Buzz
Tourism accommodation is a thriving global industry. Turn on your computer or switch on the TV, and you'll likely see ads for the 'best hotels.' Most travelers typically seek the basics—comfort, reliable Wi-Fi, breakfast, and possibly a pool or spa.
In their quest to attract tourists, hotel owners around the globe have devised some truly unique and imaginative lodging concepts. Some cater to the adventurous, while others are geared toward children and the young at heart. Whether it's a UFO, a sandcastle, or an oversized beagle, some hotels offer one-of-a-kind experiences, like staying in a volcano or even a giant toadstool.
Here are ten of the most peculiar and imaginative hotels that will inspire your wanderlust.
10. Stay Inside a Giant Bookshelf
Many of us love to snuggle up with a great book before drifting off to sleep. But in Tokyo, book enthusiasts can actually sleep the night away inside a bookshelf.
The first 'Book and Bed' opened its doors in Ikebukuro in 2015, offering a peaceful and unconventional lodging experience. The idea of sleeping in a bookshelf quickly gained popularity, and now these unique hostels are available in six locations across Japan, with a vast collection of books for guests to choose from before settling in to read through the night.
The private sleeping pods are surrounded by plywood bookshelves and come with basic bedding. The largest of the cubicles measure just 1.8 by 1.2 meters (6 ft x 4 ft), so you'll definitely be 'curling up' with your book for the night.
9. Spend the Night Inside a Toadstool or Tree Stump
Ever dreamed of falling asleep inside a mystical fairy ring? In Sweden, a hotel lets guests sleep in fantasy toadstools and tree stumps. The Norrqvarn Hotel, located by the Gota Canal, may seem unconventional at first glance, but it offers a truly quirky stay with some unusual cabins.
A chainsaw artist has created troll-worthy rooms out of wood, concrete, and plywood, nestled within the grounds of an old mill. Red and white spotted mushrooms or twisted tree stumps offer alternative accommodations by the canal. These cabins look like something pulled straight out of a fairytale.
Inside, the cabins are surprisingly cozy, with enough space to sleep up to four people. Considering the chilly Swedish winters, this might be a magical experience best enjoyed during the warmer summer months.
8. The Faralda Crane Hotel
Want to add a dash of thrill to your hotel stay? Guests in Amsterdam can now book a room in a decommissioned crane located in the city's historic industrial district, with the added excitement of bungee-jumping from the top.
Standing 45 meters (148 ft) tall, this crane in Amsterdam-Noord has been transformed into three boutique hotel suites. At the top, you'll find a Jacuzzi and a bungee-jumping platform. Access to the suites is via a glass elevator. But be warned: try not to look down.
Despite its industrial past, the crane now offers 'high-end luxury.' However, it does sway a bit in the wind. Guests even have the chance to operate the crane themselves, swinging it around to get a better view of the city below.
7. The Hang Nga Guesthouse
At first glance, the Hang Nga Guesthouse in Da Lat, Vietnam, might seem like something from a nightmare. However, inside, it takes inspiration from Alice in Wonderland and various children’s stories, with no straight lines and a curving layout reminiscent of an Escher drawing.
Known locally as the Crazy House, this unique guesthouse was designed by a Vietnamese architect and looks like a twisted, ancient tree from the outside. Inside, it resembles a mystical forest with spiral staircases and bridges that connect different levels, creating a maze of rooms and garden paths. As you wander through its tunneled halls, you’ll encounter toadstools, spiderwebs, and even eagles, all scattered across the ten themed rooms. There’s certainly no shortage of things to dream about.
6. Silo Stay
At first glance, you might mistake a serviced apartment complex outside Christchurch, New Zealand, for a grain storage silo—certainly not the type of place you'd expect to stay for the night. However, these shiny, round silos have been creatively repurposed into a one-of-a-kind accommodation experience.
From the outside, the nine grain silos appear to be an unlikely choice for a hotel. Yet, they've been transformed into eco-friendly, award-winning lodgings. The ground floor of each silo features a living area with a kitchen, while the upper level has a bedroom and bathroom. The silo's hatch opens to offer a starry view from your bed, doubling as an effective cooling system during warmer months.
5. Spend the Night in a UFO
For science fiction and space fans, spending the night in a UFO could be a dream come true. Several UFO-themed hotels have popped up across the globe, offering a unique stay for sci-fi enthusiasts or anyone looking for a truly out-of-this-world experience.
A Welsh couple bought a container from the London Olympics and transformed it into a UFO-themed Airbnb. The ‘Spodonic’s’ decor features space suits and LED lights to give the accommodation an otherworldly atmosphere.
Another UFO experience can be found in a Swedish-themed hotel, which also allows guests to sleep in a bird’s nest or a giant bauble suspended from a tree. Meanwhile, in China, a ‘UFOtel’ offers guests the chance to sleep in a UFO that’s partially submerged, offering underwater views.
4. Tree Pods in Cornwall
For those not afraid of hanging in the air overnight, a tree pod could be the perfect option. The Lost Meadow Tree Pods in Cornwall, UK, are bubble-shaped rooms perched three meters (10 ft) above the ground.
Tree tents offer a unique blend of “glamping” and hotel luxury. While you’ll sleep in a standard bed, the kitchen and bathroom facilities are situated on the ground below. The tents themselves are inspired by the early designs of airships. To reach your room, you’ll ascend a narrow staircase, where you’ll find a bed and a wood burner to keep warm during chilly nights.
A section of the wall can be pulled back to reveal stunning views of the forest or let you witness the sunrise alongside your local wildlife neighbors. However, to attend to more practical matters like using the restroom or preparing your morning coffee, you’ll need to step outside your pod and visit the communal kitchen.
3. Reserve a Night in a Sandcastle
As children, many of us dreamed of living inside the sandcastles we built on the beach during our summer vacations. In the Netherlands, you can now bring that childhood fantasy to life by booking one of two specially designed sandcastles for an overnight stay. These temporary sandcastles were first built in 2015 as part of an annual sandcastle festival in the inland towns of Oss and Sneek—strangely, neither of which is anywhere near the sea.
Every summer, Zandhotel’s sculptors reconstruct elaborate sandcastles, offering guests the rare opportunity to stay in rooms built entirely from sand. These sandcastles feature grand turrets and surrounding moats. To prevent them from crumbling, both the walls and ceilings are specially treated, and the rooms are decorated with intricate sand sculptures. To avoid getting sand on your sheets, the floors are covered with rugs.
2. Volcano Hotel
In the heart of the Chilean rainforests, encountering the occasional volcano is expected. However, for a truly unique experience, visitors can stay in a vine-covered mountain, much like a scene from a fantasy novel. Montana Magica Lodge, situated in a remote nature reserve, features a waterspout that mimics a volcanic eruption, enhancing the otherworldly atmosphere.
Although it may appear natural, the conical structure of this hotel is man-made, with greenery planted across its walls. Tiny, gabled windows peek out from between the plants in the guest rooms. Guests can enjoy amenities like hot tubs carved from tree stumps and a golf course winding through the lush rainforest.
Upon arrival, you might half-expect a hobbit or an elf from the woods to appear and welcome you. Guests must cross a swaying rope bridge to reach the rainforest hotel. Hopefully, there’s no mythical troll waiting on the other side of the bridge.
1. Dog Bark Park Inn
We're all familiar with the expression 'sleeping in the doghouse,' but a bed-and-breakfast in the United States takes that phrase to a whole new level. In Central Idaho, dog enthusiasts can experience the quirky pleasure of staying inside a massive beagle.
The two-story beagle-shaped building, affectionately called 'Sweet Willy' by locals, was built by a couple of woodcarvers who specialized in creating dog sculptures. Their passion eventually led them to design this one-of-a-kind dog-themed lodging.
Functioning as an Airbnb, this guesthouse is completely immersed in a dog-inspired theme, right down to the bone-shaped treats provided to guests. From the top floor, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area, all while gazing from the snout of Willy.
