The Strangest Hotels Around the World: 10 Unbelievable Stays (Number 3 Is Out of the Box!)
Introduction: Why Travelers Are Drawn to Unusual Hotels
In an era where travel is as much about the experience as the destination, the choice of accommodation has evolved from a simple necessity to a central part of the adventure. Modern travelers are increasingly seeking more than just a comfortable bed; they are pursuing memories, stories, and unique perspectives. This shift has given rise to a fascinating niche in the hospitality industry: the unconventional hotel. These establishments, ranging from repurposed industrial structures to architectural marvels in extreme environments, offer an immersive experience that a standard hotel cannot. They cater to a growing desire for novelty and authenticity, providing a backdrop for a truly unforgettable journey. This article explores some of the most unique and strangest hotels in the world, providing a practical guide for those looking to transform their next trip into a bucket list hotel experience.
Selection Criteria
The hotels featured on this list were selected based on a combination of factors designed to highlight true originality and provide a diverse overview of what is available to the adventurous traveler. The primary criteria include:
Conceptual Uniqueness: The core idea behind the hotel is fundamentally different from traditional lodging.
Architectural Design: The structure itself is a primary attraction, whether through its materials, shape, or repurposed nature.
Location: The hotel is situated in an unconventional or extreme environment that is integral to the guest experience.
Guest Experience: The stay offers an activity or perspective that is rare or one-of-a-kind.
The focus is on establishments that are currently operational and bookable, with an emphasis on providing realistic and factual information for potential guests.
1. Icehotel (Jukkasjärvi, Sweden)
The Concept: The Icehotel is a transient work of art and a fully functional hotel, constructed annually from ice and snow sourced from the nearby Torne River. Each winter, artists from around the world are invited to design and sculpt unique "Art Suites," ensuring no two years are the same. The hotel operates in two forms: the classic Icehotel, which melts back into the river each spring, and Icehotel 365, a permanent structure cooled by solar power that allows for a year-round ice experience.
Location and Accessibility: Located in the small village of Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland. The nearest airport is Kiruna (KRN), approximately a 15-minute drive away. The hotel can arrange transfers, and local taxis are available.
Price Range: Varies significantly by room type and season. A standard "Ice Room" can start from approximately $500 USD per night, while elaborate Art Suites can exceed $1,100 USD. "Warm" hotel rooms on the property are also available at a lower price point.
Facilities and Comfort Level: Guests in "cold rooms" sleep in thermal sleeping bags on beds made of ice and snow, topped with reindeer hides. A heated service building, the "Hub," contains bathrooms, showers, saunas, and a lounge for all guests. The hotel recommends a one-night stay in a cold room, complemented by stays in their warm accommodations. On-site restaurants and the famous Icebar (where drinks are served in ice glasses) are available.
Ideal Type of Traveler: Adventurous individuals and couples who are not deterred by cold and are seeking a unique arctic experience. It is also highly suitable for art and design enthusiasts.
The "Strange" Factor: Sleeping in a room maintained at a constant temperature of −5∘C (23∘F), surrounded entirely by ice and snow.
2. Jumbo Stay (Stockholm, Sweden)
The Concept: This hotel offers guests the chance to sleep inside a decommissioned Boeing 747-212B jumbo jet. The aircraft, originally built in 1976 for Singapore Airlines, has been permanently parked at the entrance to Stockholm's Arlanda Airport (ARN) and completely retrofitted into a functional hotel and hostel.
Location and Accessibility: Located at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. It is accessible via a free airport shuttle bus (Alfa line), which stops a short distance from the hotel entrance. It is exceptionally convenient for travelers with early flights or long layovers.
Price Range: One of the more affordable options on this list. A bed in a shared dormitory room can be as low as $50 USD, while private rooms range from $130 to $300 USD. The exclusive Cockpit Suite is the most expensive option.
Facilities and Comfort Level: The aircraft contains a variety of room types, from four-bed dorms to private twin rooms and suites. Most rooms have shared bathroom facilities, though some of the higher-end suites (like the Cockpit Suite and the Black Box Suite) have private en-suite toilets and showers. There is a 24-hour café on board, and the left wing of the plane serves as an observation deck. Wi-Fi is available throughout.
Ideal Type of Traveler: Aviation enthusiasts, budget travelers, and anyone needing convenient lodging at Arlanda Airport with a novel twist.
The "Strange" Factor: The entire accommodation is inside a world-famous aircraft, with the premier suite located in the original cockpit, offering panoramic views of the airport runways.
3. Skylodge Adventure Suites (Cusco, Peru)
The Concept: This is arguably one of the most out-of-the-box accommodation options in the world. Skylodge consists of three transparent polycarbonate capsules that are securely fastened to the side of a granite cliff face in the Sacred Valley of Peru. Guests sleep suspended 400 meters (1,300 feet) above the valley floor, with a near-360-degree view of the dramatic landscape.
Location and Accessibility: Located in the Sacred Valley, between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. Reaching the pods is an integral part of the adventure. Guests must either climb a 400-meter via ferrata (a protected climbing route with steel cables and rungs) or undertake a challenging hike combined with a series of ziplines. There is no other way to access the suites. The operating company provides transport from Cusco.
Price Range: A one-night stay is part of an all-inclusive package that typically costs between $450 and $550 USD per person. This includes private transportation from Cusco, guides, safety equipment, the climb/zipline experience, a gourmet dinner with wine, and breakfast.
Facilities and Comfort Level: Each capsule contains four beds, a small dining area, and a private, separated bathroom with a dry ecological toilet and sink. There are no showers. The pods are surprisingly comfortable, with high-quality linens and mattresses. The experience is intimate, with a maximum capacity of 12 guests across the three pods.
Ideal Type of Traveler: Thrill-seekers, adventure travelers, and physically fit individuals with a head for heights. This is not suitable for those with mobility issues, a fear of heights, or a desire for conventional luxury.
The "Strange" Factor: Living and sleeping in a transparent pod bolted to a sheer cliff face, accessible only by climbing or ziplining.
4. The Manta Resort (Pemba Island, Tanzania)
The Concept: While The Manta Resort offers beautiful beachfront villas, its signature accommodation is the "Underwater Room." This is a private, three-level floating structure anchored in a "blue hole"—an anomaly in the coral reef. The top deck is for sunbathing, the water-level deck contains a lounge and bathroom, and the bedroom is submerged four meters beneath the surface, offering 360-degree views of the local marine life.
Location and Accessibility: Located on Pemba Island, part of the Zanzibar Archipelago in Tanzania. Guests typically fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar, then take a short local flight to Pemba Airport (PMA). The resort arranges for the 1.5-hour taxi transfer from the airport. The Underwater Room is a short boat ride from the main resort.
Price Range: The Underwater Room is an exclusive, all-inclusive experience, costing approximately $2,000 USD per night for two people. This includes all meals, drinks, and a personal service attendant.
Facilities and Comfort Level: The Underwater Room is completely private and self-contained. The submerged bedroom is air-conditioned. Meals are delivered by boat at pre-arranged times. Guests are provided with a kayak, snorkel gear, and a mobile phone to contact staff. The experience is rustic luxury; it is comfortable but isolated.
Ideal Type of Traveler: Couples, honeymooners, and marine life enthusiasts seeking ultimate privacy and a unique connection with the ocean. Guests must be comfortable with isolation and being surrounded by open water.
The "Strange" Factor: Sleeping in a private, submerged glass cube while shoals of reef fish, squid, and octopus swim by your bed.
5. Giraffe Manor (Nairobi, Kenya)
The Concept: Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel set in a 1930s manor house. Its strangeness comes not from its architecture but from its residents: a herd of endangered Rothschild's giraffes. These giraffes roam the grounds freely and are known to poke their long necks through the windows of the manor, especially during breakfast and dinner, in search of treats.
Location and Accessibility: Located in the Lang'ata suburb of Nairobi, about 20 kilometers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). It is easily accessible by taxi or pre-booked transfer. The hotel is situated next to the Giraffe Centre, a breeding center for the Rothschild's giraffe.
Price Range: This is a luxury, all-inclusive property. Rates start around $1,000 USD per person, per night and can vary based on the room and season. The price includes all meals, drinks, laundry, and airport transfers.
Facilities and Comfort Level: The hotel offers a high standard of luxury. The 12 rooms are elegantly decorated in a classic style. Facilities include beautifully manicured gardens, a courtyard for dining, and an on-site gift shop. The service is highly personalized.
Ideal Type of Traveler: Animal lovers, families, and luxury travelers looking for a unique and highly photogenic wildlife interaction.
The "Strange" Factor: Sharing your breakfast table with a fully-grown giraffe. The seamless and respectful interaction between guests and wild animals is what makes this stay so unusual.
6. Palacio de Sal (Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia)
The Concept: Located on the shores of the world's largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni, the "Palace of Salt" is a hotel constructed almost entirely from salt blocks. The walls, ceilings, furniture—including beds and chairs—are all carved from salt harvested from the surrounding flats.
Location and Accessibility: Situated on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni, about 25 kilometers from the town of Uyuni. The best way to reach Uyuni is by flight from La Paz (LPB) to Joya Andina Airport (UYU) or via a long-distance bus. From the town of Uyuni, the hotel is accessible via a 30-minute taxi ride, often arranged as part of a salt flats tour.
Price Range: Moderately priced. Standard rooms typically range from $150 to $250 USD per night, including breakfast.
Facilities and Comfort Level: The hotel offers surprisingly comfortable accommodations given its unusual building material. Rooms are fully heated and feature private bathrooms and comfortable beds (though the bed frames are salt). There is a full-service restaurant, a bar, and a spa. A main rule of the hotel is prominently displayed: "Do not lick the walls."
Ideal Type of Traveler: Those exploring the Salar de Uyuni, photographers, and travelers interested in unique architecture and extreme environments.
The "Strange" Factor: The entire hotel is made of salt, a material that is both structural and decorative, creating a crystalline, luminous interior.
7. Faralda Crane Hotel (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
The Concept: A luxury hotel consisting of just three suites, located inside a monumental former industrial crane in Amsterdam's NDSM wharf, a post-industrial creative hub. The 50-meter-high crane has been meticulously restored and converted into an exclusive, design-forward hotel.
Location and Accessibility: Located at the NDSM wharf in Amsterdam-Noord. It is reachable via a free ferry from behind Amsterdam Central Station, followed by a short walk.
Price Range: This is a premium, exclusive experience. Suites start at around $900 USD per night.
Facilities and Comfort Level: The three suites are split across the top levels of the crane, each with a unique, opulent design. All suites are two floors and feature a living area and a separate sleeping area. At the very top of the crane, accessible to guests, is an open-air spa pool with panoramic views of the city. The entire crane can be rotated by the wind, offering changing perspectives.
Ideal Type of Traveler: Design-conscious luxury travelers, couples seeking a romantic and exclusive escape, and those looking for a unique urban perspective.
The "Strange" Factor: Sleeping in a high-design suite inside a massive industrial crane, with the option of bungee jumping from the top. The hotel also features a private hot tub with one of the best views in Amsterdam.
8. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort (Saariselkä, Finland)
The Concept: Kakslauttanen is famous for its Glass Igloos, which allow guests to admire the Northern Lights and the arctic sky from the comfort of their own bed. These purpose-built structures feature a thermal glass dome that prevents frosting and maintains a normal room temperature.
Location and Accessibility: Located deep in Finnish Lapland, about 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The nearest airport is Ivalo (IVL), a 30-minute bus ride away. The resort operates a shuttle service.
Price Range: A night in a small Glass Igloo for two people starts around $550 USD during the aurora season (late August to late April). Larger igloos and Kelo-Glass Igloos (a hybrid log cabin and igloo) are more expensive.
Facilities and Comfort Level: The classic small Glass Igloos are compact and contain a bed and a small toilet. Showers and saunas are located in a separate, nearby building. The newer Kelo-Glass Igloos are much larger and more luxurious, combining the warmth of a log cabin with a glass-domed bedroom, and include a private sauna and shower. The resort has multiple restaurants, offers numerous arctic excursions, and is home to the world's largest smoke sauna.
Ideal Type of Traveler: Couples, families, and anyone whose primary travel goal is to see the Northern Lights in a comfortable and unique setting.
The "Strange" Factor: Watching the aurora borealis dance across the sky through the glass ceiling of your private, heated igloo.
9. Dog Bark Park Inn (Cottonwood, Idaho, USA)
The Concept: A bed & breakfast hotel built in the shape of a 12-foot-tall beagle, affectionately named "Sweet Willy." Guests enter the dog's body via a second-story deck. This is a prime example of American roadside architecture and a passion project by its chainsaw-artist owners.
Location and Accessibility: Located in rural Cottonwood, Idaho, off Highway 95. The nearest regional airport is Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport (LWS), about an hour's drive away. A car is essential for reaching this location.
Price Range: The inn is a single unit that can be booked for around $160 USD per night. It accommodates up to four guests.
Facilities and Comfort Level: The interior is cozy and comfortable, with a main bedroom in the dog's body and a smaller loft room in its head. It includes a full bathroom, air conditioning, a microwave, and a small fridge. The decor is, unsurprisingly, dog-themed. Breakfast is self-serve and included.
Ideal Type of Traveler: Families, dog lovers, and travelers on a road trip through the American West looking for quirky, unique, and affordable accommodation.
The "Strange" Factor: You are sleeping inside a giant wooden dog.
10. La Balade des Gnomes (Durbuy, Belgium)
The Concept: A hotel that appears to be plucked directly from a fairy tale. Each of its 10 rooms is themed around a different myth or legend. The exterior itself is a bizarre, organic-looking structure, but the true uniqueness lies within the individually crafted rooms, such as a "Trojan Horse" suite and a "Sea Hut" room with a sand floor.
Location and Accessibility: Located in the countryside near the small town of Durbuy in the Ardennes region of Belgium. It is best reached by car. The nearest major cities are Liège and Brussels, approximately a 1-hour and 1.5-hour drive away, respectively.
Price Range: Rooms range from approximately $150 to $300 USD per night, depending on the theme and size.
Facilities and Comfort Level: Despite their fantastical designs, the rooms are equipped with modern comforts like private bathrooms and comfortable beds. The level of detail is extraordinary, focusing on creating a theatrical, immersive experience. The hotel has an on-site restaurant serving French cuisine.
Ideal Type of Traveler: Fans of fantasy and fairy tales, creative individuals, and couples looking for a whimsical and romantic getaway.
The "Strange" Factor: The intensely detailed and theatrical rooms transport guests into another world. The Trojan Horse suite, for example, is a multi-story wooden horse structure that serves as the entire room.
Comparison Section: Adventure vs. Comfort
When considering these weirdest hotel stays, it's crucial to align expectations with reality. The spectrum of these hotels runs from high-adventure, low-comfort experiences to highly comfortable, unique stays.
High Adventure, Lower Comfort: Hotels like Skylodge Adventure Suites and Icehotel (in its cold rooms) prioritize the raw experience over traditional amenities. The challenge—be it a physical climb or enduring the cold—is a key part of the product. Guests should expect basic facilities (e.g., no showers, shared bathrooms) and focus on the thrill of the environment.
High Comfort, Unique Experience: At the other end are hotels like Giraffe Manor and The Manta Resort. These establishments offer five-star service, luxury amenities, and all-inclusive packages. The uniqueness comes from a carefully curated and comfortable interaction with the environment or wildlife, not from enduring hardship.
Tips for Staying in Unconventional Hotels
Book Well in Advance: Most of these hotels have very few rooms and are in high demand. Reservations are often needed 6-12 months, or even years, in advance (e.g., Giraffe Manor).
Pack Accordingly: Your packing list will be dictated by the hotel. Thermal layers for the Icehotel, minimal luggage for Skylodge, and appropriate attire for a luxury manor are all essential considerations.
Manage Expectations: Understand what you are signing up for. Read reviews and the hotel's own guidance carefully. If a hotel description mentions a "dry ecological toilet," know that this is not a standard flushing toilet.
Check Physical Requirements: For places like Skylodge, be honest about your physical fitness and fear of heights. These are not just hotels but physically demanding activities.
Verify Insurance: Ensure your travel insurance covers the specific activities involved, such as climbing a via ferrata or staying in a remote location.
Possible Challenges and How to Avoid Them
Isolation: Many of the most unique hotels worldwide are in remote locations. This can lead to challenges with transportation, connectivity (Wi-Fi), and access to shops or medical facilities. Solution: Plan all transfers in advance and pack any essential medications or items you might need.
Comfort Compromises: The unique design often comes at the cost of space, private facilities, or climate control. Solution: Read the fine print. Know exactly what kind of bathroom, heating, and space to expect so you are not disappointed.
Cost: The novelty and exclusivity of these hotels often command a premium price. Solution: Factor the stay into your overall travel budget as a primary "activity" cost, not just a lodging cost. Look for off-season deals where applicable.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Trends in Experiential Travel
The rise of out-of-the-box accommodation is more than a passing trend; it reflects a fundamental shift in what people value in travel. These hotels demonstrate that where you sleep can be as memorable as what you see. The driving force is the pursuit of experience over simple consumption. Travelers no longer just want to visit a place; they want to be immersed in it, whether that means sleeping under the sea, in a block of ice, or suspended from a cliff. As this demand grows, the hospitality industry will likely continue to push the boundaries of creativity, offering even more bizarre, beautiful, and bucket list hotel experiences that challenge our very definition of what a hotel can be.