Fancy spending in a night in a pineapple, treehouse or even a converted jail? These amazing places to stay around the world are bizarre, beautiful, and definitely worth travelling for.
1. Dog Bark Inn – Cottonwood, Idaho
Who let the dogs out? This couple in the United States must have. The Dog Inn, a giant doghouse in the middle of rural Idaho, was built in 1997. According to the owners, they created the venue as a way to display and sell their chainsaw sculptures. For enquiries, you can visit their page on Airbnb.
2. Free Spirit Spheres – Qualicum Beach, Canada
A cross between ‘glamping’ and being ‘one with nature’. The Free Spirit Spheres are tree houses in a coastal rain forest in Vancouver. The spherical rooms can sleep more than one person and aim to promote a peaceful and serene stay. For enquiries, you can visit freespiritspheres.com
3. Karostas Cietums – Liepāja, Latvia
Have you ever dreamed of spending a night in prison? At the Karosta Prison in Latvia, it is possible. The lodging allows you to sleep on a prison bunk or an iron bed and you receive a prison meal. The prison obviously no longer operates as a real prison, but it was built over 20 centuries ago as a short-term disciplinary penalty jail for navy soldiers. For enquiries, you can visit karostascietums.lv/en/
4. Palacio de Sal – Potosí, Bolivia
Located in Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt desert, you’ll find the Palacio de Sal Hotel. The hotel was built in 1998 using salt. A hotel made from salt? Yes indeed – the walls, floor and furniture are all made from salt. Those who have visited the hotel give credit to the sun ray’s reflection on the surface of the salt desert – it has been described as a dazzling light. Visit palaciodesal.com.bo to enquire or to make a booking.
5. Rooftop Trailer – Cape Town, South Africa
Fancy staying in a trailer park? This is classiest one you’ll find. The park has Airstream trailers with individual styles and themes. The trailers have running water and electricity, beds, plug points, televisions and you can have your sundowners at the rooftop bar. For enquiries, visit granddaddy.co.za/accommodation.
6. Hotel Casanus – Antwerp, Belgium
Imagine spending a night in a colon? In Belgium, there is a polyester one-bedroom sculpture where you can spend a night. Designed by a Dutch artist, the installation resembles a large human intestine. The intestine has veins on the exterior, making it seem real. The hotel room has running water, heat and lighting.
Sleeping in a colon is not for the faint-hearted. Image from Martin Kuilman
7. Sala Silvermine Hotel – Sala, Sweden
The Sala Silvermine Hotel was extracted more than 800 years ago. It is considered the world’s deepest suite at 155 metres. It’s advised you pack warm and comfortable clothing, as the temperature can drop to as low as two degrees Celcius in the mine, all year round. Visit salasilvermine.com for enquiries.
Something a bit more comfortable than a man cave. Image by Lisa Kuropa.
8. Montana Magic Mountain – Los Rios, Chile
Hidden away in the Huilo Huilo Biological Nature Reserve in Chile, is Montana Magic Mountain. The lodge is only accessible by foot. The artificial building is a volcano-shaped building and has water spewing out on the sides. Montana Magic Mountain has thirteen bedrooms and the walls are surrounded by moss and vines. Visit huilohuilo.com for enquiries or bookings.
9. The Pineapple – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Who doesn’t love Spongebob and his friends? Bikini Bottom is not as far as you think it is. It’s actually in the Dominican Republic. The villa is in the shape of a pineapple and the interior decor is precisely decorated like Spongebob’s home. Visit nickresortpuntacana.com for enquiries.
10. Martin’s Patershof Church – Mechelen, Belgium
Martin’s Patershof Church is a house of worship that is now converted into a hotel. The church was approved as a hotel in 2009. The church building is beautiful, with its 19th-century character, arched doorways and stained glass windows. Enquire at martinshotels.com
11. V8 Hotel – Böblingen, Germany
Car lovers will be in heaven. The V8 motoring-themed hotel has classic, vintage, modern and sporty rooms, which are filled with authentic car parts. The V8 was the former Boblingen Airport opened in 1915. To enquire about the hotel, visit v8hotel.de
A childhood dream for some and a luxury hotel for others. Image by AndyBB
12. Santo Express Train Lodge – Mossel Bay, South Africa
The Santo Express Lodge is an old train on a railway in Mossel Bay. The train has been converted to accommodate tourists and it faces the Santos Beach. The beach is a 30-metre walk away. To enquire, visit santosexpress.co.za
13. Mirror Cube Treehouse – Harads, Sweden
The mirror cube treehouse was constructed in 2010. The mirror cube house is camouflaged with the mirror walls reflecting the woods. The house accommodates two people and includes all the amenities and WiFi. They also have a number of other weird suites – there’s even one styled like a bird’s nest. Visit treehotel.se for enquiries.
A true reflection of nature. Image from Treehotel
14. Zaandam – near Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Inntel Hotel in Zaandam near Amsterdam is one building you won’t miss. What makes it so appealing is the structure that includes the Zaan region traditional houses stacked one on top of the other. You’ll find a variety of distinct styles in the architecture, from labourer’s cottages to townhouses. The hotel has a total of 160 bedrooms. Visit inntelhotelsamsterdamzaandam.nl to enquire or make a booking.
15. Hotel Costa Verde – Quepos, Costa Rica
Tucked in a jungle oasis in Costa Rica, is the Hotel Costa Verde. The hotel is a refurbished 1965 vintage Boeing 727 aircraft. The aircraft has a two bedroom en suite with a kitchenette. The Boeing was used to transport tourists from South Africa to Colombia. The views from the cockpit to the tail of the hotel are said to be amazing and they give you a 360-degree view of the surroundings. Visit costaverde.com to enquire or make bookings.
If you have been to any unusual places, please share with us in the comment box below.
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