Hotel Destinations With Attitude
I am the sort of person who doesn’t really like to go to the same place twice – there are too many places to go, so many amazing things to see! My last holiday was in Morocco, where I stayed in a Kasbah on top of a mountain, served by teetotal Berbers! It was amazing! If you wish to step out of your comfort zone on holiday, please read on for some amazing places to stay around the world.
The Ice Hotel
Every year, a team of engineers and artist get to work to build one of the most temporary hotels in business –the Ice Hotel.
Image by bjaglin
As winter beings, architects, designers and snow builders come from all over the world to Jukkasjarvi in Swedish Lapland. The snow is sprayed onto massive steel frame structures and allowed to freeze, and then the structures are removed, leaving the ice free standing.This year, in Hotel Number 22, there were 47 rooms built in total, including 1 deluxe suite, 20 ice rooms, 8 snow rooms and 2 group rooms. And of course, there will be plenty of ice for your G&T.
Palacio de Sal – Bolivia
There are those hoteliers who take the idea of sustainable building materials to the next stage – but at least you, as the eco-traveller, will have a clear conscience afterwards! Now, we all know salt is bad for you, but in Bolivia they haven’t heard about that – they even make their hotels out of it! The Palacio de Sal is made entirely of salt – and that means the floors, walls, ceilings and fixtures! The sixteen rooms available resemble igloos, and even the beds that you lie on are made out of salt. I can’t imagine they have any problems with snails and slugs over there, then!
Utter Inn – Sweden
If you like a more fluid experience, how about the unique under water hotel, the Utter Inn? Situated in the middle of Lake Malaren in Sweden, this hotel just looks like a traditional Swedish house on the surface of the water – but underneath there is a whole lot more going on. The one-room belonging to this hotel lies 3m below the surface of the lake, containing just twin beds and a table, but it is certainly a private abode. Guests have their own deck (above sea level!), and can sunbathe, swim, fish and take canoe trips all from their doorstep.
The Hamster Hotel, Nantes, France
For those who really like to push the envelope when it comes to weird residences, this one could be just up their alley. Giving new meaning to the phrase “bolthole”, this hotel room is unique as it allows you to live as a hamster for the duration of your stay. Yes, that includes fur costumes should you so wish, and a romantic spin on a hamster wheel made for two. Other features of the room include a water tube for sipping, containers of organic grain, a step ladder up to the low lying bed, and of course a 2m wide hamster wheel to play on. Groovy.
Montaña Mágica Lodge – Chile
In the middle of a forest in Southern Chile is the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, and it houses one of the most natural hotels ever built.
The Montana Magica is a man-made mountain, using the materials of the forest around it, which also boasts a waterfall spilling out of the summit. This is also complete with a gastronomic restaurant and a conference space, should you require it.
It certainly isn’t run-on-the-mill and you can enjoy all manner of spa treatments while listening to the hum of the deep forest life.
Please let me know of any more unusual hotels to stay – I’m always on the lookout!
Chris Coxon has a thirst for adventure which has taken him around the world. When he’s not trying out new destinations he can be found renovating his home. He also likes to write in his spare time and currently writes blogs for Cavalok cavity closers.