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Amazing Hotels – 6 nights to remember

Written by guest 19 May 2011 17 Comments

As far as I’m concerned, hotels ought to ideally fulfill two main conditions: a bed and a roof. Maybe the price ought to be factored in as well. Until not too long ago, I thought that I would rather spend money on exploring the places I traveled in, than on the bed I slept in at night. A hotel, to me, was merely a place to regain my energies for the following day of plans, travels and astonishments.

What changed my mind, was coming across some rather incredible hotels. The astounding capsule hotels in Japan, for example, the prison hotel in Germany or an ice hotel in Canada. But my personal top 6 are the ones listed here below (side note for anyone wondering why it’s not a top 5, I simply could not decide)

1) The Igloo village, Finland

photograph by Visit Finland

Perfect for everyone who always wanted to have an undisturbed view at night without any city lights to observe the universe in its most original version. If you are lucky, you might even see some of the awe-inspiring northern lights.

photograph by Yong Thye

2) The Sand Hotel in Dorset, England.

photo via thepirata

A local travel website found out, that most English tourists prefer foreign beaches. To change that and in a 7-day work rallye, they built this hotel, 100% made of sand. Here, you can fall sleep, listening to the waves for just 10 pound a night. But be aware: There are no toilet facilities available (spells: nature is your toilet).

3) The Cave Hotel, Turkey

photo by jon.s

If you like it somewhat more historical, meaning the time before modern civilization, then this place might the one for you. From the 9th to the 12th century the Gamirasu Cave Hotel was a monastery and there are still some remaining frescos left from that time. A place to take some time off as you may not meet quite as many other travellers at this dwelling, which is located well off the beaten track.

4) The Jumbo Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden

photo by Ryan Stiner

This hotel is just perfect for anybody travelling to and from Arlanda airport in Stockholm, Sweden. If you have an early flight to catch, why waisting precious sleep in getting up even earlier to be at the airport on time? Stay a night at the Jumbo Hostel, located just a 10 minute walk away from the check-in counter. This Boeing 47 served 26 years as an ordinary airplane until it was converted into a hostel / hotel. The Jumbo Hotel offers beds for up to 85 people in 1, 2 or 3 bed-rooms and even one luxury suite in the cockpit!

photo by Robin von Post

5) The Salt Hotel in Uyuni, Bolivia

Another quite uncommon hotel, called Hotel de Sal Playa, is located in the famous salt desert of Bolivia, Uyuni. This place is entirely made out of salt is constructed of salt blocks stuck together and consists of 15 bedrooms, a dining room, a living room, a bar and even a pool table. Don’t go crazy on testing the realnes of the furniture – the owner asks not to lick the walls to prevent deterioration.

top 2 photos by Leonora Enking

6)Poseidon Undersea Resort, Fiji

My absolute favourite of the bunch is the underwater hotel at the Poseidon Undersea Resort on the Fiji Islands. Be amazed at the wonders of the diverse marine life fromup close (at 12metres/40ft deep) while being warm and comfortably in your bed. The world’s only undersea luxury resort opened just recently and gives you the unique opportunity to count fish instead of sheep while falling asleep…

photograph via www.bigencore.com

Learning about these hotels, l I discovered a wealth of unique opportunities to make more out of a night than just sleeping. Have a look at here or here and decide where you want to spend your next holiday!

*Article written by Franziska Gutsche

Tags: Bolivia, Fiji Islands, Finland, hotels, Sweden, Turkey

17 Comments »

Seattle Dredge said:

amaaaazing, love the igloo one!

# 20 May 2011 at 1:15 pm

Lorna - the roamantics said:

now THESE are my kind of luxury accommodations!!! places that may inspire me to ditch the backpack and pay some more bones for a unique experience. AWESOME! think the poseidon, the igloo, and the cave are my faves. what a great post- i just love your site

# 20 May 2011 at 3:10 pm

Raymond said:

Now these are pretty darn cool. I stayed at the “budget” version of that cave hotel in Goreme Turkey — definitely a good night’s rest! So peaceful and cool inside…

# 20 May 2011 at 5:43 pm

Sophie said:

Fabulous! I want to try all of them!

# 21 May 2011 at 10:39 am

Angela said:

Gorgeous, I want to try them all! Probably my favorite are the ones in Turkey, Bolivia and Fiji!

# 22 May 2011 at 5:27 pm

jade said:

I have to stay in an igloo hotel at least once in my life!

# 23 May 2011 at 3:59 pm

Sherry said:

All looks intriguing, except the sand hotel – love the idea of hearing the waves, but it looks rather dirty with that sand everywhere. Prefer my beds to be clean. Hope to try at least one someday.

# 23 May 2011 at 4:05 pm

Kirsten Alana said:

There isn’t a hotel here I WOULDN’T want to stay at!!!!!

# 24 May 2011 at 12:53 pm

Christy @ Ordinary Traveler said:

I think I just fell in love with the sand hotel! I just recently learned about the underwater hotel. It would be awesome, but so expensive.

# 26 May 2011 at 10:52 pm

Andrea said:

We actually just came from Salar de Uyuni and went past the Salt Hotel Playa Blanca, which looks like the one pictured. Not sure if you’re aware that it actually exists illegally because buildings are forbidden from being constructed on the actual salt plain. It is a museum now and people aren’t supposed to stay there, though our guide told us that sometimes they still do. The primary offense is that its sewage system pollutes the salt pan. Just thought I’d mention it =) The others sound awesome!

# 27 May 2011 at 11:12 am