Travelling is all about collecting new experiences. Whether you’re roughing it and living out of a backpack for months on end, or treating yourself to a little getaway, one of the best ways to explore a country is through its accommodation. Here are some of the more unusual places visitors can stay and rest their heads for the night.
Located in the heart of the Wadi Rum Desert in Southern Jordan sits the most luxurious and stunning camping experience you’ll ever have. The Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp site is dotted with bubble shaped tents, complete with all the amenities you’ll ever need. Here, nestled between jagged cliffs and sand dunes you can witness the milky way flow across the perfectly clear glowing night sky.
If heights don’t freak you out then maybe it’s worth considering a stay in the incredible Crane Hotel Faralda Amsterdam. Situated on the banks of the river IJ, the converted crane towers over the centre of Amsterdam. Used as an event space and accommodation option, the hotel features three five-star suites and a complete panoramic view of the city. This is living the high life, literally.
Hidehout Bali is the perfect getaway for the eco-conscious traveller. Hidden in mountains of Gunung Agung volcano in Bali this little bamboo house is your off the grid home away from home. Built in 2015, the Hideout was handcrafted with locally sourced bamboo and created with the support of local workers. For a taste of uniquely authentic Balinese life, the Hideout is awaiting your arrival.
In the sleepy town of Lauriston, a little over an hour from Melbourne, is Camp Kulning, a getaway like nowhere else. Camp Kulning consists of two little accommodation options, a refurbished 1920s Australian tram and an incredibly kitsch 1950s caravan. Here you can relax, enjoy the bonfire during the frosty winter evenings and nab a drink or two from the camp’s little tiki bar.
Positioned in the Arctic Circle, the Arctic Treehouse Hotel is an unforgettable way to really immerse yourself in the true beauty of Finland’s stunning natural surroundings. Boasting spectacular views over the treetops, the box-shaped suites have a fully glass wall offering a panoramic view of the astounding Northern Lights.
The iconic London landmark St Pancras Clocktower in St Pancras Station is actually home to a tidy little apartment, and guess what? You can stay there! The two-bedroom apartment features a 10-metre high ceiling and still boasts many of its original 19th-century features. Looking down over Kings Cross Station, the view of London from the apartment is arguably one of the best in the world.
Size-wise accommodation options are always pretty tight when it comes to Tokyo, but Caravan Tokyo located in Aoyama, in the heart of Shibuya feels a lot more spacious than its humble exterior lets on. Custom built by local craftspeople, Caravan Tokyo sits inside the happening arts and food center Commune 246. Being both central but spacious it’s definitely not your typical Tokyo apartment.
The team behind Kakslauttanen Igloo Village have crafted the perfect way to experience Finland’s most stunning natural attraction, the Northern Lights. Located in the Finnish Laplands, these snow sprinkled in-ground glass igloos let you sleep directly underneath the country’s famous lights, but you probably wont want to sleep, because this is guaranteed to be better than your dreams.
Like the idea of camping but the reality is just a little too rough? In Melbourne the crew at St Jerome’s Hotel have the perfect solution for you. Located atop a skyscraper in the city’s CBD is the ultimate urban camping experience. The bell tents are equipped with all the amenities you’d expect at a five-star hotel and your new urban campground also features a rooftop bar and complimentary breakfast.
If you’ve ever wanted to live inside a multi-dimensional work of art then Cabana Floripa in Florianópolis, Brazil is where you have got to head. This two-bedroom cabin sits on the mountainside while its 360 degree glass gives visitors the illusion that they’re levitating above the mountaintop. Full of colour, it was designed with the eco-friendly idea of reusing demolition material and glass bottles to craft its own individual style.
Nestled in a quiet corner of the village of Goreme in Turkey is the family-run Divan Cave House. The rooms here are in fact crafted from the local caves, making it a fully immersive experience. Beyond the cave rooms, the hotel is also home to an incredible lookout where visitors can witness the city’s skyline as it’s littered with hot air balloons. Get that camera ready.
In South Africa there’s a new take on the safari holiday. The Safari Rooftop trailer atop the iconic Cape Town Grandaddy Hotel is just one of the seven different airstream trailers that boast their own individual theme. Inside this two-person trailer the interior has captured the authentic beauty of Africa with animal-style designs and rich wooden paneling. You’ve never experienced a safari like this before.
When you’re after a place to fully relax and rejuvenate body and mind, look no further than a stay at Playa Viva Mexico. This yoga retreat, resort, eco-luxury boutique hotel, and treehouse hideout is many things, but what’s arguably most exciting is that it’s home to its own little burrito-style hut. With an ocean view and secluded location it’s the perfect place to enjoy Mexico’s beauty.
Who knew concrete sewerage pipes could be so cute? Located in Ottensheim, Austria, and Essen in Germany, Das Park Hotel is minimalist ingenuity at its best. Given their robust nature, these pipes are difficult to dispose of, so Das Park came up with this eco-friendly solution. Each cozy room comes with a two-person bed, shelving, and a skylight.
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Bubble Iceland, Iceland
Ever wanted to live in an Icelandic bubble? Probably not, but when you see these cute little campsite hotel hybrids you’ll want to. Located around 70 minutes from Reykjavik in Iceland, the exact Bubble Iceland site is secret to maintain privacy for visitors. Here you can enjoy the illusion of sleeping in nature, while watching the stars shoot past and witnessing the midnight sun during the warmer summer seasons, all from the comfort of your own bed.
