco-tourism, sports fishing, surfing, or the serene relaxation found on the legendary white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park.

Situated only 300 meters from the beach with views of the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Verde boasts three cliffside swimming pools with sunbathing terraces, spacious rooms, studios, and wooden cottages. Each room features a balcony with sweeping views of either the national park’s majestic coastline or the tropical rainforest canopy, home to toucans, sloths, howler monkeys, and vibrant birds. A standout feature of the hotel is the renovated 727 airplane fuselage, once a Boeing 727 that traveled the world. This two-bedroom airplane suite offers fully equipped accommodations with attention to detail and a bird’s-eye view that makes you feel like you’re soaring through the sky.

Location: Costa Rica

Website: https://costaverde.com/

Village Flottant de Pressac offers charming wooden cabins floating on a serene lake. Located in Vienne, just a 7-minute drive from Pressac, this unique retreat features an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi in common areas. The eco-friendly cabins and lodges, numbering around 30, float on the water within a protected natural aquatic zone. The accommodations come in various shapes and sizes, including African-style huts and safari tents, moored between ponds or elevated on stilts.

Surrounded by water, each room at Village Flottant de Pressac comes with a private terrace equipped with chairs and a table. It also offers dry toilets, while a shared shower is available in the main building. Linen is provided, but the beds are not made upon arrival. Village Flottant provides a memorable and extraordinary water-based hotel experience. Guests can enjoy traditional French cuisine at the on-site restaurant, BBQ facilities, and a bar. Breakfast can be served on your terrace. The surrounding area offers opportunities for cycling, hiking, and fishing right on the premises.

Location: France

Website: https://village-flottant-pressac.com/

Experience camping like never before on Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni in a luxurious geodesic dome, offering the full comforts of a hotel with exquisite interior design at Kachi Lodge. Set at the base of the majestic Tunupa Volcano, this one-of-a-kind hotel features a solar-powered rotating dome for stargazing, all set at an altitude of 3,600 meters. In addition to the main dome lounge, there is a smaller dome shelter housing a state-of-the-art kitchen, where resident chefs prepare daily meals inspired by Bolivia's rich biodiversity.

Kachi Lodge is made up of several space station-style domes, each featuring large panoramic windows that offer breathtaking views of the salar and the starlit sky. Each of the six domes includes a spacious 28m2 bedroom, a comfortable bed, and a private bathroom with hot water. The interiors are adorned with large hanging lamps, oversized sofas with numerous cushions, and recycled wooden furniture, creating a cozy, eco-friendly, and unique atmosphere. Outside, the wide terrace features wooden dining tables and coffee tables—an ideal place to soak up the sun at 3,600 meters above sea level.

Location: Bolivia

Website: https://www.kachilodge.com/work-in-progress.en

Palacio de Sal, which translates to “Salt Palace,” is the world’s first salt hotel, welcoming guests since 1998. One of the most unique hotels in the world, it is located at the edge of Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, in Colchani (25 km from Uyuni town). The hotel’s prime location makes it the perfect starting point to explore the salt flats. The design integrates salt into every element of its structure, blending seamlessly with the spectacular surrounding environment.

The Palacio de Sal infrastructure and furnishings are made from solid salt bricks sourced from the Uyuni salt lake. Walls, ceilings, furniture, and more are crafted from salt, while salt sculptures created by Bolivian artists add artistic flair in public areas. Wooden walkways and rich red furnishings create a warm atmosphere, preventing the surrounding salt environment from feeling too barren. The cozy rooms combine traditional Andean influences with modern, sleek, yet classic and elegant design.

Location: Bolivia

Website: https://palaciodesal.com.bo/en/

Santos Express is a unique train-based guesthouse located on Santos Beach in Mossel Bay. It’s one of the iconic accommodations on the Garden Route, offering travelers a one-of-a-kind experience aboard a real train. Overlooking the beautiful Santos Beach, the Santos Express features 31 rooms, each with stunning sea views. Known locally as 'The Train', this distinctive guesthouse provides an unforgettable, romantic experience just 30 meters from the ocean.

Each cabin in the Santos Express includes four beds or a coupe with two beds. The train consists of several compartments, with five cabins in total, a shared shower, and two bathrooms. The fifth carriage offers a dormitory-style room with 16 beds, perfect for solo travelers. Santos Express is also home to the Fork and Train Restaurant, which specializes in fresh seafood, naturally, given its seaside location. The menu includes fresh oysters, garlic snails, and ostrich salad.

Location: Mossel Bay, South Africa

Website: https://www.santosexpress.co.za/

Nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, Treehouse Lodge is a dream retreat for wildlife and nature lovers. Each of the ten treehouses offers spectacular views and comes with its own private bathroom. These treehouses are handcrafted with care and feature cozy beds and bamboo furnishings. Surrounded by mosquito nets, they provide a peaceful and comfortable stay. Guests can enjoy three meals a day, inspired by Peruvian cuisine, served in the main lodge. From the treehouses, you can spot monkeys, long-tailed parrots, and toucans in the nearby jungle.

Treehouse Lodge was designed with sustainability at its core. The lodge is built by hand, without heavy machinery, to minimize damage to the surrounding trees and plant life. Solar panels provide power, and much of the water used is sourced from the river, filtered through a four-step process. Treehouse Lodge also supports the local communities by providing clothing, medical supplies, and clean drinking water to a nearby village. Open year-round, it’s the perfect place to retreat into the jungle whenever you wish!

Location: Amazon Rainforest, Peru

Website: https://treehouselodge.com/

Manta Resort is located on the fashionable Zanzibar island, famous for its beautiful beaches and Stone Town. Pemba is especially popular for diving and is a serene destination for those seeking peace. Manta Resort is located on the northwest side of Pemba Island, tucked away in a secluded spot surrounded by lush forests on one side and white sandy beaches with vibrant coral reefs on the other. The resort's floating villa features an underwater room in the ocean, positioned 250 meters offshore within the Blue Hole, a unique spot within the coral reef. The glass windows offer stunning views of the rich marine life. Guests can even spend the night on the rooftop of their floating villa, enjoying the breathtaking starry sky.

The villa’s deck is where the boat drops you off, and the living room and bathroom are located inside the floating house. The upper floor features a shaded area with seating, perfect for daytime relaxation or stargazing at night. The room is located in a “blue hole” within a live coral reef, making it a haven for snorkelers and divers. The bedroom, submerged below the surface, offers panoramic views of the colorful fish and occasionally other sea creatures swimming past your windows. Spend your day observing the marine life without even needing to dive in. The rooftop is a perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while watching the sunset.

Location: Pemba Island, Zanzibar

Website: https://themantaresort.com/

Set on the Utsuwa Ara Fell mountain slopes in Lapland, Finland, Golden Crown Levin Iglut offers a unique experience with its glass igloos and luxury cabins nestled in the Arctic wilderness, making it one of the best spots to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights. If you enjoy the coziness of watching snowflakes fall outside your window, Levin Iglut is the perfect destination. Each igloo is beautifully decorated and equipped with heated, fog-free glass, air conditioning, a kitchenette, shower, and toilet. The main highlight of staying at Levin Iglut is the chance to marvel at the aurora borealis dancing across the sky above.

Surrounded by glass, Golden Crown Levin Iglut provides guests with the best possible seats in the world to witness nature's most stunning light show. The Northern Lights season runs from late August to April. The Aurora Sky restaurant is ideal for those seeking Scandinavian cuisine, and it certainly won’t disappoint. Guests can dine on the upper floor for uninterrupted views of the sky or enjoy the cozy atmosphere by the fireplace on the ground level. The restaurant is open to both guests and non-guests, so reservations are highly recommended. The igloos also come with a basic kitchen so you can cook your own meals, and there is room service available if you prefer to order food.

Location: Finland

Website: https://leviniglut.net/

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is a popular destination in Thailand. Located on a hill overlooking the Mekong and Ruak Rivers at the meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, this unique resort allows guests to immerse themselves in nature. Visitors can relax in the 'Jungle Bubble' pods, offering an unparalleled opportunity to live alongside the majestic elephants that roam the area. These transparent pods are ideal for observing the gentle giants in their natural habitat. Anantara Golden Triangle is renowned globally for its transparent jungle bubbles in the heart of the Golden Triangle.

The pods are designed by Eye In The Sky and crafted from high-tech polyester fabric using the exclusive Precontraint Serge Ferrari technology. Each 22-square-meter bubble is fully equipped with air conditioning, a bathroom, a king-size bed, and dome room service. The pods are elevated on a platform and surrounded by a fence, ensuring safety from wildlife. During their stay at Anantara Golden Triangle, guests can also participate in a 'Walking with Giants' tour, where they join a veterinarian or biologist to learn about the behavior and cognition of elephants.

Location: Thailand

Website: https://www.anantara.com/en/golden-triangle-chiang-rai?gclid=