Why settle for another beige hotel room with mass-produced artwork and questionable carpet stains? The world is packed with accommodations so outlandish, so brilliantly bizarre, that checking in becomes an adventure in itself. From sleeping underwater with fish as roommates to bunking down in converted prison cells, these 81 unusual hotels prove that where you rest your head can be just as memorable as where you spend your days.
81. Hobbit House – Lord of the Rings Fantasy in Montana
If you're a fan of Tolkien, you'll be amazed by the level of detail that's present here, with references to the books on every corner.Carved into a hillside in Trout Creek, Montana, this adult-only retreat channels Middle-earth with meticulous attention to Tolkien's world.
The main 1,800-square-foot Hobbit House features three bedrooms and two bathrooms across 15 acres of pristine wilderness, with a smaller hobbit dwelling built directly into the hill below. Upon arrival, you'll receive an oversized "Trollhouse cookie" made with what they playfully call fairy dust. The property includes handcrafted hobbit doors, round windows, and interiors filled with references to the books at every turn.
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80. Bivacco Gervasutti – Cliff-Hanging Capsule in the Italian Alps
Suspended at 9,301 feet on the Frebouze Glacier in the Mont Blanc massif, this aluminum and wood capsule replaced a 1948 wooden shelter built to honor legendary climber Bivacco Gervasutti, known as "Il Fortissimo" (the toughest).
Helicopter transport was required to install the high-tech structure, which features solar panels providing internet access and heating. The challenging climb required to reach it includes technical rock and ice sections, making this accommodation truly earned rather than simply booked.
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79. Bambu Indah – Javanese Heritage Meets Balinese Sustainability
Eleven authentic wooden Javanese houses, some dating back centuries, were carefully dismantled, transported to Bali, and reconstructed among organic rice paddies. Each structure maintains its original architectural integrity with hand-carved details, antique furnishings, and locally crafted artwork.
Bambu Indah pioneered sustainable tourism in Indonesia by using exclusively natural building materials, serving organic vegetarian cuisine, and operating its own permaculture garden that supplies the kitchen.
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78. Frying Pan Tower – Offshore Lighthouse Turned Extreme Retreat
This 135-foot structure sits on concrete pilings 32 miles off Cape Fear, North Carolina, originally built in 1964 as a Coast Guard light station. The converted platform has survived numerous Category 4 hurricanes, including Hazel and Florence.
Current owner Richard Neal purchased the decommissioned lighthouse in 2010 and transformed it into what he calls "the world's most dangerous hotel." Guests must helicopter in (weather permitting) and share the waters with sand tiger sharks, which often circle the structure's legs.
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77. Inntel Zaandam – Amsterdam's Architectural Puzzle
This 160-room hotel facade consists of a precise 3D puzzle representing 70 traditional Zaanse houses stacked atop each other in four shades of green, with the top corner house painted blue as homage to Claude Monet's "La Maison Bleue." The building stands 11 stories tall and took four years to design, requiring special engineering to handle the visual weight of the stacked house illusion while meeting modern hotel standards.
Since Inntel Zaandam's opening in 2010, it has become the city's new major tourist attraction. The entire building is internationally renowned, and in 2016, CNN labeled the hotel as 'the most unusual hotel in the world' - so it's no wonder it's on our list. Inside, it's every bit as creative as it is outside, so you're in for many surprises.
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76. La Balade Des Gnomes – Fantasy Comes to Life in Belgium
Created by local craftsman Dominique Noel, each themed room required months of handwork to complete. The famous Trojan horse room features a two-story medieval interior accessed through the horse's belly, complete with authentic medieval furnishings and hidden passages. The Moon room simulates lunar gravity with specially designed furniture, while the Moroccan desert room includes imported sand and Berber textiles.
La Balade Des Gnomes' underground tunnels connect several fantasy areas, creating an immersive fairy-tale experience throughout the property.
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75. Nimb Hotel – Arabian Nights in Copenhagen
Built in 1909 as part of Tivoli Gardens' original architecture, this Moorish-style palace was converted into Denmark's first hotel within an active amusement park. The building's distinctive golden onion domes and intricate facade were restored using original 19th-century techniques.
As Denmark's only rooftop pool hotel, it offers views directly over Tivoli's vintage roller coaster and illuminated gardens. The property operates its own Michelin-starred restaurant and maintains operational connection to Tivoli's attractions.
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74. STF Kolarbyn – Sweden's Most Primitive Hotel
Known locally as "Sweden's most primitive hotel," these 12 forest huts were built using traditional Scandinavian techniques without electricity, running water, or modern amenities.
Each hut is heated solely by wood-burning stoves, with guests collecting their own firewood. The nearby floating sauna sits on a pristine lake where you can ice-swim even in winter. Wildlife encounters are common, with moose, deer, and beaver frequently spotted from the huts' small windows.
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73. 73. The Beaumont Hotel – Sleep Inside a Sculpture
Antony Gormley's "ROOM" sculpture-hotel suite took three years to design and construct, with the artist personally overseeing every detail of the dark, womb-like space.
The suite's interior walls curve inward, creating a cocoon effect that eliminates external noise and light when desired. Located on Brown Hart Gardens in Mayfair, the building itself is a 1926 Grade II listed structure originally built as an electrical substation. The sculpture serves as both accommodation and permanent art installation.
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72. Rotel – Your Hotel Follows You Everywhere
These rolling hotels began in 1945 when German engineer Hermann Rotel invented the concept of mobile accommodation. Each vehicle contains 20-26 individual sleeping cabins, a kitchen, dining area, and bathroom facilities. The lower deck houses luggage and supplies, while the upper deck contains the sleeping pods.
Tours can last up to eight weeks, covering multiple countries without requiring hotel bookings or luggage transfers.
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71. 727 Fuselage Home – Boeing Jungle Retreat in Costa Rica
This authentic 1965 Boeing 727-100 was rescued from San José airport before being transformed into luxury accommodation. The plane's original galley was converted into a kitchenette, while the passenger cabin became two bedrooms with handcrafted wooden interiors. - For more airplane hotels, click here.
Suspended 50 feet above ground on reinforced platforms, the aircraft overlooks both Pacific Ocean and Manuel Antonio National Park. The wings serve as observation decks where sloths, toucans, and monkeys are regularly spotted.
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70. Hotel Not Hotel – Hidden Rooms and Artistic Disguises
Amsterdam designer Klaas de Jong created this 13-room property where every accommodation is disguised as an art installation. The vintage tram room contains an actual 1960s Amsterdam tram car complete with original seating and route maps.
The secret bookcase room requires solving a puzzle to gain entry, while the wooden house room sits in the middle of the lobby like a miniature dwelling. No room numbers exist; guests must memorize their room's appearance and location.
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69. Queen Mary Hotel – Luxury Ocean Liner Turned Floating Hotel
This 1,019-foot luxury liner operated for 31 years and officially recorded 57 deaths during service, though ghost hunters claim 105 different spirits still inhabit the ship. During World War II, she served as a troop transport carrying over 750,000 military personnel.
The infamous stateroom B340 was closed to guests for decades due to intense paranormal activity including covers being pulled off sleeping guests, rattling clothes hangers, and mysterious voices around 3 AM. The engine room, 50 feet below water level, houses the notorious "Door 13" where at least two crew members were crushed to death at different times during the ship's operation.
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68. Karosta Prison – Authentic Soviet-Era Prison Experience
Built in 1906 under Czarist Russia, this military prison complex operated under Soviet rule until 1997. The facility housed disobedient soldiers, political prisoners, and captured enemies during both World Wars.
Today's "prisoner experience" includes being locked in authentic cells with only a thin mattress, tin cup, and bucket. Former guards and military personnel serve as "correctional officers," maintaining the intimidating atmosphere with authentic Soviet-era protocols and uniforms.
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67. Barin Ski Resort – Snow Mountain Architecture in Iran
RYRA Studio designed this 11-story resort to mimic the surrounding Alborz Mountains, with the exterior featuring white concrete panels that mirror snow-covered peaks. Located at 7,500 feet elevation in Shemshak, 40 miles from Tehran, the resort operates despite Iran's challenging international tourism environment.
The interior maze-like design intentionally disorients visitors, creating an "ice palace" effect with curved corridors and dome-shaped rooms that echo the mountain's natural caves.
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66. The New Monte Rosa Hut – Crystal-Shaped Sustainability in the Alps
This crystalline structure at 9,462 feet elevation demonstrates extreme sustainable building, producing 90% of its energy through solar panels despite harsh Alpine conditions. Built through collaboration between ETH Zurich and the Swiss Alpine Club, the hut required helicopter transport of all materials over 15 construction flights.
The interior stays warm through passive heat from occupants' body temperature and solar gain, eliminating need for fossil fuels even at temperatures reaching -30°C.
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65. White Cliffs Underground Motel – Escaping Australia's Brutal Heat
When surface temperatures reach 119°F (48.6°C), residents of this opal mining town carved homes directly into the hillsides using mining equipment. The underground motel maintains a constant 72°F year-round without air conditioning, carved from the same mineral-rich earth that produces precious opals.
Guests can participate in opal mining, with the property offering "noodling" experiences where you search through previously excavated tailings for overlooked gems.
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64. Levin Iglut – Glass Igloos for Aurora Viewing
These 20 thermally insulated glass igloos feature specially manufactured glass that prevents frost buildup even at -30°C, ensuring clear aurora viewing throughout the night. Located at 200 meters above sea level in Utsuvaara Fell, each igloo includes heated floors and luxury bathrooms despite the remote location.
The property operates its own reindeer farm with 200 animals, offering authentic Sami cultural experiences and the chance to meet Santa's actual reindeer breeds.
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63. The O Pod Hotel – Capsule Living by Tel Aviv's Beach
Each of the 100 pods measures just 6 feet by 4 feet but includes personal LED lighting, ventilation, power outlets, and reading lights. The pods close with privacy curtains and feature memory foam mattresses despite their compact size.
Located just three blocks from Tel Aviv's main beach promenade, the property attracts international backpackers and offers rooftop views of the Mediterranean Sea.
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62. Nakagin Capsule Tower – Tokyo's Iconic Micro-Living
Architect Kisho Kurokawa designed this 1972 Metabolist building with 140 prefabricated capsules, each measuring just 8 by 12 feet. Originally intended as pied-à-terre apartments for Tokyo businessmen, each capsule was factory-built and crane-lifted into place.
The building was demolished in 2022 after 50 years of operation, though several capsules were preserved for museum exhibition. Each unit contained a built-in bed, desk, bathroom, and circular window offering views of Tokyo's skyline.
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61. The Shell House – Giant Seaside Sculpture in Mexico
Architect Octavio Ocampo designed this shell-shaped vacation home using over 2 million natural seashells collected from Isla Mujeres beaches. The interior walls curve following the shell's natural spiral, creating rooms without conventional corners.
Located just 20 minutes from Cancún, the house sits on a private stretch of Caribbean beach where more shells wash ashore daily, continuously adding to the structure's natural decoration.
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60. The Manta Resort – Underwater Bedroom with Swimming Neighbors
This floating structure anchors in a private lagoon off Pemba Island using specialized marine engineering that allows gentle movement with ocean currents. The underwater bedroom, submerged 13 feet below surface, features 360-degree windows offering views of angelfish, parrotfish, and occasionally passing dolphins.
The structure includes solar panels for lighting and a satellite communication system, making it completely self-sufficient in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
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59. Sun Cruise Resort – Landlocked Cruise Ship in South Korea
This 165-room resort built into a coastal cliff required moving 300,000 tons of earth and rock to create the foundation. The "ship" measures 541 feet long and 148 feet high, making it larger than many actual cruise vessels.
Opened in 2002, it features authentic cruise ship amenities including a bridge with navigation equipment, smokestacks, and deck railings. The infinity pool overlooks the East Sea from a height of 540 feet above sea level.
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58. Rogner Bad Blumau – Hundertwasser's Colorful Wellness Vision
Friedensreich Hundertwasser spent his final years designing this spa complex, which opened just months before his death in 2000. The building contains no straight lines, following Hundertwasser's philosophy that "straight lines are godless."
Natural thermal springs feeding the complex maintain temperatures between 96-108°F and contain beneficial minerals including sulfur and magnesium. The property covers 330,000 square feet and includes 2,000 hand-painted ceramic tiles and 330 differently sized windows.
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57. Juvet Landscape Hotel – Minimalist Luxury in Norwegian Wilderness
Each of the seven rooms was designed by architect Jensen & Skodvin to minimize environmental impact, elevated on stilts to preserve forest floor vegetation. The mirror-clad units nearly disappear into the landscape depending on lighting conditions. Director Alex Garland chose this location for filming "Ex Machina" specifically for its otherworldly, isolated atmosphere. The property operates completely off-grid using hydroelectric power from a nearby waterfall.
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56. Null Stern – "Zero Star" Outdoor Luxury
The concept began when artists Frank and Patrik Riklin converted a 1960s Swiss nuclear bunker into a hotel to satirize luxury hospitality culture. Their current open-air bedroom at 6,500 feet elevation includes an antique bed, Egyptian cotton linens, and butler service delivered via hiking trail. The experience operates weather-permitting only, with backup indoor accommodation available during storms. The "zero star" rating deliberately contrasts with traditional hotel luxury standards.
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55. Ooops! Hotel – The Half-Sunken Illusion
This architectural illusion was created by covering a conventional floating structure with a facade that appears to be sinking. The "sinking" effect required precise engineering to maintain the structure's stability while creating the visual illusion. Accessible only by private boat from Västerås marina, the hotel sits in a designated quiet zone where motorboat speeds are limited to preserve the peaceful atmosphere.
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54. Harlingen Harbour Crane – Operate Your Own Hotel Room
This 1967 harbor crane was originally used to unload timber ships from Scandinavia. The conversion required completely rebuilding the interior while maintaining the crane's operational rotating mechanism. Guests receive a brief training session on operating the crane's rotation system, allowing them to change their view between the harbor and city center. The crane can rotate 270 degrees and features a restored vintage control room with original brass fittings.
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53. Montana Magica Lodge – Waterfall-Covered Volcano Hotel
Located in Chile's Huilo Huilo Biosphere Reserve, this 16-room lodge is covered with native plant species that attract over 400 bird species. The artificial waterfall cascades 130 feet down the building's exterior, powered by a hidden pump system. The surrounding 300,000-acre reserve contains ancient Valdivian temperate rainforest and serves as habitat for endangered pudú deer and pumas. Access requires crossing two suspension bridges spanning forest ravines.
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52. Arte Luise Kunsthotel – 50 Rooms, 50 Artists
This 1825 neoclassical mansion houses Berlin's most artistic accommodation, where contemporary artists were given complete creative freedom to design individual rooms. Room 516 features an upside-down environment where all furniture is mounted on the ceiling. Room 420 contains a 13-meter ceiling with a spiral staircase leading to a sleeping loft. The sleigh room actually incorporates an authentic 19th-century horse-drawn sleigh as the bed frame.
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51. SiloStay – Elegant Apartments in Grain Silos
These four converted grain silos date from the 1950s when Little River served as a major agricultural shipping point. Each silo measures 30 feet in diameter, with curved walls that eliminate traditional corner spaces. The conversion required specialized engineering to cut windows into the thick concrete walls while maintaining structural integrity. Guests can climb to the top of the silos for 360-degree views of the Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains.
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50. 9 Hours Capsule Hotel – Efficiency Perfected
The "9 hours" concept breaks down as: 1 hour shower and preparation, 7 hours sleep, 1 hour morning routine. Each pod measures 6.5 feet long, 3.5 feet wide, and 4 feet high, with curved walls that eliminate claustrophobic corners. The chain operates 13 locations across Japan, each featuring a NASA-inspired pod design with personal air circulation systems and ambient lighting that simulates natural sleep cycles. The Japanese capsule hotels are a must-try!
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49. Canopy Tower – Birdwatching Paradise in a Radar Tower
Built in 1965 as part of the US military's early warning radar network monitoring the Panama Canal, this 110-foot structure was decommissioned in 1995. The cylindrical tower's elevation provides views over 200 square miles of rainforest canopy, making it ideal for spotting over 400 bird species recorded in the area. The rooftop platform where radar equipment once operated now serves as an observation deck for dawn birdwatching tours.
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48. Giraffe Manor – Breakfast Companions with 18-Foot Necks
Built in 1932 and modeled on a Scottish hunting lodge, this boutique hotel houses endangered Rothschild giraffes as part of a breeding program that has helped increase wild populations from fewer than 130 to over 1,000 individuals. Each guest stay contributes $10 to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), which runs the conservation program. The resident giraffes roam freely between the manor and adjacent Giraffe Centre, where they participate in education programs for Kenyan schoolchildren. Morning and evening feeding times occur precisely at 9 AM and 5 PM, when the giraffes' 18-inch tongues regularly steal toast from breakfast plates.
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47. Sekeping Serendah – Open-Sided Forest Living
These open-sided concrete shells were designed by architect Kevin Mark Low to blur the boundary between interior and exterior space. Each structure lacks traditional walls, protected only by overhanging roofs that direct rainwater into collection systems. Located in a 25-acre secondary rainforest 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur, the property maintains resident populations of hornbills, macaques, and over 200 bird species that often venture into the open rooms.
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46. Kennedy School Hotel – From Detention to Cocktails
This Portland elementary school operated from 1915 to 1975 before McMenamin brothers purchased and converted it in 1997. Original classroom chalkboards remain in each guest room, displaying subjects like "arithmetic" and "geography." The former gymnasium now houses a brewery with floor-to-ceiling windows, while the old cafeteria serves as a restaurant with original lunch tables. The detention hall operates as the "Detention Bar," complete with original school desks serving as bar seating.
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45. Mustang Monument Eco Resort – Wild West Conservation
This 900-acre ranch houses America's largest wild mustang sanctuary, home to 650 horses rescued from government roundups. The property operates in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management to provide lifetime sanctuary for unadoptable wild horses. Guests can participate in natural horsemanship programs and observe horses in family bands behaving as they would in the wild. The luxury safari-style tents feature heated floors and private bathrooms despite the remote high desert location.
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44. Sala Silvermine – The World's Deepest Hotel Suite
This former silver mine produced ore for the Swedish crown from 1200 to 1908, with mining operations extending to 1,050 feet below ground. The hotel suite sits at 509 feet depth, maintaining a constant temperature of 64°F year-round. Original mining equipment remains visible throughout the tunnels, including 16th-century wooden hoisting wheels and hand-carved chambers. The suite features solid rock walls, candlelight illumination, and complete silence broken only by occasional water drips echoing through the caverns.
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43. Treehotel – Architectural Tree Sculptures
Each treehouse design required specialized engineering to suspend the structures without damaging the supporting pine trees. The Mirrorcube reflects its surroundings so completely that birds occasionally collide with it, requiring special UV-reflective film on the exterior. The UFO unit measures 30 square meters and accommodates four guests despite its extraterrestrial appearance. Construction required helicopter transport of materials to minimize forest disturbance, with each structure anchored to multiple trees for stability.
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42. Sleep in Fængslet – Denmark's Prison Hotel Experience
Horsens State Prison operated from 1853 to 2006, housing Denmark's most notorious criminals including members of organized crime syndicates. Original cells measure just 8 square meters and feature authentic period fixtures including metal beds bolted to walls and small barred windows. The property offers guided tours led by former prison guards who share stories of famous inmates and escape attempts. Cell doors still lock from the outside, creating an authentically unsettling overnight experience.
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41. CasAnus – The Giant Intestine Experience
Dutch artist Joep van Lieshout created this sculpture-accommodation as commentary on consumption and bodily functions in modern society. The structure measures 78 feet long and houses a double bed, shower, toilet, and dining area within its intestinal curves. Located in a Belgian countryside meadow, the piece serves as both functional accommodation and artistic statement about humanity's relationship with basic biological processes. Breakfast is delivered through a special opening designed to resemble the body's natural processes.
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40. Fabriken Furillen – Industrial Minimalism on Gotland
Photographer Johan Hellström transformed this abandoned limestone quarry on Gotland Island into a retreat that celebrates industrial decay. The 16-room complex preserves original concrete structures while adding minimal contemporary interventions. The stark landscape surrounding the property was created by decades of quarrying operations, leaving behind a moonscape that photographers frequently use for fashion shoots. The property operates off-grid using wind and solar power, with rainwater collection systems providing all water needs.
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39. Hotel Marques de Riscal – Frank Gehry's Wine Country Marvel
Frank Gehry's titanium and stainless steel design took seven years to complete and required developing new construction techniques for the complex curved surfaces. The building's ribboning exterior reflects different colors throughout the day, with gold, silver, and pink tones changing based on sun angle. Located within the 160-year-old Marqués de Riscal winery, guests can participate in private tastings of vintages dating back to 1862. The hotel's restaurant holds a Michelin star and serves dishes paired with wines produced on the property.
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38. Utter Inn – Underwater Sleeping on Lake Mälaren
Artist Mikael Genberg's floating cabin appears conventional above water but conceals a submarine-like bedroom accessed via stairs below the waterline. The underwater chamber features windows on all four walls, offering views into Sweden's third-largest lake. Water temperature remains constant at 46°F year-round, while the chamber maintains 72°F through insulation and heating. Pike, perch, and other freshwater fish regularly investigate the underwater windows, often swimming close enough to observe guests sleeping.
The artist Mikael Genberg is behind this and the Woodpecker Hotel - a hotel at the top of a tree.
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37. Kirkjubaer Guesthouse – Sacred Space Turned Secular Retreat
This 1925 Lutheran church served the tiny community of Stodvarfjordur until declining membership forced closure in 1970. The conversion preserved original architectural elements including the altar, wooden pews, and painted ceiling murals depicting Icelandic landscapes. The church bell still chimes hourly, operated by an automated system installed during renovation. Located in a fjord surrounded by 3,000-foot peaks, the guesthouse offers kayak rentals for exploring the pristine waters where seals and occasional whales are spotted.
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36. Igloo Hotel Kakslauttanen – Glass Domes for Aurora Watching
These 65 thermal glass igloos use specially manufactured glass that prevents frost formation even at -40°C, ensuring clear night sky viewing. Each igloo includes heated bathroom facilities and can accommodate temperatures as low as -50°C while maintaining 70°F interior temperature. The property operates from August through April, with the Northern Lights visible on average 200 nights per year from this location. The site also features traditional snow igloos rebuilt annually and a 200-reindeer farm where guests can feed Arctic animals.
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35. Eve's Garden – High Desert Mindfulness Retreat
Built by artist Eve using salvaged materials and natural adobe techniques, this West Texas retreat sits at 5,000 feet elevation in the Chihuahuan Desert. The property produces its own solar power, treats wastewater through natural systems, and grows organic vegetables in greenhouse tunnels. Guests participate in daily meditation sessions, desert hiking, and stargazing programs taking advantage of some of America's darkest night skies. The surrounding landscape attracts roadrunners, javelinas, and over 300 bird species.
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34. Pelican Point Lodge – Secluded Control Tower In Namibia
There's hardly anything more romantic than a lonely lighthouse on a sandy beach. If you stay at Pelican Point Lodge, you can enjoy that view every day from the control tower that's been transformed into a comfortable, stylish hotel.
The lodge is located on the deserted Pelican Point peninsula, and here, you will find pristine beaches with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Walvis Bay Lagoon on the other.
The hotel is surrounded by the world's oldest desert, where you can see wildlife and learn how the animals have adapted to the barren environment. The landscape is so unique that a part of the Mad Max movie was shot here.
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33. Book And Bed Tokyo – Library Hostel That Will Delight Every Book-Lover
Good news for all the bookworms out there! At Book And Bed Tokyo, you’ll find cozy sleeping pods behind the bookshelves and a wide range of books in English and Japanese. There are enough books to keep you reading all night long!
The reimagined hostel has capsules integrated into a bookcase, doubling its functionality and inventing a new style. Apart from your capsule, the cozy nooks on the window sides offer a place to relax. From here, you can see the busy streets of Tokyo.
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32. Hotel de Vrouwe Van Stavoren – Hotel Suites Inside Giant Wine Barrels
If people can age like wine, they can also sleep like wine – by which I mean in a wooden barrel. The Dutch Hotel de Vrouwe Van Stavoren will sort you out for a cozy night in a wine cask.
This unusual hotel/restaurant is located in Stavoren's old harbor. Its natural location offers a view of sailing yachts and traditional boats coming and going on Lake IJssel.
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31. V8 Hotel-Motorworld – Car-themed hotel with Mercedes and Cadillac beds
Jealous of your nephew's car bed? Well, the good news is they come in adult size, too. And they are made from real cars! At V8 Hotel, you'll find plenty of creative car-themed rooms, including a car wash, car workshops, or a racing course.
The 26 V8 rooms were individually designed, and each room's walls and furniture reflect a piece of automotive history. The hotel is located within the MOTORWORLD Region Stuttgart, a 258,333-square-foot (24,000-m2) space dedicated to petrolheads.
Don't miss the Porsche and Mercedes museums nearby!
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30. Kruisherenhotel – Where Gothic Grandeur Meets Modern Minimalism
What happens when you drop sleek contemporary design into a 15th-century Gothic church? Pure architectural poetry. The Kruisherenhotel takes the bones of a monastery that began construction in 1438 and fills them with clean lines and modern luxury that somehow enhances rather than detracts from the sacred space.
The church's choir was completed in 1459, and the current building was finished around 1520. In 2000, hotelier Camille Oostwegel took on the ambitious restoration project, transforming this religious relic into a 60-room sanctuary where you can sleep among soaring stone arches and stained glass windows. The juxtaposition creates a spectacular interplay between classical architecture and modern design – a pure aesthetic feast that shouldn't work, but absolutely does.
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29. Hang Nga Guesthouse – Dalat's Delightfully Deranged Fairy Tale
Architect Dang Viet Nga clearly never met a conventional angle she liked. Her wonderfully warped creation, better known as the "Crazy House," looks like what might happen if Salvador Dalí decided to design a hotel while heavily influenced by both Gaudí and Vietnamese fairy tales.
The structure sprawls and curves through ten rooms that feel less like accommodation and more like living inside a psychedelic tree. Each space flows organically into the next, with no straight lines or right angles to be found. You'll either find it enchanting or utterly bonkers – possibly both.
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28. Vliegtuigsuite Teuge – First-Class Luxury Without Leaving the Ground
You've probably seen other repurposed planes before, but this Boeing 767 comes with a fully equipped cockpit and truly indulgent facilities, including a sauna and jacuzzi. The view of the Teuge airport runway is excellent from the integrated balcony – making this possibly the cheapest way to experience first-class luxury.
Parked permanently at Teuge airport, it offers the fantasy of private jet travel without the environmental guilt of actually flying anywhere. The attention to detail extends beyond the novelty factor, with genuinely luxurious amenities that make this far more than just a gimmick with beds.
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27. Skylodge Adventure Suites – Gravity-Defying Glass Boxes in Peru
If you've ever wondered what it's like to sleep while dangling 1,312 feet up a mountain face, wonder no more. These transparent capsules cling to the cliffs between Cusco and Machu Picchu, offering possibly the most spectacular – and terrifying – bedroom views on Earth.
Getting to your glass pod requires a combination of hiking, rock climbing, and ziplining that makes checking in an adventure sport. Each capsule sleeps eight and comes with a proper bathroom, because even extreme accommodation shouldn't compromise on basic dignity.
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26. Hüttenpalast – Indoor Camping for Commitment-Phobes
Who said you could only sleep in a caravan on a campsite? Berlin's former vacuum cleaner factory now houses a collection of lovely vintage caravans, and they certainly haven't lost their charm despite being indoors. The idea is that those who have never been on a regular camping holiday should try it slightly more comfortably.
The room-in-room concept preserved the beauty of the industrial building. Instead of lengthy corridors and floor-to-ceiling walls dividing the rooms, the space is divided into quirky caravans and a large open space. It's camping without the weather, bugs, or questionable bathroom facilities – basically everything that puts people off the great outdoors in the first place.
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25. Propeller Island City Lodge – Where Nightmares and Dreams Collide
Artist Lars Storschen's hotel-slash-art-installation pushes the boundaries of what accommodation can be. Want to sleep in a coffin? Under a guillotine? On a bed suspended from the ceiling? Propeller Island has you covered, along with rooms that would make Tim Burton feel right at home.
What started as a way to fund Storschen's music projects has become a destination for travelers who find regular hotels insufferably boring. Each of the rooms is a fully realized artistic statement – some more comfortable to sleep in than others.
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24. Felsenhotel La Claustra – Luxury Bunker Life in the Swiss Alps
This 4-star hotel is carved into a mountain 2,050 meters (6,726 feet) above sea level, in what was once a Swiss military bunker. The transformation from fortress to luxury accommodation is remarkable – you can still sense the building's defensive origins while enjoying decidedly non-military amenities like a jacuzzi in an artificial cave.
The 30-person capacity means you'll be sharing this underground wonderland with a small group, adding to the sense of being part of an exclusive mountain adventure.
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23. House In The Clouds – English Eccentricity at Its Finest
When a 70-foot water tower needed disguising in 1923, someone had the brilliant idea of camouflaging it as a house on stilts. The result is exactly what it sounds like – a cottage that appears to float in mid-air, complete with five bedrooms and panoramic countryside views.
The 85-step climb to reach your aerial accommodation means every trip to the corner shop becomes a workout, but the views from up there are worth the leg burn.
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22. Jumbo Stay Stockholm – Mile-High Club, Ground Edition
This decommissioned Boeing 747 at Arlanda Airport has been converted into accommodation that maximizes every inch of the aircraft. You can sleep in the cockpit, a turbine, or even the wheel well – each offering a different perspective on what it's like to live inside a jumbo jet.
The cockpit suite provides the ultimate pilot fantasy, while other rooms offer varying degrees of aviation authenticity. A free shuttle bus connects you to the terminal, in case you decide you actually want to fly somewhere.
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21. Seaventures Dive Rig – Industrial Romance on the High Seas
This rehabilitated oil rig stands on 10-meter (33-foot) legs above the Celebes Sea, about half a mile from Mabul Island. What was once an industrial platform is now an eco-friendly dive resort that combines the raw aesthetics of offshore engineering with modern comforts.
High-speed internet, air conditioning, and a gaming room prove that even converted oil rigs can offer creature comforts, while the structure's industrial heritage gives the place a unique maritime character.
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20. REVERB by Hard Rock Hamburg - When Brutalism Meets Rock and Roll
Photo by HMG
A World War II bunker built by the Nazis has been transformed into something altogether more peaceful – a Hard Rock hotel topped with a pyramid-shaped extension and Hamburg's largest public rooftop garden. The raw concrete structure predates the Brutalist movement by decades but embodies its aesthetic perfectly.
Photo by HMG
The 134-room hotel preserves the fortress's imposing concrete walls while adding contemporary amenities and that distinctive Hard Rock style. It's a remarkable example of how architecture with a dark past can be repurposed for something positive.
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19. The Cubehouse – Living Life at a 45-Degree Angle
Piet Blom's cube houses, completed in 1984, are tilted 45 degrees and balanced on hexagonal pylons to create what he described as a "forest" of abstract trees. Living inside one requires custom furniture and a willingness to embrace walls that meet at unusual angles.
The three-story layout maximizes the peculiar space, with triangular rooms that somehow manage to feel cozy despite their geometric severity. The top floor's pyramid shape offers 360-degree views, though getting standard curtains is probably out of the question.
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18. Uiara Amazon Resort – Floating Luxury in the World's Lungs
This floating hotel drifts on Lake Salvador, five miles from Manaus, using sustainable technology to minimize its environmental impact. The Amazon Jungle Palace (as it's also known) offers luxury accommodation while maintaining respect for one of the world's most important ecosystems.
On-site activities include bird-watching, canoe trips, and cultural performances by local indigenous tribes – making this as much an educational experience as a comfortable place to sleep.
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17. Hotel Jested – Retro-Futuristic Tower in the Czech Mountains
Karel Hubacek's 1973 masterpiece looks like it could have been beamed down from a science fiction film. The tower hotel, now a Czech cultural monument, perches atop Jested Mountain offering panoramic views over Northern Bohemia and into Poland and Germany.
You can reach the futuristic structure by cable car or on foot, but either way, you'll feel like you're stepping into a time capsule of 1970s space-age optimism. The retro-future aesthetic has aged remarkably well.
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16. Hotel Punta Grande – Europe's Tiniest Hotel on a Volcanic Island
With just two rooms, Hotel Punta Grande holds the distinction of being one of Europe's smallest hotels. Perched on a rock beside the Atlantic on the remote island of El Hierro, it offers solitude and dramatic ocean views far from any tourist crowds.
The Atlantic waves crash against the rocky shores with impressive force, providing a constant soundtrack of natural drama. Despite its tiny size, the hotel manages to include both a bar and restaurant.
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15. Dog Bark Park Inn – A Tail-Wagging Architectural Statement
Dennis and Frances Sullivan spent years carving wooden dogs before creating their masterpiece – a 30-foot-tall beagle that serves as a fully functional bed and breakfast. The three-story structure sleeps four people and is decorated with an impressive collection of canine memorabilia.
The main bedroom is located in the dog's belly, with additional sleeping space in the head's loft area. It's simultaneously ridiculous and charming – the kind of roadside attraction that makes American road trips memorable.
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14. Ship In The Ice – Arctic Adventure Without the Frostbite
The century-old schooner Noorderlicht has been deliberately trapped in Arctic ice multiple times, offering the romance of polar exploration without the life-threatening hardships. Built in 1910 in Flensburg, Germany, the vessel has served various roles including lightship and wartime patrol boat.
Now fitted with ten cabins, it provides a base for Arctic adventures including husky sledding and five-course dinners – proving that roughing it doesn't have to mean giving up civilization entirely.
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13. Houshi Onsen – Seven Generations of Japanese Hospitality
This wooden ryokan, built in 1875 directly over a hot spring source, has remained in the same family for seven generations. The Okamura family continues to welcome visitors with traditional green tea service and accommodation that feels like stepping back in time.
The highlight is the large wooden communal bath built in Rokumeikan style, representing the architectural aesthetics of Japan's Meiji period. Some rooms retain their original 19th-century character, offering an authentic glimpse into traditional Japanese hospitality.
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12. Museumotel L'Utopie – 1960s Space-Age Dreams Made Concrete
These bubble-shaped concrete houses represent the 1960s vision of future living – functional, affordable, and undeniably futuristic. The psychedelic interiors channel the era's optimistic space-age aesthetic, creating accommodation that feels like a time capsule from the Atomic Age.
The "concrete veil" architectural style sought to create homes that were both practical and beautiful. Whether they succeeded is debatable, but they certainly created something memorable.
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11. The Boot – Fairy Tale Accommodation in New Zealand – Nelson, New Zealand
This cottage shaped like a giant boot sits in New Zealand's Tasman region, surrounded by mountains, beaches, and the kind of natural beauty that makes the country a filmmaker's paradise. The whimsical structure has one bedroom upstairs with a Juliet balcony overlooking the courtyard and pond.
Everything about it feels like it's been lifted from a children's storybook – which is exactly the point. It's accommodation that doesn't take itself too seriously while still providing genuine comfort.
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10. Henn-Na Hotel – Where Robots Handle the Night Shift – Sasebo, Japan
The world's first robot-staffed hotel takes Japan's embrace of automation to its logical conclusion. Check-in might be handled by a humanoid robot or a polite velociraptor – because in Japan, even artificial intelligence has a sense of humor.
Facial recognition replaces key cards, robot bellhops handle luggage, and each room has a personal assistant robot. It's either a glimpse into an automated future or a technological novelty – possibly both, depending on your perspective on artificial intelligence.
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9. Yellow Sub Liverpool – All You Need is Love (and a Bed) – Liverpool, United Kingdom
Moored near Albert Dock on the River Mersey, this faithful recreation of the famous Yellow Submarine is stuffed with Beatles memorabilia and nostalgic details. The boat has three en-suite bedrooms and a lounge area, all decorated in the distinctive yellow and psychedelic style of the animated film.
For Beatles fans, it's the ultimate pilgrimage accommodation – a chance to literally live inside one of the band's most iconic images.
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8. Atomium Kidsphere – Sleeping in Brussels' Most Famous Landmark – Brussels, Belgium
While most visitors to Brussels' Atomium building can only visit during museum hours, lucky schoolchildren get to spend the night in one of the nine stainless steel spheres. Built for the 1958 World's Fair and designed by André and Jean Polak, the 335-foot structure is an iconic piece of mid-century optimism.
The overnight educational experience is limited to primary school students, making this one of the most exclusive – and unusual – accommodations in Europe.
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7. The G Hotel – Baroque Meets Psychedelic in Galway – Galway, Ireland
Philip Treacy, the world-famous milliner, designed this hotel with the same bold creativity he brings to his hats. Charcoal black reception areas, bright pink corridor carpets, dark purple walls, and black-and-white elevators create what can only be described as futuristic baroque.
The five-star design hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, proving that luxury doesn't have to be boring or beige.
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6. Espejo De Luna – Shipwreck Chic in Chilean Patagonia – Queilén, Chile
Inspired by the maritime traditions of Chiloé Island, this hotel is designed to look like a wooden ship that's been washed ashore. The "drunken" vessel houses a reception and two-story restaurant, while guest accommodations are scattered around the forested coastline property.
The design plays with the romance of maritime disasters while providing thoroughly modern comfort – shipwreck aesthetics without the actual drowning.
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5. Hotel Everland – The Art Project That Moved Around Europe – France
This experimental hotel by artists Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann challenged conventional ideas about both hospitality and location. For 1,000 nights, the single-room hotel toured Europe, never staying in one place for more than one night per visitor.
The project made fun of typical hotel behaviors – theft was actively encouraged, and taking souvenirs home was part of the experience. It was accommodation as performance art, questioning what we expect from the places we sleep.
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4. Icehotel Sweden – Architecture That Melts and Rebuilds Every Year – Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Every year since 1989, artists have carved a new hotel from ice and snow taken from the Torne River. About 40 international artists collaborate to create what amounts to the world's most temporary luxury accommodation – and its most unique art gallery.
The year-round Icehotel 365 means you can now experience sleeping on ice even in summer, though the constantly rebuilding seasonal hotel remains the main attraction. It's architecture with a built-in expiry date.
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3. Eh'häusl – The World's Smallest Hotel with the Biggest Heart – Amberg, Germany
At just 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) wide, this 18th-century house claims to be the world's smallest hotel. It was built when couples needed to own property to get married – so they'd buy the house, get married, then immediately sell it to the next couple in line.
The romantic backstory is as charming as the building itself, which despite its tiny footprint manages to pack in all the essentials for a comfortable stay.
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2. Das Park Hotel – Sewer Pipe Dreams in Austria – Ottensheim, Austria
Andreas Strauss took standard concrete sewer pipes and turned them into the ultimate minimalist accommodation. The rooms offer little more than a bed – no private bathrooms, no frills, just the pure essentials for a night's sleep.
The pay-as-you-wish pricing model adds to the unconventional approach. Artist Thomas Latzel Ochoa handled the interior design, proving that even sewer pipes can be made stylish with the right creative vision.
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1. Spitbank Hotel – Military Sea Fort Turned Boutique Luxury – Seaview, United Kingdom
Everything about this former sea fort screams spy thriller – from arriving by helicopter to the hyper-luxurious interiors that would make James Bond feel right at home. Spitbank Hotel represents one of architecture's most ambitious makeovers, transforming a Victorian military fortress into indulgent accommodation.
Completed in 1878 as a naval defense installation in the Solent, this sea fort was built to protect Portsmouth from potential French invasion. Now it houses just nine rooms, each one a masterclass in how to turn military utilitarianism into boutique luxury.
The transformation is remarkable – what was once designed to keep people out now welcomes them with open arms and champagne service. The unique panoramic views of Portsmouth and the surrounding waters come courtesy of the fort's strategic military positioning, though these days the only thing being defended is your right to absolute relaxation.
