Some Very Unique Hotels

There are many unique hotels worldwide that push the boundaries of traditional architectural styles.

Why settle for a routine hotel stay when you could, perhaps, spend the night in a giant hollowed-out potato? Or maybe you’d like to sleep in a former jail cell or even bundle up in a room made entirely out of ice? While keeping within their preferred guest program, most frequent travelers choose their hotels to maximize rest and relaxation after a day of business or sightseeing. But, sometimes the hotel itself can be the star of the show. From aircraft skeletons to converted double-decker buses, any number of these quirky hotels continue to draw the attention of curious travelers searching for a stay they won’t forget anytime soon.

727 Fuselage Suite in Costa Rica 

The 727 Fuselage Suite is said to be one of the most fantastic jungle experiences in Costa Rica.

Here’s one that’s right up my alley. In the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica lies a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airframe once flown by South African Airways and Avianca. It offers a unique guest experience sitting perched on a 50-foot pedestal above the rainforest canopy at the Hotel Costa Verde in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Instead of standard aviation seating, the cabin is lined with hand-carved, local teak wood. It retains its signature rounded walls, rows of airplane windows, and the original pilot and co-pilot seats are inside one of the bathrooms. The wings of the aircraft have been extended into polished teak balconies, providing panoramic views of both the Pacific Ocean as well as the jungle. Guests can observe native wildlife, like sloths, toucans, and monkeys, directly from these over-wing decks. The 727 Fuselage Suite features two air conditioned bedrooms, one with two queen-sized beds and the other with one queen-sized bed, along with a kitchenette, flat-screen TVs, and private entrances.

Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Reimagined and rebuilt each winter, the Icehotel is a breathtaking, hand carved architectural wonder.

Sweden’s Icehotel is an ever-changing institution. Every year, the establishment melts during the warmer months only to be rebuilt come wintertime. Originating in 1989 in the humble town of Jukkasjärvi, Icehotel has featured the work of some 546 artists since its inception. They've utilized the equivalent of 700 million snowballs in its annual construction. Because the temporary cold rooms and suites are painstakingly re-sculpted by international artists every winter, the design changes annually. The result is undeniably unique as the hotel features 300 individual beds (both warm and cold) plus an ice church, an ice bar, and a chandelier in the main hall which features 1,000 hand-cut ice crystals. Fear not if you plan to visit during the summer months, as the hotel recently unveiled Icehotel 365, which is a more permanent building that offers year-round lodging. In either case, bring a jacket because, despite the walls of snow providing insulation, temperatures still remain an average of 21 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel in Ontario, Canada

At the Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel one doesn't have to commit a crime to spend a night in "prison."

The Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel is a unique, budget-friendly accommodation built from century-old stone and iron. The hostel is mere steps away from Ottawa’s Parliament and Rideau Canal. It’s located in the historic Carleton County Gaol, which was used for over a century (from 1862 to 1972). Guests can choose to sleep in authentic 19th Century prison cells, complete with their original iron doors and stone walls. Co-ed dorms, female-only dorms, and private rooms are also available or guests can opt to sleep in a standard private room in the expanded "Mansion" wing. The entire structure has been updated to include heating and Wi-Fi, luxuries the prisoners certainly never had. A night’s stay also includes daily breakfast and self-serve laundry is available. Every guest gets a free historical tour of the building, during which they can explore the former Death Row and the original gallows located on the top floor. The building is widely known as one of Canada's most haunted locations. Both guests and staff frequently report paranormal experiences, most notably sightings of Patrick James Whelan, a man executed there in 1869.

The Muraka at the Conrad in the Maldives

Cocooned by living coral and the rhythm of marine life, The Muraka's a luxury underwater experience.

The Muraka at the Conrad Hotel on Rangali Island in the Maldives was the world’s first undersea residence. Costing $15 million to build, this ultra-luxury, two-level villa features an underwater master bedroom 16 feet below the Indian Ocean and sits at the pinnacle of exclusive island travel. A spacious, two-bedroom above-water structure features a private arrival jetty, expansive sun decks, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and ocean-facing bathrooms. The undersea level is accessed via spiral staircase or elevator. This submerged level houses a king-sized master bedroom, a relaxation area, and an en-suite bathroom. The bedroom itself is encased in a curved, 180-degree acrylic dome allowing guests to sleep surrounded by living coral and marine life. The 6,000-square-foot residence sleeps up to 10 guests across its multi-level layout. The stay includes a dedicated, on-call private butler, a private chef, security, and a personal fitness trainer. Guests enjoy private seaplane or speedboat transfers, complimentary jet skis, and tailored spa/excursion itineraries. Nightly rates for The Muraka range depending on the season, usually starting around $10,000 to $50,000 or more per night.

Bertram’s Hotel – Devon, England

Bertram's Hotel in the North Devon Coast area is a playful nod to a 1965 Agatha Christie mystery.

This highly unusual, 1950s glamping experience is housed inside a converted, bright red London double-decker bus! Located on a working two-acre farm within the grounds of the Fosfelle Country House in the Village of Hartland, it offers guests a quirky retreat blending coastal exploration with a very cozy Agatha Christie theme. Having once roamed the streets of London, the now stationary bus sleeps up to 5 guests. Downstairs features two twin single beds, a cozy day bed, and a quirky shower room with a cocktail bar. Upstairs boasts a retro kitchen, a vintage TV, a record player, and a comfortable double bed. Drawing its name from Agatha Christie’s classic Miss Marple mystery novel titled At Bertram's Hotel, the interior is filled with 1950s decor and several clever literary clues related to the novelist’s most thrilling mystery novels. Travelers may also choose to stay in a more modern converted bus/hotel known as the Joseph Multi-Colour Dream Coach. No matter which bus is chosen, guests may expect to be paid a visit by the free-roaming alpacas named Horizon, Indiana and Oklahoma or the miniature donkeys known as Costello and Flatley, as well as the pygmy goats, chicken and ducks, all of whom make their home at the farm. 

The Big Idaho Potato Hotel – Ada County, Idaho

This giant hollowed-out "potato" now provides a very unique hospitality experience for its guests.

This famous, six-ton, 28-foot-long former roadside attraction has been turned into a cozy, one-of-a-kind rental. Originally a promotional display for the Idaho Potato Commission, it was converted by tiny-home builder Kristie Wolfe into a highly rated and frequently booked retreat. It sits on 400 acres of open farmland in Ada County, roughly 30 minutes southeast of Boise. Built to mark the Idaho Potato Commission's 75th anniversary in 2012, the Big Idaho Potato Hotel is made of concrete, steel and plaster. The structure is insulated and features air conditioning, a queen-sized bed, quirky decor, and, of all things, a chandelier. Just a few steps away from the potato lies a converted grain silo, which has been transformed into an upscale, spa-like bathroom featuring a soaking tub, shower, and fireplace. Guests are frequently greeted on the property by "Dolly," a friendly, free-roaming Jersey cow. For seven years, this massive spud traveled the United States on the back of a semi-truck promoting Idaho's potato industry. After it was retired from touring in 2019 to make room for a newer fiberglass version, Kristie Wolfe, who'd previously worked on the Big Idaho Potato Tour, realized its potential and transformed the interior into the world's only potato hotel.

Every one of these unique hotels broke the mold of traditional accommodations by offering out of the ordinary and unusual, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Until next time…safe travels.