Unique Hotels Around the World
There are countless spectacular places around the world that most of us have never even heard of. Some are truly magical and deserve a top spot on everyone's bucket list.
These 14 unique resorts offer incredible experiences that are unlike any other. From dining with giraffes, to sleeping underwater, this list is worth the read when planning your next adventure.
Birds Nest Resort, China
Sanya Yalong Bay Earthly Paradise Birds Nest Resort, a top forest resort in the world, is situated in Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park, facing the sea surrounded by mountains.
Guests will sleep high up in the trees with a view like no other.
Dmitrii Erekhinskii, Shutterstock
Birds Nest Resort: Accommodations
There are 210 villa guest rooms, which look like wooden bird’s nests smartly built in the tropical rainforest and on the sheer cliffs and steep mountains.
All buildings on the resort are built with rosewood and natural materials, and decorated with a plain and natural style, made to look like real bird houses (with luxury amenities inside).
Dmitrii Erekhinskii, Shutterstock
Birds Nest Resort: Restaurants
There are three themed restaurants at the resort, all located at high altitudes.
The restaurants serve Western, Thai, and Southeast Asian cuisine, with a variety of coffee, tea, wine, and other beverages.
Dmitrii Erekhinskii, Shutterstock
Birds Nest Resort: Amenities
Birds Nest Resort offers a spectacular luxury spa centering on self-cultivation coupled with stunning Forest, Mountain and Sea views.
It also offers an outdoor pool, a spa center, a fitness center, a child’s playground, a sun terrace, and more.
Birds Nest Resort: Activities
There are also various hiking trails, a cultural discovery tour, and many amenities for weddings and honeymooners, and more.
Dmitrii Erekhinskii, Shutterstock
The Wigwam Motel, California
The Wigwam Motel is not exactly a luxury hotel, but it is a unique experience. Guests at the motel can stay in tee-pee style buildings while they enjoy the local amenities of the historically significant site.
The Wigwam Motel: Accommodations
Guests can stay in tee-pee style buildings called Wigwams. Each wigwam has an electric door lock for safety, and comes with modern amenities such as room-side parking, free Wi-Fi, a full sized bathroom, TV, mini fridge, and AC/heat.
The Wigwam Motel: Amenities
Amenities at the Wigwam Motel include an outdoor pool, free coffee, and other beverages, and an on-site classic car collection to view.
Activities are limited as it is assumed guests will explore the local area attractions and restaurants.
Hotel Tapasoli , Mexico
Hotel Tapasoli is a charming boutique hotel that looks exactly like The Shire from The Lord of the Rings. It's known as the Hobbit Hotel due to its hobbit-like lodging.
Hotel Tapasoli: Accommodations
The hotel offers burrow-style rooms that can accommodate 2-4 persons. The amenities range based on the room chosen, however most come with large beds, a full bathroom, air conditioning, and a wood-burning fireplace.
The rooms are “inspired by nature and designed to make you feel like you are in a fairy tale".
Hotel Tapasoli: Restaurants
Hotel Tapasoli serves traditional Mexican cuisine made with fresh ingredients sourced from local farms. Guests can enjoy their meals on the terrace while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
The bar has a wide variety of cocktails and drinks prepared by expert mixologists, so you can enjoy a unique experience of flavors and aromas.
Hotel Tapasoli: Activities
One of the most impressive features of Hotel Tapasoli is its garden, which is filled with exotic flowers and has a pond-style pool in the center.
Guests can also partake in guided tours of the area, and walk the local hiking trails that lead to spectacular waterfalls and canyons.
Hubertus Hotel, Italy
Hubertus Hotel is known as a place of peace, often referring to its location as being “between heaven and Earth”.
The resort is surrounded by unspoiled mountains amidst the Dolomite Alps in Italy—one of the world’s most beautiful mountain landscapes. But it is most known for its glass bottom infinity pool.
Hubertus Hotel: Accommodations
There are several suites available during both the summer and winter months. Some suites come with Jacuzzis and saunas, and all of them come with a panoramic view of the mountains.
They’re all equipped with luxury amenities, and can accommodate singles, couples, and families.
Pandora Pictures, Shutterstock
Hubertus Hotel: Activities
The activities at Hubertus are nothing short of amazing.
Amenities include: a fitness center, various pools and saunas, cooking classes, and a full-service, award-winning spa that is complete with an infinity pool with glass walls so you can see above, below, and beyond while you float.
Hubertus Hotel: Activities
Other activities include: Snow sports, hiking and mountaineering, cycling, golfing, farming, river rafting, horseback riding, paragliding, tennis, and zip-lining on Europe's longest zipline.
Hubertus Hotel: Restaurant
There are numerous places to eat at Hubertus Hotel, including one dining spot that offers a five- to six-course menu as well as unforgettable themed evenings that will take you from the high mountains of South Tyrol to the fertile coasts of Italy.
There is also an award-winning wine cellar that boasts over 300 different labels.
Giraffe Manor, Africa
Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, and is known as one of the most unique places to stay in the world.
This hotel blends wildlife encounters with hospitality in the most magical way—a herd of giraffes roam the grounds and poke their heads into windows looking for treats.
Dmitry Vozdvizhenskiy, Shutterstock
Giraffe Manor: Accommodations
Giraffe Manor offers a variety of lodges at their multiple locations in Africa. From rugged landscape views to breath-taking panoramas, each lodge has a unique environment with distinct features.
Giraffe Manor: Amenities
Giraffe Manor offers courtyards, lounges, a full-service spa, a café, a fitness center, a steam room, and, of course, the giraffe sanctuary.
Giraffe Manor: Activities
There are countless activities available at Giraffe Manor, with the most popular being breakfast with giraffes. Other activities include: various wildlife excursions, afternoon tea, horseback riding, hiking, and more.
Anastasia Slunkova, Shutterstock
Naucalpan De Juárez, Mexico
Naucalpan de Juárez is a quirky looking condo that is rented out as an Airbnb. It resembles a large serpent that twists through the forest near Mexico City.
This unique-style building was featured in Architectural Digest in 2022.
Naucalpan De Juárez: Accommodations
Naucalpan de Juárez is actually a collection of 10 houses developed by the same architect. The complex is situated inside a natural ecosystem filled with trees, glens, and wild fauna.
Naucalpan De Juárez: Amenities
Each house sleeps 10 people and is fully equipped with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and laundry room, and comes with complimentary bread, fruit, coffee and tea.
Manta Resort, Tanzania
At Manta Resort you sleep in a room that is submerged underwater, and you can only get to it by speedboat.
Fish and sea creatures swim directly up to the large bedroom windows, making it an unforgettable and unique experience.
Manta Resort: Accommodations
The rooms at Manta Resort are fully submerged with above-living space on a private floating island.
Other accommodations are available and include private family villas which are not submerged but sit beside the sea, and garden villas.
Manta Resort: Amenities
The resort includes a stunning dining terrace, a full-service spa, a lounge, a beach bar, a large coral beach, a large outdoor pool, and more.
Manta Resort: Activities
There are a number of activities to enjoy at Manta Resort, including, but not limited to: diving, fishing, mainland safaris, and various excursions both inland and on the ocean.
Manta Resort: Restaurant
Manta Resort has an award-winning restaurant called The Seaview Restaurant.
Overlooking the ocean, the elevated terrace is where guests go to enjoy delicious Tanzanian cuisine which includes fresh seafood, beef, chicken, and vegan dishes.
yuichiro anazawa, CC BY 3.0 , Wikimedia Commons
The Shire, Montana, USA
Inspired by The Lord of the Rings, the Shire of Montana is a magical underground experience that offers a glimpse into the lives of hobbits. It’s set on 15 acres of private land in the expansive Montana wilderness, with incredible views for as far as the eye can see.
The Shire: Accommodations
This luxury hotel includes an adorable little cabin carved out of the hillside, detailed to look and feel like a real Hobbit home. Every little detail is considered, from the Gandalf frosted glass and the ring of power dangling from a bean, to your own hairy-footed slippers.
The Shire: Accommodations
Each 1,000-square-foot cottage IS built underground, and is equipped with a king bedroom, a small guest bedroom, a full kitchen & BBQ, a living room with wood stove, and a full bathroom. All furnishings are beautifully handmade.
There’s also XM radio, an HD-Satellite flat screen TV, a Blu-ray player and CDs, and free Wi-Fi.
The Shire: Amenities
The adults-only resort boasts the Hobbit theme throughout the entire property. The trees are decorated like friendly Ents, there is a troll mining pit, and many famous hobbits live locally.
There are beautifully painted murals throughout, and various detailed gardens that immerse you into Tolkien’s world. The entire Shire overlooks their scenic Whitepine Ranch which boasts an old fashioned, red barn built in 1918 and a pond that brings in a myriad of waterfowl.
Bivacco Gervasutti, Italy
Hanging over the edge of a cliff at 9,301 feet (2,835 meters), Bivacco Gervasutti is not a place for the faint-hearted.
Bivouacs are small shelters in usually hard-to-reach places, designed to be shelters for climbers, skiers, and snowboarders. To get to this one, you must climb a challenging ascent—but the views are unforgettable.
jiel, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bivacco Gervasutti: Accommodations
The futuristic mountain capsule is a state-of-the-art structure equipped with solar panels and modern technology. It was designed and built by Italian architects Luca Gentilcore and Stefano Testa, using helicopters to fly in each section.
Bivacco Gervasutti: Accommodations
The unique capsule includes living and dining areas and two sleeping quarters that can accommodate up to 12 people. It uses solar power for heating and lighting, and even has internet access.
Anyone capable of the challenging ascent from Val Ferret by foot is welcome to visit and stay in the bivouac.
Arnaud Marquis, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bambu Indah, Bali
The Bambu Indah is an eco-lifestyle resort consisting of small traditional Javanese homes built using only natural materials. While it may sound simple at first, it's actually an incredibly luxurious experience.
The resort offers magnificent panoramic views of traditional Balinese rice paddies in the valley.
Bambu Indah: Accommodations
The resort offers 11 antique Javanese bridal homes that were restored and modernized in Bali.
There are only 13 suites, but each one is completely unique and tastefully decorated. The walls are made of bamboo and antique Javanese teak.
Bambu Indah: Accommodations
Each suite is equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, antique handmade furniture, and locally made art. Various sized suites are available, as well as outdoor living tents.
All of them offer your usual hotel amenities, such as robes, toiletries, a coffee maker, mini bar, and more.
Bambu Indah: Amenities
The hotel also offers luxurious spa treatments, local experiences, outdoor activities, and one of the most idyllic natural swimming pools in the area.
A favorite among guests are the daily yoga classes in their majestic Minang house made of black bamboo, and candlelit dinners overlooking the river valley.
Bambu Indah: Restaurant
The hotel’s Dapoer Restaurant offers organic Balinese and traditional Indonesian home-cooking as well as fresh and healthy meals, with vegetables hand-picked from their own organic garden.
The majority of the meals are vegetarian, with vegan options changing daily according to the harvest and the chef’s inspiration.
Baumhaus Hotel, Germany
The Baumhaus Hotel is a fantasy-themed treehouse retreat located in a German national park. The fairy-tale vibe is strong—expect wonky walls, dizzying colors, and a lot of fun!
Baumhaus Hotel: Accommodations
The hotel offers eight whimsical treehouses in a “wood settlement” that are accessible through spiraling walkways and are decorated in many whimsical ways.
Each treehouse is completely unique with varying décor, old, handmade furniture, and intriguing designs and colors.
qwesy qwesy, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Baumhaus Hotel: Accommodations
Your treehouse accommodation will include sleeping arrangements—whether they’re bunk beds, cots, or full-size luxury beds—a small kitchen, bathroom, a woodstove, and a balcony. They vary in size, so some may offer more living space than others.
Some bathrooms have antique wooden tubs!
Kulturinsel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Baumhaus Hotel: Amenities
On site, you’ll also find a small campsite available for use where special meals are cooked on an open fire.
Guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, and even a zip-line. It also features a petting zoo, water games, labyrinths, bowling, and billiards.
The fantasy theme is prevalent throughout the grounds with various carved and painted trolls and fairies dotting the area.
Inntel Zaandam, Amsterdam
Inntel Zaandam is said to be the most eye-catching hotel in Amsterdam. The city center of Zaandam has a typical Zaan appearance, and this 3D puzzle-looking hotel is the main spectacle.
Since its opening in 2010, it has become a major tourist attraction. And in 2016, CNN labeled it as “the most unusual hotel in the world".
Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Inntel Zaandam: Accommodations
The Inntel Zaandam is 12 stories high and boasts 70 Zaanse houses that appear as though they’re stacked on top of each other.
And the inside is just as creative as the outside.
Microtoerisme, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Inntel Zaandam: Accommodations
Inside, the spacious rooms are decorated in a modern way but with traditional accents and vintage photographs. There are various sized suites available. Some come with a rain shower and whirlpool tub, and all have Wi-Fi and your typical hotel amenities.
Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Inntel Zaandam: Amenities
This luxury hotel boasts a full-service spa connected to a shopping center in Zaandam. It also has an on-site bar, a state-of-the-art indoor pool, a fitness center, room service, and more.
Microtoerisme, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Inntel Zaandam: Restaurants
On-site is a stunning restaurant called Puur Saen—which uses only pure and local ingredients of the Zaan region. Enjoy your dinner on the beautiful terrace by the water, and an international breakfast buffet in the morning.
Nimb Hotel, Copenhagen
The Nimb Hotel looks like a fairy-tale palace straight out of the Arabian Nights. If you like luxury with an oriental twist, you should check this place out.
In 2015, Nimb was named “Hotel of the Year” among 520 hotels in 82 different countries in the network Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
It’s also the only hotel in Denmark to have a rooftop pool.
Charlie, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Nimb Hotel: Design
Located in Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens—the second oldest amusement park in the world—this luxury hotel is infused with signature art pieces and a Moorish-influenced design that combines modern with antique features.
Nimb Hotel: Accommodations
There are 38 uniquely decorated rooms that boast four-post beds, an open fire, and various antique furnishings throughout. The bathroom has a freestanding bathtub, and every room comes with yoga mats so you can enjoy some morning stretches on your personal terrace.
Nimb Hotel: Amenities
The Nimb Hotel also has an incredible rooftop terrace that features an emerald green pool, an outdoor shower, and a spectacular view of the Tivoli Gardens.
As with most luxury hotels, Nimb also has a fitness center, and a wellness center with a full-service spa, a steam room, and free refreshments.
Nimb Hotel: Restaurant
On-site is a classic Danish open-face sandwich restaurant called Fru Nimb. They use only local, fresh produce. For each season, the head chef creates a three-course menu of the best ingredients on hand.
If luxury sandwiches aren’t your thing, the hotel has another restaurant called Nimb Brasserie that serves French classic dishes. It also has an American cocktail bar.
And finally, Cakenhagen is a “genuine wonderland for the sweet tooth". Here, you’ll find dozens of delicious cakes and pastries.
Kolarbyn, Sweden
On the complete other end of the spectrum is the STF Kolarbyn—a back-to-basics eco lodge deep in the Swedish forest. It’s Sweden’s most primitive hostel.
This is the farthest thing from luxury, but there’s no shortage of unspoiled nature. If you enjoy camping, this is definitely a cool place to check out.
Stfturist1885, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kolarbyn: Accommodations
There are 12 traditional charcoal huts and a handful of logger’s cabins. All huts have their own fireplace, but you have to chop your own wood to keep the hut warm. You can also enjoy a steamy sauna by the lake.
The huts all have inflatable mattresses, and sleeping bags on soft sheepskin. The larger cabins have double beds. Oh, and there’s no electricity or running water—but they do provide candles.
Holger.Ellgaard, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kolarbyn: Facilities
By now you may be wondering where guests do their business. Don’t worry, the Kolarbyn Eco Lodge has two outdoor toilets with nearby washbasins and a natural water source.
A simple shower is also available—but you have to heat the water first over your fire. Teeth brushing and face washing is done at the stream.
Holger.Ellgaard, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kolarbyn: Amenities
There’s a range of activities to choose from at Kolarbyn: floating saunas, meditation, wolf-howling, hiking, fishing, canoeing & boating, horseback riding, and bushcraft and survival courses.
A communal gathering place with a large covered fireplace is used for socializing.
Kolarbyn: Food Accommodation
Obviously, there aren’t any restaurants here. But they do have seven fireplaces around the area for cooking. They also provide kitchen equipment as well as a forest pantry with carefully selected ingredients that you can easily use to prepare simple and rustic meals.
A "dinner basket" is also available, which is a meal prepared for you. It includes a variety of different foods, dishes, wine glasses, a cutting board, and napkins.
There is also a natural spring close by, and you are welcome to bring your own food.
Final Thoughts
These hotels are not your typical hotels, they offer a truly unique experience that you cannot get anywhere else in the world.
Ranging in price, there is something interesting for everyone. What’s next on your bucket list?
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