When was the last time you spent the night in a refurbished airplane? What about within the walls of an ancient cavern? Perhaps on the banks of a majestic salt flat? Whether you’re on the hunt for strange accommodations or properties with an interesting history, these nine hotels and hostels are sure to intrigue.
Hotel Costa Verde, Quepos, Costa Rica
Situated a few minutes west of Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s Hotel Costa Verde offers guests a unique blend of jungle living and, as the hotel puts it, “extraordinary comfort.” The property features over 70 guest rooms built atop lush ridges and sandy bluffs, each location showcasing incredible ocean views and a refreshing dose of seaside breezes. However, while beautiful, Hotel Costa Verde’s studios, homes and bungalows aren’t what makes it unique. Instead, one room category has put this hotel at the top of adventurous vacationers’ bucket lists: the 727 Fuselage Home.
Featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms, guests will notice something unique about the 727 Fuselage Home — it’s fashioned from the shell of a 1965 Boeing 727. That’s right, 50 feet above the trees, vacationers can rest their heads within this retired vintage airframe with its cozy wood paneling, modern furnishings and fantastic scenery. The “home” is outfitted to sleep four to six people, and stays comfortable all year long with air-conditioned bedrooms, a built-in kitchenette and an ocean-view terrace.
Inntel Amsterdam Zaandam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Travelers visiting the Netherlands will find themselves doing a double-take when they encounter Inntel Amsterdam Zaandam, a four-star hotel with a facade made from a collection of 70 houses. A homage to the city of Zaandam, each house represents a traditional home found within the region.
In addition to its intriguing outward appearance, Inntel Amsterdam Zaandam immerses visitors in the local culture with traditional Dutch products, furnishings and more. The hotel is conveniently located just 18 minutes from Amsterdam Central Station by train and a 24-minute train ride (or 31-minute drive) from Schiphol Amsterdam Airport.
Book and Bed, Tokyo, Japan
Have you ever felt so cozy at a bookstore you wished you could stay? At Tokyo’s Book and Bed travelers can do exactly that. The world’s first “hostel library,” Book and Bed features over 1,700 books encouraging guests to browse, read and enjoy. It’s a bookworm’s paradise, and avid readers will find the hotel has everything they need as they fill up on sandwiches and lattes in between flipping pages.
When it’s time to hit the hay, travelers can choose from Book and Bed’s three room categories — Single, Single Comfort or Double —, each of which is a no-frills wooden cubby built directly into the shelves. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, earplugs, luggage storage and various personal hygiene products.
Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Álava, Spain
Part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Luxury Collection, Hotel Marqués de Riscal is a 21st-century chateau designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry. Featuring ribbon-like scaffolding in shades of violet, gold and blue, the property’s contemporary appearance is a striking contrast to its setting in the medieval countryside of Elciego.
Inside, visitors can enjoy regional cuisine and fine wines at the onsite restaurant. Or, for a different way to experience the area’s beloved grapes, travelers can visit Vinothérapie® SPA Caudalie Marqués de Riscal to discover the health benefits and relaxing qualities of the famed fruit.
Palacio de Sal, Colchani, Bolivia
Located on the shores of the Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia’s Palacio de Sal is the world’s first salt hotel. Yes, you read that right, Palacio de Sal is built entirely of salt. And while it may sound strange in theory, the result is a gorgeous color palette boasting natural shades of gold, brown and white, allowing the hotel to exist in perfect harmony with the unique landscape it inhabits.
Featuring domed ceilings and natural textures alongside top-notch amenities, travelers will find themselves feeling anything but salty when they book a stay at this unique hotel. In addition to marveling at the wonder of Uyuni Salt Flat from their rooms, travelers can embrace the spirit of the rare geological formation at Palacio de Sal’s onsite spa where guests can enjoy high-end wellness treatments performed using elements from the area like salt and quinoa.
Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel, Ottawa, Canada
Dating back over 150 years, adventurous travelers can spend the night in a real-life prison cell when they book a stay at Canada’s Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel. Still rocking the same stone walls and iron doors from the days it was in operation, this strange stay is guaranteed to be unlike anything travelers have experienced before.
As for things to do, guests wanting to learn more about their temporary digs can participate in prison tours regularly organized by the hostel. The prison is also conveniently located near popular attractions like Ottawa’s Parliament Buildings, ByWard Market and Rideau Canal.
Bertram’s Hotel, North Devon, United Kingdom
Reminiscent of the double-decker sleeper bus featured in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, travelers can spend their nights snoozing in a big red bus when they stay at Bertram’s Hotel. Instead of cruising the sleepy streets of London, visitors will find themselves in a cozy corner of Fosfelle Country Cottages, with its green countryside, friendly farm animals and convenient beach access.
Bertram’s Hotel sleeps up to five people and consists of several bedrooms, a seating area and bar, a bathroom, a living room and a kitchen — complete with its own fridge and grill. While they can’t take the bus itself for a spin, visitors will be happy to learn Bertram’s Hotel is just a two-minute drive from Hartland Village and 25 minutes from Bideford.
Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita, Matera, Italy
Nestled within Matera, a historic Apennine village turned UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita is an immaculately preserved piece of medieval history with its 18 rooms and ancient church. The unique property is a window into a different time, and guests who decide to stay the night will sleep as the region’s earliest inhabitants did: inside a cave.
Decorated in a minimalist fashion, the guest rooms and suites travelers can stay in today were once ancient dwellings carved into the same stone Matera is perched atop. The walls are sandy and smooth, accompanied by simple white furnishings and warm, candle-like lighting. Unique by nature, no cave is exactly alike, ensuring no visit to this special place is the same.
The Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel
Another member of Marriott Bonvoy’s Luxury Collection, The Jaffa is a 5-star hotel set within a restored 19th-century complex. Once home to the city’s French Hospital, the remanence of the property’s former life can still be seen in colorful vaulted ceilings, arched doorways and unique window shapes. In addition to subtle nods to the hotel’s historic past, one of The Jaffa’s most interesting features is The Chapel, a bar and lounge area situated within the building’s former worship space.
When it comes to accommodations, travelers can expect nothing but the best as each of The Jaffa’s gorgeous guest rooms and suites impress with comforting neutral hues and top-of-the-line amenities. Pair this with intriguing textures and stylish minimalistic furnishings and guests won’t want to leave their rooms. Luckily, they won’t have to as balcony rooms offer incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea, which is conveniently located less than 500 feet away.
Want more? Check out these five adventurous hotels around the world.
About the Author
comments