This is the story of how Finland's former largest and most dangerous prison was turned into a boutique hotel. Kakola Prison was opened in 1863 to host notorious criminals behind the thick granite walls. The correctional facility was built on Turku's second highest point, the Kakolanmäki Hill.

The Finns' beloved passion of spending their free time sweating in wooden huts above 200 Fahrenheit (90°C) is something they share with their Estonian brothers. The Iglupark is a unique concept in the hippest part of Tallinn, where life circles around saunas. Iglupark is a new project consisting of three …

The salt mine in Wieliczka is a significant tourist attraction and is visited yearly by over a million people. Operation of the mine ceased in 1996, after over 750 years of continuous operation. It's one of Europe's oldest salt mines and consists of a labyrinth of tunnels of over 124 …

Ios, famous for attracting the affluent youth of European countries and for its vibrant nightlife, has something new to show off. A retreat that's so hidden from all the commercial noise, it has its own helipad and boat port in case you would find the road leading there lengthy. However, …

The quirkiness starts from the moment you enter the 19th-century freemasons' lodge house. This former meeting place has inspired the concept of Mystery Hotel. The receptions carpet climbing up the ceiling is reminiscent of the magic carpet of Aladdin. Paintings on the walls "come to life" as the subjects in …

Prague, the capital city of Czechia famous for its spectacular old town, is home to a quirky hotel. The LH Vintage Design Hotel Sax paves the way for a new generation of unique accommodation. It takes inspiration and uses vintage décor and spins them into a modern design with flourishing …

Prague's Žižkov Television Tower is a unique example of high-tech architecture built in 1992. Its iconic but controversial design by Václav Aulický was further deepened by the appearance of "miminka"; the crawling baby sculptures on its facade by the Czech artist David Černý in 2000. However, recent years have seen …

A truly Arctic experience awaits you at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, Finland. Located in the Arctic Circle, the structure of this hotel encompasses Scandinavian design and Lappish traditions. The hotel is nestled atop a hill with floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms, offering splendid views of the surrounding forest, …

Soviet architecture divides the crowd. Visionary? Old-fashioned? Straight-up ugly? You can decide for yourself by immersing in the Soviet-style interiors for a few nights. The building, which now houses Hotel Sovietsky in Moscow, served as a venue for government delegations under Stalin. It was revived in the 90s as a …

Sultanahmet is a historic area of Istanbul containing the famous Blue Mosque. It used to play host to chariot races – Ben Hur style and is one of the world's most popular destinations. To stay in a luxury design hotel is a dream for many. So why not dream about …

Right at the corner of the famously beautiful Tatra National Park, a posh camping site with majestic views awaits you. Glamping is a new trend of making camping comfier or even outright luxurious. Tatra Glamp belongs to this latter group, offering accommodation inside four spherical domes. Have you seen a …

To be, or not to be? Or rather, the question here is, to sleep in a hotel or a hostel? That's the concept behind MeetMe23´s ho(?)tel wordplay. And the answer is most likely depending on your budget and how much privacy you would prefer to have for your awesome stay …

Situated in the old town of the cheerful little Moravian town of Omolouc, Long Story Short prides itself to be different from the rest. It's founded on the principle that hostels don't have to look cheap, nor should they serve dry toasts for breakfast. Instead, they have a magical garden …

In the smallest Baltic state, post-Soviet development has seen a dramatic pace. Estonia's prosperity fueled by technocracy made into the most digitally advanced country in the world. This thriving for modernity trickles down to architecture as well. Creative minds have turned an abandoned tsarist-era railway depot upside down and made …

Montenegro, the land of rugged mountains, medieval villages, and the breathtaking Adriatic coast, is Croatia's often overlooked Southern neighbor. The town of Herceg Novi is, in fact, only a boat ride away from reaching Croatia through the sun-sparkled seas of Boka Bay. One&Only Portonovi resort is the new addition to …

Located in the Finnish Lapland, Arctic Guesthouse & Igloos is a unique place where people can stay in one of the ten mobile igloos. The clever invention of glass igloos allowed experiencing natural phenomenons such as the aurora borealis through large panoramic glass panels. However, AuroraHut goes a step further. …

The luxurious interiors of The State Hermitage Official Hotel will take you straight back to the bygone era of an old-fashioned romance and regal opulence, very fittingly for one of the most poetic cities in the world. This 19th-century mansion was turned into a 5-star hotel, but it didn't lose …

Situated 4000 meters above sea level, LEAPrus Eco Hotel is located on the slopes of Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. A one of a kind eco-hotel, it offers astonishing panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks. Designed by a team of Italian architects specializing in making accommodations for extreme …

Located in the city center on Granary Island, PURO Gdansk is a functional work of art. It is the fourth offering of the hip Polish hotel brand PURO. The hotel's facade is modern with large glass surfaces, but it follows the traditional architectural shapes of Gdansk. London-based creative studio DeSallesFlint …

The city of Warsaw quite literally rose from its ashes after the Second World War, and so did the Branicki Residential House, also known as Smolna40. It was bombed and robbed, and it was completely rebuilt after the war. This picturesque eclectic building is where the iconic Hotel Indigo Warsaw …