I am a sucker for all things unusual so it was a joy to do the research for this article. There are a lot of unusual hotels out there but when coming up with the top ten, I wanted to go with hotels that offered a theme or were genuinely intriguing – places I could imagine the average person would be interested in staying. If I had an unlimited supply of money, I’d definitely spend a few nights at all ten of the unusual hotels on this list although I have a hunch there would be more than one I’d never want to leave.
image source: Wikipedia
10: Capsule Hotels
Location: Japan
Open: $25-$50 per night (depending on the hotel you choose)
Cost Per Night: Varies
Really looking for a modern, stripped back hotel experience? Japan’s Capsule Inn Osaka (or any of the hotels like it) might just be the right option for you. In this one, your ‘room’ is made of fiber glass and plastic and generally measures only 2×1 meters. There are now several different ‘capsule’ hotels throughout Japan, offering an affordable and unique hotel that still manages to offer some basic comforts. Most of these capsules feature televisions, wireless internet, electronics consoles and privacy curtains or screens. Most capsule hotels forbid eating or smoking in the capsules but do offer restaurants or other entertainment options on site. Obviously, basic design of capsule hotels doesn’t really lend itself to private bathrooms so you’ll often be sharing your bathroom with other hotel guests. Even so, it can be an excellent option for someone who isn’t afraid to forgo the luxuries of regular hotels in favor of a more unique, more affordable option.
image source: www.amusingplanet.com
09: Alcatraz Hotel
Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany
Open: Year Round
Cost Per Night: $66 USD
I can see the appeal of this one. I really can … kind of. This one isn’t just a hotel. It’s an experience. While I wasn’t sure about the whole premise at first, the more I think about it, the more it grows on me. Each guest that checks in is treated to a pair of striped pajamas and taken to their room. There are other, similar hotels that offer a more rugged experience (you eat bread and water, are taken to your room in handcuffs and are forced to surrender modern luxuries like cell phones and laptops) but I think I’d prefer this softer take on the prison theme. I’m not sure I could deal with the toilet being right at the foot of the bed but I still think it’d be fun for a few nights.
image source: unusualhotelsoftheworld.com
08: Capsule Hotel
Location: Den Haag, Netherlands
Open: Year Round
Cost Per Night: $80 USD
Ever wanted to spend the night in an oil rig survival pod? Now you can! I’m not sure I’d go for this one either as I prefer something a little more spacious but I have to admit I do find it rather intriguing. While these survival pods were built in 1972, they were first used as a hotel in 2004 when artist Denis Oudendijk decided using them as such would make an interesting art project. Apparently he was right but it wasn’t just an interesting art project. Business took off. There are now similar hotels in Amsterdam, Belgium and France, all created by Oudendijk.
image source: 1000lonelyplaces.com
07: Jumbo Stay
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Open: Year Round
Cost Per Night: $70-$220 USD
This unusual hotel offers you the chance to spend the night on a converted Boeing 747-200 jumbo jet located only ten minutes by foot from the check-in desks at Arlanda Airport. If you want a private bathroom though, you’ll have to opt for the cockpit suite which features the aircraft/hotel’s only ensuite bathroom. To be honest, I’d probably find the rooms a bit cramped but I have to admit I wouldn’t mind checking it out anyway. It’s such a unique, interesting concept that could really make for some great vacation memories. I think I’d have to opt for the pricier cockpit cabin (shown in the photo above). It just looks way too interesting up there with all those instruments intact.
image source: thetreehouseresort.in
06: The Tree House Hotel
Location: Jaipur, India
Open: Year Round
Cost Per Night: Varies
Everything about this hotel is designed to bring people back to nature and allow them to escape some of the modern things that cause us to forget how beautiful nature can be. Nature walks, birding and jeep safaris are just some of the things you can do while you visit this beautiful resort. Don’t worry though. Not all of the modern amenities are left behind. Feel like spending part of your vacation relaxing by a swimming pool? The Tree House Hotel can oblige. Even so, why wouldn’t you want to get a little closer to nature in a hotel that is situated on Nature Farms in the Syari Valley? You still get air conditioning, plasma screen televisions with satellite television and WiFi but you still get to be in a beautiful natural setting. The best of both worlds? I think so. I’m quite certain I’d never want to leave.
image source: tripadvisor.com
05: Aydinli Cave House
Location: Nevsehir, Turkey
Open: Year Round
Cost Per Night: $98 USD and up.
This hotel is, quite simply, a work of art – offering stunning views and a truly unique hotel experience. Conveniently located just moments from the village of Goreme, each of the rooms is decorated with locally made rugs and family antiques. The hotel itself is carved from natural stone and is family run, offering a comfortable experience for your stay. The hotel also offers all of the amenities you would expect in a modern hotel including: WiFi, central heating, a direct phone line, complimentary tea or coffee, a hair dryer, a buffet breakfast and laundry service.
image source: eccentrichotels.com
04: Sand Hotel
Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Open: n/a
Cost Per Night: n/a
Located on Weymouth Beach in the town of Dorset, the Sand Hotel is the very first sand castle hotel. To be perfectly honest, I have no idea if this structure is still sanding as it was only expected to last as long as the first heavy rain and that was back in 2008 when it was built, but I still couldn’t write this list without including this hotel, even if it was only around briefly. Made out of 1,000 tonnes of sand it took a week to build with a team of buildings working 12-14 days for that entire week. In the end, though, they’d created something remarkable. With beds made out of sand, the only real drawback was the lack of bathroom facilities – something that would probably get old pretty quickly.
image source: loveinspirecreate.com
03: Poseidon Resorts
Location: Fiji
Open: Varies
Cost Per Night: Available in well long packages starting at $15,000 USD/per week for one person
Out of all the hotels on this list, Poseidon Resorts is likely the one I’d like to visit the most so naturally it’s also the one that would cost the most. Even so, if I ever win the lottery, this hotel would be my very first stop. It’s absolutely breathtaking. Billed as the world’s first underwater hotel, the rooms are fully open so you can watch marine life swim outside of your windows. Aside from the incredible setting, the hotel features all the luxuries you would expect of a high class hotel including two fine dining establishments, plenty of activities, a spa, gourmet meals and much more. As an added bonus, guests receive a professionally produced photo album featuring photos from your stay. Yes, this is a hotel I’d gladly fork out the extra money to visit for a week. I can’t think of anything more relaxing.
image source: hoteldeglace-canada.com
02: Hotel de Glace
Location: Quebec, Canada
Open: January 5th – March 24th
Cost Per Night: Multiple Packages Available Starting at $350-400 USD
While the Hotel de Glace certainly isn’t everyone’s idea of a beautiful vacation destination, it certainly has its appeal. The actual design of the hotel often varies from year to year but it always offers a unique experience which is really what makes it such an exciting destination. Some certainly may not be able to get past the cold temperatures, it’s does, at least, offer heated bathrooms. Although the rooms are certainly cold, they’re still cozy thanks to the mattresses, fur blankets and arctic sleeping bags offered atop the beds. It’s also worth mentioning that Hotel de Glace has a gorgeous wedding chapel for those looking for a truly unique way to tie the knot.
image source: hotelskenya.com
01: The Giraffe Manor
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Open: Year Round
Cost Per Night: $500 USD and up.
Built on 115 acres of land in 1932, The Giraffe Manor opened to the public in 1984 as a hotel. So what makes this hotel so special? Well, first you have the view. Staying at this unusual hotel means taking advantage of a stunning view of Mt. Kilimanjaro as well as the Ngong Hills. The biggest selling point of this one though are the namesake giraffes. After their natural habitat was destroyed, the Rothschild giraffes were given sanctuary at the manor, allowed to run free and poke their heads into the windows of the building where hotel guests can feed and photograph them. For that reason alone, I would like to stay at this hotel more than any of the others on the list.
