12 Bizarre and Unusual Hotels Around the World
A hotel doesn’t just have to be a place to rest your head – it can be part of the holiday itself! Here are some of the most bizarre and unusual hotels from around the world for those travellers with a real sense of adventure.
Luangwa Safari House – Zambia
This uniquely shaped, castle-like private house opens up into the beautiful surrounding wilderness. With four rooms subtly designed to incorporate the four elements – water, earth, wind and fire – this luxurious lodge with its dynamic curved architecture and exposed stone makes for a departure from the standard safari accommodation.
Yangshuo Secret Garden Hotel – China
This serene countryside getaway overlooking Yangshuo’s lush rice paddies comprises of 5 Qing Dynasty houses, adjoined by strips of land and ancient stone pathways. The hotel is nestled into the majestic Karst mountains and makes a point of preserving the village’s historic character.
The Highlands – Tanzania
This unparalleled camp set among the forest bordering the Olmoti Crater features stylish domed tents that offer stunning views of one of Africa’s 7 Wonders, the 3 million year old Ngorongoro Crater. Surrounded by biodiversity and wildlife, this camp inside the World Heritage Site national park makes for an unforgettable safari experience.
Ramon’s Village Resort – Belize
This is a striking destination beach and scuba diving resort, located on the beautiful island of Ambergris Caye. With its cabanas styled after the Tahitian cottages of Bora Bora, the cabanas are built from native materials by craftsmen and create a colourful Caribbean paradise surrounded by plant life and Mayan sculptures.
Hotel Atix – Bolivia
This 5-star hotel in one of the 7 Wonder Cities of the World, La Paz, features a modern façade built with native Bolivian wood and Comanche stone, to create a truly avant-garde luxury hotel. Overlooking the rusty red mountains, the accommodation is styled with creative detail throughout from the visionary art work and features constructed by Bolivian artisans Gastón Ugalde.
Ancient Hue Garden House – Vietnam
Ancient Hue offers a journey into Hue’s authentic mandarin residential area, maintaining the essence of the garden house heritage while blending feudal architecture and nature harmoniously together. This magical hotel is complete with a spa and serene swimming pools surrounded by lush gardens.
Kura Design Villas – Costa Rica
Nestled high in the Uvita rainforest, this stylish secluded resort features expansive glass walls, spacious terraces and breathtaking views of the ocean below. With its sleek and modern minimalist design complementing the surrounding wildlife, Kura’s spectacular architecture is as invigorating as it is tranquil.
The Argyle – Sri Lanka
Enjoy beautiful views of Hatton surrounded by abundant greenery, tea-clad landscapes, steep gorges, unbridled forests and cascading waterfalls. The uniquely styled hotel pays tribute to the city’s namesake – a small Scottish town in Aberdeenshire, by incorporating the rich history of both areas, with design echoing the stories of the real-life legends borne of them.
Water Garden – Sri Lanka
Surrounded by rushing lakes and streams, this elegant Sigiriya hotel makes for an incredibly dynamic stay. With the mythical beauty of the Ancient Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, lush green meadows and the water gardens themselves, this enchanting 33 acre property is a sight to behold.
Das Cataras – Argentina
This classically styled Orient-Express hotel has a twist – it’s the only hotel situated within the Iguazú National Park. Beyond the Portuguese-colonial residence’s pink walls, guests can enjoy exclusive access to the magnificent waterfalls after the park is closed.
Skeleton Coast Shipwreck Lodge – Namibia
These shipwreck-shaped cabins are positioned between the dunes of the Skeleton Coast National Park, only 45 km from Möwe Bay. The solitary landscapes are filled with geological history and unique flora and fauna which have adapted to survive in the desert’s harsh conditions – which can all be taken in from your own personal shipwreck.
Bubble Lodges – Mauritius
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience in these transparent structures that allow you to experience the forest around you and truly be at one with the natural world. These bubbles are fully powered by renewable energy, making them ideal for nature lovers who want to be as close as possible to the wildlife with minimal impact.
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