Tired of the same boring hotel stays? Check out these bizarre places to spend the night. From a hotel made of ice to a see-through pod hanging off a cliff in Peru, these are some of the most unique hotels in the world!
Holiday Inn and Motel 6 are fine when you've been driving all day long and need a break. But if you're looking for a place to stay that's truly out-of-this-world, then you need to book a night at one of the most bizarre hotels around the world.
We're talking crazy experiences like sleeping inside a giant intestine, crashing in a hotel made of ice, or spending the night in a glass capsule bolted to a cliff. The sky really is the limit!
CasAnus, Kemzeke, Belgium
The quirky CasAnus in Belgium is a one-room hotel shaped like a giant chunk of human intestine (yes, really), ending in exactly the body part the name suggests. It was designed by Dutch artist Joep van Lieshout.
Surprisingly, this humble abode is sparkling clean inside, despite what the name might suggest. You'll find plenty of peace and quiet in the artsy sculpture, which sits in the sculpture park at the Verbeke Foundation, a private art space in Kemzeke, between Ghent and Antwerp. Overnight stays are booked directly with the foundation, so get in touch ahead of time to check availability.
Cinderella Castle Suite, Orlando, Florida
Cinderella (or at least, her castle) has been keeping a secret all this time! As it turns out, there's a hidden suite inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. The space was originally planned as an apartment for Walt Disney and his family, but Walt passed away before the castle was built, and Disney finally turned it into a royal suite in the mid-2000s. It sleeps up to six people, and it's truly straight out of a fairytale book.
Unfortunately, you can't book it. The only way to spend a night in this secret room (with its stained-glass windows and mosaic-tiled bathroom) is to be chosen in one of Disney's rare contests or special giveaways. If you're heading to Disney World anyway, here's what to pack for Disney World.
Wizard of Oz Room at The Roxbury, Roxbury, New York
Ask for the Wizard's Emeralds room at The Roxbury, a themed hotel in New York's Catskill Mountains. This room proves there really is no place like home, thanks to its "Wizard of Oz" inspired decorations plastered all over the place. Almost everything in the room is emerald green, the famous yellow brick road runs right through the room, and a mural of the gorgeous Emerald City is hand-painted on the walls.
Guests looking to sip some wine will be delighted by the ruby slipper wine bottle holder. And when the poppy-painted bathroom makes you sleepy, you'll be able to rest your head on a pillow that looks like the Wicked Witch of the East's legs and an emerald bedspread fit for a wizard or the king of Oz.
Skylodge Adventure Suites, Sacred Valley, Peru
Located in Peru's Sacred Valley, the Skylodge Adventure Suites let guests sleep in see-through capsules hanging off a cliff face, about 400 meters (1,300 feet) above the valley floor. This adventure lodge is certainly not for the faint of heart (you get up there by climbing a via ferrata or by hiking and ziplining), but it's oh-so worth it! Thanks to the 300-degree views, you can watch the sun set over the Sacred Valley without leaving your bed.
Worried about how you'll be able to live in one of these glass pods? Don't be. Each capsule comes with comfortable beds, a dining area and a private bathroom, and dinner and breakfast are included. The Sacred Valley is about an hour and a half from Cusco, so it pairs nicely with a few days in Cusco.
Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel), Quebec, Canada
About 30 minutes from Quebec City, guests can stay at the Hôtel de Glace (or Ice Hotel) at Village Vacances Valcartier. It's rebuilt from snow and ice every winter, with around 30 regular and themed suites, and it's usually open from late December or early January until mid-March, weather permitting.
The rooms stay just below freezing, so you'll sleep in an arctic sleeping bag. But you don't have to rough it completely: every stay comes with a regular room at the nearby Hôtel Valcartier for showers and your luggage, and there are outdoor hot tubs and saunas to warm up in. Some suites even have a fireplace, which is a pretty cool thing to find in a room made of ice. Planning to spend a few nights in the city too? Here's where to stay in Quebec City.
Wilton Castle, Bree, Ireland
Wilton Castle in Bree, County Wexford, sits beside the River Boro, surrounded by Irish hills, parkland and acres of woodland. On the outside, the castle and its tapering towers look like a scene straight out of a childhood fairy tale book.
On the inside, the castle has four self-catering apartments, each with its own sitting room and fully equipped kitchen. You can book a single apartment or the whole castle. Make sure to check out their website, too, since County Wexford has festivals and events throughout the year, like the summer Strawberry Festival in nearby Enniscorthy. If castles are your thing, don't miss our list of the most beautiful castles in the world.
Treehotel, Harads, Sweden
The Treehotel in Swedish Lapland will bring out the kid in every guest with its nine uniquely designed tree rooms. One looks like a flying saucer, another is a mirrored cube that almost disappears into the forest, and the 7th Room sits about 10 meters (33 feet) above the ground. Some rooms at the Treehotel are reached by bridges and ramps, while others, like the UFO, mean climbing a ladder.
If you're staying between September and March, you might even get to see the wondrous dance of lights known as the aurora borealis.
Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Elciego, Spain
Surrounded by vineyards in Spain's Rioja wine region is the Hotel Marqués de Riscal in the village of Elciego. It'll be easy to spot this fabulous work of architecture by Frank Gehry, thanks to the curvy ribbons of pink, gold and silver titanium swirling over the roof. The interiors are pretty jaw-dropping, too.
Guests can unwind at the hotel's wine-therapy spa and tour the historic Marqués de Riscal winery next door. Add a few more stops from our list of the best places to visit in Spain and you've got yourself a trip.
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam, Zaandam, Netherlands
Just outside Amsterdam in the town of Zaandam, the Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam has a pool, sauna and Turkish steam bath to help guests relax. But the look of the hotel is what will really wow you. From the outside it looks like a bunch of traditional green Zaan houses that have been stacked on top of each other.
There are about 70 houses in the stack, and one blue house is a nod to Claude Monet's painting The Blue House in Zaandam. It's like someone was playing Tetris but with homes instead of blocks. Best of all, the hotel is right next to Zaandam train station, and trains to Amsterdam Centraal take about 15 minutes, so you can easily head out and explore the city.
Hopefully one of these bizarre hotels has made it onto your travel wish list! For more unique travel experiences, check out these ideas:
Tammy Coulter says
Thank you!