Dreaming of an extraordinary escape? Discover the most unusual places to stay that push the boundaries of conventional accommodation.
From sleeping underwater in the Maldives to dozing in a pinecone-shaped treehouse among California’s redwoods, these remarkable properties redefine what a hotel can be.
Read on to explore 20 incredible destinations that will transform your understanding of where and how you can spend the night.
The World’s 20 Most Unusual Places to Stay
Read on to discover where you can sleep underwater in the Maldives, doze off in a treehouse shaped like a pinecone, or spend the night in a converted Boeing 727 perched in the Costa Rican rainforest.
1. Free Spirit Spheres, Vancouver Island, Canada
Suspended like delicate ornaments in an ancient coastal rainforest, these handcrafted wooden spheres gently sway with the forest’s rhythm.
Each sphere is a masterpiece of engineering and artistry, connected by a network of suspension bridges and spiral staircases.
You’ll find these extraordinary accommodations nestled in the temperate rainforest of Vancouver Island, just outside Qualicum Beach.
2. Treehotel, Sweden
Deep in the northern Swedish forest lies a collection of architectural marvels that redefine the concept of treehouses.
The UFO hovers mysteriously between pines, while the Mirror Cube reflects the forest, seemingly disappearing into the landscape.
Each unique structure, from the Bird’s Nest to the Cabin, offers a perfect blend of cutting-edge design and pristine natural surroundings.
Check prices for the Treehotel in Sweden here.
3. The Skylodge Adventure Suites, Peru
Clinging to Peru’s Sacred Valley cliff face, these transparent capsules perch 400 feet above the ground.
Accessible only by climbing or hiking, these sky-high pods offer panoramic views of the Urubamba Valley, with condors soaring past your window and unforgettable sunrise vistas.
Check prices for the Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru here.
4. Hotel Costa Verde, Costa Rica
A salvaged Boeing 727, transformed into a luxury suite, perches on a coastal jungle plateau in Costa Rica.
This aircraft-turned-hotel features hand-carved teak paneling and a private deck overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park, where toucans and sloths frequent the surrounding canopy.
Check prices for Hotel Costa Verde in Costa Rica here.
5. Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Each winter, artists create this ephemeral masterpiece from ice harvested from Sweden’s Torne River.
Every room is a unique art installation with ice sculptures and crystalline furniture, where thermal sleeping bags ensure a cozy night at -5°C in this magical frozen palace.
Check prices for Icehotel in Sweden here.
6. Bubble Hotel, Iceland
In the pristine Icelandic wilderness, transparent geodesic domes offer front-row seats to the Northern Lights.
These heated bubbles provide perfect aurora viewing in cozy comfort, creating an intimate connection with the Arctic landscape.
7. Montana Magica Lodge, Chile
Rising from Chile’s Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve like a fairy tale, this volcano-shaped lodge erupts with water instead of lava.
Covered in moss and vegetation, the conical structure features cozy rooms with windows peeking through a cascading waterfall.
8. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
In Finnish Lapland, glass igloos provide a perfect Arctic experience with climate-controlled comfort.
Each dome offers unobstructed views of the northern lights from your bed, surrounded by pristine snow-covered forests and wildlife encounters.
Check prices for Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland here.
9. The Muraka at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
In the Maldives, this groundbreaking villa features a master bedroom 16 feet below the Indian Ocean’s surface, with glass walls showcasing marine life.
Above water, minimalist design and infinity pools create a seamless connection between sea and sky.
Check prices for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island here.
10. Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya
Set in a 1930s colonial mansion in Nairobi, this elegant hotel offers breakfast with an extraordinary twist – resident Rothschild’s giraffes poke their heads through the windows to share your morning meal.
The historic property is surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest where these gentle giants roam freely.
11. Sun Cruise Resort, South Korea
Perched atop coastal cliffs in South Korea, this full-sized replica cruise ship offers all the amenities of an ocean voyage without leaving port.
Maritime fixtures and spectacular East Sea views complete the illusion of being at sea.
Check prices for Sun Cruise Resort in South Korea here.
12. Das Park Hotel, Austria
Along Austria’s Danube River, concrete drainage pipes have been transformed into cozy sleeping pods.
Each cylinder offers surprisingly comfortable rooms with essential amenities, showcasing innovative sustainable architecture at its finest.
13. Attrap’Rêves, France
In the Provençal countryside of France, transparent bubbles offer private stargazing sanctuaries.
Each sphere is thoughtfully positioned to combine the romance of sleeping under the stars with boutique hotel comfort.
14. Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Spain
Frank Gehry’s masterpiece rises from Spain’s ancient Rioja vineyards like a ribbon of liquid metal.
The titanium and steel waves in pink, gold, and silver create a stunning contrast with the landscape, while luxurious rooms offer vineyard views through dramatically tilted windows.
Check prices for Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Spain here.
15. Bubble Hotel Bali, Uluwatu
Hidden in Bali’s tropical forest, these transparent domes offer an immersive jungle experience with modern comforts.
Each bubble is privately positioned to maximize views of the lush landscape, letting you fall asleep to nocturnal wildlife sounds.
Check prices for Bubble Hotel Bali in Uluwatu here.
16. Shipwreck Lodge, Skeleton Coast
On Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, these architectural gems mimic the region’s haunting shipwrecks, emerging from desert sands.
Each cabin provides a luxurious haven while embracing the stark beauty of one of Earth’s most remote coastlines.
Check prices for Shipwreck Lodge in Skeleton Coast here.
17. Anantara Golden Triangle, Thailand
In northern Thailand, elevated transparent domes provide a front-row seat to freely roaming elephants.
These climate-controlled Jungle Bubbles combine intimate wildlife viewing with luxury comfort in the heart of elephant country.
Check prices for Anantara Golden Triangle in Thailand here.
18. Lion Sands Treehouses in Tinyeleti Treehouse, South Africa
At Tinyeleti Treehouse in Kruger National Park, an elevated sanctuary offers the ultimate African bush experience.
The open-air platform provides a luxury bed beneath the stars, where you can fall asleep to the sounds of the savanna and wake to lions roaring in the distance, all while staying perfectly secure above the wildlife-rich plains below.
19. The Pinecone Treehouse, California
In California’s redwood forest, this geometric marvel takes the shape of a crystalline pinecone suspended among ancient trees.
The glass and steel structure offers stunning 360-degree views, blending modern design with natural beauty.
20. Kokopelli’s Cave, New Mexico, USA
Carved into a towering sandstone cliff in New Mexico, this modern cave dwelling sits 70 feet below the surface.
The cave’s natural insulation maintains perfect temperatures year-round, while windows frame spectacular views of the Four Corners’ painted desert landscape.
Final Thoughts on the Most Unique Places to Stay in the World
From sleeping in floating spheres and glass igloos to underwater villas and converted airplanes, these extraordinary accommodations prove that the perfect stay can be an adventure in itself.
Ready for more travel inspiration? Discover our guides to the Most Beautiful Cities on Earth, explore adorable Fairytale Destinations in the World, or plan your next adventure to the Most Interesting Countries in the World.
