The 20 Most Unique Hotels on the Planet
Hotel accommodations frequently determine the entire travel experience. A new worldwide selection of groundbreaking accommodation venues has reshaped how hospitality is delivered. These hotels convert regular nights into unforgettable stays by offering underwater lodgings and igloo accommodations.
Lifestyle boutique hotels typically have an occupancy rate of around 68%, while soft brand boutique hotels have an occupancy rate of around 63.3%. According to Hotel Investment Today, food and Beverage operations bring substantial revenue growth to unique hotel properties, including boutique hotels and lifestyle hotel accommodation facilities.
These twenty extraordinary hotels exist throughout the planet, fusing imaginative designs, immersive storytelling, and distinctive locations to generate exceptional experiences.
Icehotel | Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
The Torne River feeds Jukkasjärvi, where the annual construction of the Icehotel begins to welcome visitors to Sweden. The worldwide artistic community brings their talents to create elaborate ice sculptures and halls of sculptural art at Icehotel.
Visit Sweden mentions that sleeping at the Icehotel requires guests to lie on beds of ice covered by reindeer hides and immerse themselves in thermal sleeping bags for warmth. You can witness the aurora borealis from the vicinity for an otherworldly bonus.
Costa Verde’s 727 Fuselage Suite | Costa Rica
Costa Verde in Costa Rica houses an exotic jungle retreat in a transformed Boeing 727 vintage fuselage. The fuselage suite’s treetop location provides guests with ocean panoramas, locally made wood furniture, and a terrace where sloths and monkeys appear frequently.
The accommodation brings together a flight-inspired atmosphere while sitting in a natural setting.
No Man’s Fort | Portsmouth, England
Boat travel provides access to this island luxury retreat, where a Victorian sea defense establishment now exists. This off-Portsmouth-coast fortress offers guests access to hot tubs, extravagant suites, and laser tag entertainment.
The ocean waves encircle this fort to turn an original military facility into an extravagant place of leisure.
Giraffe Manor | Nairobi, Kenya
Giraffe Manor in Nairobi offers visitors mesmerizing accommodations and a jaw-dropping sight of giraffes outside the windows during breakfast hours.
The boutique hotel welcomes endangered Rothschild giraffes, which freely traverse its property. Being a guest at this establishment provides grandeur and animal preservation opportunities, enabling you to interact with African wildlife delightfully.
The Manta Resort & Underwater Room | Pemba Island, Tanzania
The Manta Resort features a submerged underwater accommodation that rests beneath the ocean waters of Pemba Island in Tanzania.
When guests reach their room, they see a 360° encircling view of beautiful marine organisms below. The lounge decks above the water’s surface allow guests to see ocean horizons and stars in the night sky.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort East Village | Finland
A sleepful comfort in your warm bed lets you appreciate the dancing Northern Lights through glass walls. You have the chance to experience this at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
Finnish Lapland houses these glass igloos, which present perfect minimalistic coziness alongside enchanting natural light displays and are ideal destinations for romance or magic.
Dog Bark Park Inn | Idaho, USA
Sweet Willy, the world’s largest beagle, operates as a functional bed and breakfast establishment. The Cottonwood-based hotel in Idaho welcomes families with dog-themed rooms that blend comfort with dog-lending charm to delight pet enthusiasts.
The accommodation has a cute, attractive design, showing original thinking and absolute cuteness.
Treehotel | Harads, Sweden
The Treehotel provides elevated treehouses positioned six meters in the air with contemporary and uncluttered layouts.
Each structure, including the reflective mirror cabin and the captivating Bird’s Nest, provides an entirely different experience of exploring the serene forests of Sweden.
Skylodge Adventure Suites | Sacred Valley, Peru
CNBC mentions that the Skylodge Adventure Suites are suspended from the cliffside at 1,200 feet in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The trek to your lodging involves climbing and ziplining activities, although you will experience breathtaking views of the valley, which offer compensation for the effort.
Palacio de Sal | Uyuni, Bolivia
The Palacio de Sal hotel in Bolivia has its entire presence from salt blocks at the border where the Salar de Uyuni salt flats extend. The whole hotel structures at Palacio de Sal use salt blocks originating from their local salt region.
Guests can experience pure luxury within a simple and elegant minimalist atmosphere and enjoy the chefs’ salt-themed dishes.
Propeller Island City Lodge | Berlin | Germany
Berlin stands out as an art hub, while the Propeller Island City Lodge establishes itself as an extreme example of artistic expression. This establishment transforms each accommodation space into imaginative artistic displays featuring inverted dimensions and floating bedroom objects. Unusual Hotels of the World describes it as more than just a hotel—a living work of art by artist Lars Stroschen.
Guests don’t simply stay here; they become part of the artwork. Each room offers a one-of-a-kind experience, featuring upside-down furniture, mirrored walls, and immersive soundscapes that elevate the artistic atmosphere. The establishment is an accommodation venue and art showcase, appealing to individuals who love art.
Sun Cruise Hotel | South Korea
You can now experience cruise ship life by stepping off a vessel from dry land at the Sun Cruise Resort. The Jeongdongjin cliff overlooks the Sun Cruise Resort, which presents itself as a cruise ship hotel. During the visit, guests can enjoy ocean panoramas, hotel luxuries, and attractive design elements rivaling ocean liners.
Henn-na Hotel | Nagasaki, Japan
The futuristic Henn-na Hotel presents visitors with a robot reception service led by dinosaurs. Robotic staff handles every service aspect at this Nagasaki hotel, including reception and meal delivery functions. The facility offers an intriguing demonstration of how technology can enhance human hospitality services.
Montana Magica Lodge | Chile
Hidden in the heart of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, Montana Magica Lodge is a volcano-shaped eco-hotel with cascading waterfalls flowing down its exterior. This Patagonian marvel combines surreal architecture with incredible biodiversity.
Free Spirit Spheres | Vancouver Island, Canada
Nestled amid towering trees on Vancouver Island’s rainforest, Free Spirit Spheres offers spherical treehouse rooms suspended above the ground. They sway gently with the breeze, offering a peaceful, nature-connected retreat.
Das Park Hotel | Austria
This quirky Austrian hotel repurposes industrial concrete sewage pipes into minimalist sleeping pods. These innovative “tube hotels” offer a unique yet comfortable lodging experience, often operating on a “pay-what-you-wish” model. The concept has even expanded to Germany, with a similar setup at Bernepark, near Essen.
Each pod offers basic amenities like a double bed and cozy lighting—an experiment in sustainable, functional design.
Hobbit Guest House | New Zealand
Feel like stepping into Middle-earth? Expedia says New Zealand’s Hobbit Motel features underground rooms inspired by Tolkien’s whimsical world. Think round doors, earthy accents, and charming interiors—all while staying true to the land of the Hobbits.
Muraka Underwater Villa | Maldives
At Muraka, part of the Conrad Maldives, you’ll sleep beneath waves in a fully submerged villa. With a 180° acrylic dome surrounding your bedroom, this luxurious retreat immerses guests in the Maldives’ vibrant marine ecosystem.
Hang Nga Guesthouse (Crazy House) | Vietnam
With its Gaudí-like, surreal design, Hang Nga Guesthouse is a Dr. Seuss fever dream in Da Lat, Vietnam. Its organic shapes, eccentric rooms, and art-inspired experience make it cozy and bizarre.
Null Stern Hotel | Teufen, Switzerland
Can a hotel be one with nature? Null Stern Hotel says yes. This bunk-bed-style hotel removes traditional walls, roofs, and ceilings to create rooms framed only by mountains and stars. Business Insider reports that staying there is more like camping. It’s minimalist, it’s breathtaking, and it brings you closer to the world around you.
Each of these hotels pushes boundaries in hospitality. Some innovate through sustainability, others through stunning architecture or their connection to nature. But they all share one thing in common—they tell stories, leaving guests with memories to last a lifetime.
As an adventure seeker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply looking for something different, these 20 unique hotels reimagine what it means to travel. Will one of these incredible destinations make it onto your bucket list?
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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