10 Mesmerizing Hotels To Stay In From Around The World

What's the most thrilling aspect of your journey? While some may argue it's the journey itself or perhaps the destination, others find the anticipation of their accommodation to be the most exhilarating. Isn't it true that our lodging during a trip tends to stir up our excitement the most? After all, our chosen hotel plays a significant role in enhancing our travel experience. For a brief period, it becomes our home away from home, offering the comfort and convenience we crave. The idea of everything being meticulously clean and easily accessible via a simple phone call brings a sense of relief. Staying at any hotel, no matter how luxurious, is an indulgence in its own right.

Have you ever embarked on a journey solely to experience a particular hotel? It's a rare occurrence for a hotel to become the focal point of a trip. However, after reading this blog, you might find yourself seeking out such experiences more often! Curious as to how? What if we told you that your next adventure could involve sleeping underwater, under the stars, aboard a landlocked cruise ship, or even within a desert palace crafted entirely from salt? How about checking into a repurposed Boeing 727? This isn't a jest! For those intrepid travelers seeking to break free from the ordinary, it's time to expand your horizons beyond traditional luxury accommodations. If you're eager to infuse an otherworldly element into your next international excursion, we present to you a selection of the world's most extraordinary, offbeat hotels. Prepare to be amazed as these establishments redefine the concept of a 'stay,' injecting excitement and whimsy into your holiday. With this list of ten unconventional hotels from around the globe, we're certain you'll be itching to make your reservations!

# The Muraka at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort

Remember the awe we felt seeing 'Shakaal's' lair in the movie 'Shaan'? Since then, the allure of staying deep underwater has captivated us all. There exists a place where we can turn this fascination into reality by fulfilling our lifelong dream of sleeping on the ocean floor! It's not just a dream—it's a reality waiting for you at The Muraka, located within the Conrad Rangali Island Resort in the Maldives.

The Muraka is a groundbreaking, two-level luxury residence featuring a master bedroom submerged over 16 feet below sea level in the Indian Ocean. Its most remarkable feature is the immersive experience it offers amidst the mesmerizing marine life of the Maldives. This extraordinary accommodation ensures a truly unique and surreal experience. Upon arrival, guests can opt for a private seaplane or a journey by private speedboat from the main resort. Once there, you'll be escorted along The Muraka's jetty by your personal island host. Above water, indulge in private 24-hour butler and chef service, along with access to a fitness trainer, spa treatments, and private jet skis. Below the ocean's surface, immerse yourself in your private aquarium and architectural marvel, including a master bedroom with a 180-degree curved acrylic dome, floor-to-ceiling windows in the bathroom and walk-in closet, and a dedicated tunnel viewing theater.

You might wonder if indulging in such ultimate luxury comes at a hefty price. Indeed, it does, but don't let that deter you. Even if staying seems out of reach, you can still experience the magic by dining at Conrad's undersea restaurant, named 'Ithaa'. If a trip to the Maldives is on your horizon, make diving into this underwater fantasy a must-do on your bucket list!

# Giraffe Manor, Kenya

Imagine being greeted by long-necked friends poking their heads into your hotel room windows! We're not talking about human friends but actual giraffes! Experience this extraordinary encounter at the enchanting Giraffe Manor in Kenya, where you not only welcome these special guests but also extend your hospitality by feeding them. This exclusive 12-room boutique hotel is one of the world's most unique accommodations.

With its elegant interiors, beautiful gardens, charming courtyards, and timeless allure, Giraffe Manor transports you to a bygone era when European visitors flocked to East Africa for safaris. This elegant heritage property, situated nearly 6,000 feet above sea level, was built in 1932.

Home to a herd of endangered Rothschild's giraffes, Giraffe Manor offers guests the opportunity to interact with these majestic creatures as they stretch their long necks through the hotel's large windows for a snack. Every guest room is equipped with giraffe food, and hotel staff provide instruction on how to properly feed them. The resident giraffes visit every morning and evening, hoping for a treat before retiring to their forest sanctuary.

# Hotel Costa Verde, Costa Rica

Costa Rica, known for its abundant biodiversity, is a haven for nature lovers and ecotourism enthusiasts. Tucked away in this natural paradise is a hotel that offers a truly unique accommodation experience—a place where your desire for adventure meets your craving for something out of the ordinary.

While most of us may not own a fleet of airplanes like Sir Richard Branson, there's one hotel in Costa Rica where you can enjoy the novelty of having an entire airplane to yourself for as long as you wish. Hotel Costa Verde, nestled amidst rainforests between a national park and the stunning Pacific Ocean, boasts one of the world's most unusual hotel suites.

This suite is housed within a refurbished and upcycled Boeing 727 airframe, originally built in 1965 for Avianca Airlines of Colombia. Perched on 50-foot-tall supports, the suite offers breathtaking jungle and ocean views through its windows, providing guests with a sensation of flying. Additionally, Hotel Costa Verde surprises guests with El Avion, the hotel's restaurant and pub housed in a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane, adding to the property's unique charm. Staying at this completely unique getaway promises an unforgettable experience that will make you feel as though you're flying high!

# Book and Bed Tokyo, Japan

If you're a book lover who lives and breathes literature, Book and Bed Tokyo in Japan is tailor-made for you. More hostel than hotel, this establishment is a bibliophile's haven. Upon entering, you might mistake it for a bookstore, but it offers much more. Behind its bookshelves lies a cozy nook with a simple bed, reading light, and electrical outlet, inviting you to immerse yourself in your favorite stories.

With 30 stacked cubbies, each large enough for one person, and filled with 3,000 titles in Japanese and English, Book and Bed Tokyo offers a bare-bones yet charming accommodation option. Books even hang from the ceiling, and guests are welcome to read whatever they please, whenever they please. Outside the bookshelves, communal couches provide a space for reading and socializing. Book and Bed Tokyo is not just an accommodation but an 'accommodation bookshop,' essentially a library where guests can lose themselves in books until the words blur into dreams.

# Palacio de Sal, Bolivia

As children, many of us visited salt pans to learn about the source of salt in our food. But have you ever imagined staying in a house made entirely of salt? It might sound like something out of a fantasy novel, but it's a reality at Hotel Palacio de Sal in Bolivia. This 48,500-square-foot luxury hotel, located in the middle of the Bolivian desert, boasts walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and sculptures crafted entirely from salt sourced from the famous Salar de Uyuni—the world's largest salt flat.

Situated at an elevation of 12,000 feet, this sodium-themed property offers not only the novelty of a salt-based construction but also breathtaking views of the vast salt flat and star-filled skies at night. With its out-of-this-world concept and unique architecture, Hotel Palacio de Sal provides guests with an unforgettable blend of natural beauty and unconventional luxury. Rest assured, your stay here will be filled with truly 'sweet' dreams in a hotel made of 'salt'!

# Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland

Do you remember the fascination we felt during our school days when learning about Eskimos and their ice igloos in Geography class? The idea of crawling into houses made entirely of ice was endlessly intriguing, wasn't it? Fast forward to today, we live in an era where spending a night in a real-life igloo is not just a dream—it's a reality, even for those of us who aren't Eskimos!

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland, situated 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This renowned Arctic Resort is distinguished by its rows of glass-domed 'Igloos,' offering a perfect vantage point to marvel at the unobstructed beauty of the Northern Lights and the mesmerizing Lapland wilderness from your own private hideaway. For those seeking an authentic igloo experience, the resort also offers traditional snow igloos. Undoubtedly, one of the coolest hotels worldwide, both figuratively and literally!

# Ottoman Cave Suites, Turkey

We've all marveled at the iconic image associated with tourism in Turkey—the sky filled with hot air balloons against a backdrop of massive rocks with crater-like formations, reminiscent of lunar landscapes. This enchanting scene belongs to magical Cappadocia in Turkey, home to unique and extraordinary Cave Hotels.

Among the array of hotels carved into Cappadocia's ancient stone, Ottoman Cave Suites stands out prominently. Located in Goreme, this hotel is nothing short of dramatic. As the name suggests, the hotel's design draws inspiration from the ancient Ottoman Empire, featuring rooms adorned with velour furnishings and Turkish art. What sets it apart are the scalloped stone walls and ceilings crafted from cool, hollowed-out volcanic stone. If you've harbored a Flintstones fantasy since childhood, it's time to indulge in the temptation at one of the world's most distinct hotels—Ottoman Cave Suites in Turkey.

# Dog Bark Park Inn, Idaho

Are you a devoted dog enthusiast? Then, a stay at the Dog Bark Park Inn in Idaho, USA, is tailor-made for you to celebrate your love for our four-legged friends. This quirky two-bedroom bed and breakfast accommodation is shaped like a beagle, affectionately known as 'Sweet Willy' by locals. Everything inside this whimsical inn—from pillows to bedrest, books, cookies, and even the curtains—is dog-themed, adding to the delightful experience curated by the property's welcoming owners.

The Dog Bark Park Inn promises a fun and exciting stay, evoking the childlike wonder within each guest. Enter through the beagle's body onto a private second-story deck, where another level awaits in the head of the loft room, complete with additional sleeping space and a cozy alcove in the big beagle's muzzle. And the cherry on top? You can bring along your furry friend for a stay, ensuring a delightful surprise for your pooch!

# Santos Express, South Africa

Are you a train enthusiast, someone who's explored the country's rails with a deep love for locomotives and tracks? Then, the Santos Express in South Africa is a must-visit destination for you. This 1920s passenger train, permanently parked next to Santos Beach in Mossel Bay along the renowned Garden Route, offers an unparalleled accommodation experience onboard, complete with all comforts and amenities.

A beloved landmark since 1994, The Santos Express offers various accommodation options, boasting spectacular sea and mountain views. From passenger cars with double views to bunk beds for groups and budget travelers, there's something for everyone. Honeymooners can opt for the special Honeymoon Caboose, featuring a private porch facing the ocean, while families and couples seeking privacy can choose the Royal Suite cars, perfect for an unforgettable stay.

# Sun Cruise Resort, South Korea

While cruises typically sail on seas and oceans, have you ever imagined a cruise ship perched on land—let alone on a cliff? Sun Cruise Resort, located on a coastal cliff in Jeongdongjin, South Korea, turns this quirky fantasy into a reality. Renowned for offering the best sunrise views in the country, this resort is one of South Korea's major tourist attractions.

Perched high on the edge of a mountain, Sun Cruise Resort allows guests to experience the sensation of being at sea without the discomfort of motion sickness. Featuring 211 rooms, including condominium and hotel-style accommodations, along with restaurants, a revolving sky lounge, nightclub, karaoke, and seawater pool, this resort is the perfect setting for your unusual and whimsical hotel dreams to set sail!