Woah-tels: beyond bed and comfort?

Mari Lopez

9 years ago

If you are anything like me, an avid expat traveler, then you know that part of the experience is where you stay. Whether you are a budget traveler or an all-luxury socialite, the world offers some quite unique and unusual places to stay while travelling.

I set out to find the most unusual hotels around the world – and I came across some very interesting things. I’ve compiled a list of ten hotels that are definitely unique, not necessarily places I would choose to stay – but as we say in Mexico, en gustos se rompen géneros (each to their own).

With my fear of small, dark spaces this hotel is a big no for me, but anyone looking for a unique experience while in Linz, these concrete (renovated and thankfully cleaned) sewage pipes could be an adventure on their own. The rooms have barely enough space for a bed and a lamp, but they are right by the Danube which is a great plus!
Another sketchy accommodation choice for claustrophobics or anyone afraid of heights. The Harlingen Harbour Crane was a level luffing crane (whatever that means) that was used up until 1996. It hosts accommodation for two people in one room and their website states that whoever stays there can do so at their own risk. Thanks but no thanks.
If you are all about getting back to basics, it doesn’t get more basic than this! This hotel is rated with zero stars because “the only star is you”. It is built within an old bunker and provides just what you need: beds, bathrooms and a butler to bring you your morning coffee.
Budget or in-and-out business travelers love this: check in, wait for instructions, go to locker, use bathhouse and bathroom, use lounge, sleep in a capsule, check out. Easy! Anyone who wants a cheap hotel and a unique experience should go for this. And once again - what is it with people and small spaces? The capsules are big enough to fit you and nothing else.
Anything to do with hobbits is a yes on my list! You can choose between staying in a hobbit-house, a train, an airplane, or in the Waitanic Ship. We’re guessing if you flew to New Zealand and chose the Hobbit Motel, you’re going for the hobbit lifestyle.
Perfect for anyone who wants to sleep in a fishtank! Also, for anyone who loves fish, the ocean and unique experiences (me, me, me!). You can choose between island villas or undersea villas (duh, easy choice!) for your accommodation. Hopefully no scuba divers like creeping around the underwater resort
If you dream of sleeping in a nest like a bird, here is your chance! These one-of-a-kind spheres hang from trees in the rainforest of Vancouver Island. The resort is adults-only, offering nothing but tranquility. While their taste in interior design may be questionable, hanging from trees while you sleep sounds pretty awesome to me.
If you’ve always wanted to sleep in a caravan but couldn’t afford one, now’s your chance! Even though you can’t drive theses caravans around the world like a post-modern non-hipster hippie, you can at least experience the lifestyle in this cute and unique hotel.
These gorgeous igloos are built of glass and have heating inside, so no need to worry about having to build your own igloo out of ice and sleep under a duvet of seal fat.
I have always wondered what goes on inside my dog’s head and now this hotel has answered my question: food and sleep. This unique hotel is shaped like a dog and is decorated all over with toy dogs...cat lovers, keep out.

Well, I don’t know about you, but some of these hotels I will definitely be avoiding, but others I would quite like to experience. Whether you would rather stay high up in the trees or under the sea, these hidden gems will definitely make your stay much more interesting.

Do you have any favourite strange hotels? Let us know in the comments below!

[Images: Foam, Oxlaey.com, Künstlersohn, Peter Woodman, The Land of Shadow, Jegiba, Mahfuz Ahmed, Sean Gallup, Kakslauttanen Ice Resort, Graystock]

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