Thursday, May 5, 2011
Yes, we do travel mostly to see the cultural, historical and natural wonders of the world and most of us, especially when travelling on a budget, do not really care about hotel rooms we stay in, as long as they are comfortable enough to guarantee a good night's sleep. At the end of the day, when we travel, we are mostly out and about and only spend a few hours per night at a hotel.
However, we found a few hotels around the world which might change this mindset. Staying at these unusual, weird and wonderful hotels could turn into the best experience of your holiday. And no, we are not talking about the usual 5-star luxury, standardized all over the world. We are talking about hotels with a twist to remember.
1. Hostel Celica *, Ljubljana, Slovenia
The
Celica is top of the Lonely Planet list as the Hippest Hostel and named
One of the 25 Ultimate Places to Stay by Rough Guides.
Sleep in a former cell with bars on the door and on the window! Hostel Celica on Metelkova Street in the centre of Ljubljana provides this unique experience.
Located in the immediate vicinity of the Main Bus and Railway Station and 700 metres from the city centre, the old military barracks of Austro-Hungary stand to this day.
The former prison has been demilitarised only after Slovenia's independence and the departure of the Federal Yugoslav Army. It was renovated and transformed into an outstanding youth hostel in 2003. Book Hostel Celica >>
2. STF Jumbo Stay Stockholm **, Sweden
Book STF Jumbo Stay Stockholm >>
Who
says that Emirates A380 is the only aircraft with showers onboard?
STF Jumbo Stay Stockholm is housed in a former Boeing 747 jumbo jet, right next to Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport. It offers free airport bus transfer, free Wi-Fi and breakfast from 04:00.
Guest rooms at Jumbo Stay have a flat-screen TV and either private or shared bathrooms. Some rooms have access to an observation deck on the left wing. Towels, bed linen and cleaning are included in all room rates.
A free shuttle bus (no. 14) operates between STF Jumbo Stay Stockholm and Arlanda's terminals.
Coffee, cookies and ready-made meals can be purchased on board. A microwave is also available for guests’ use. Book STF Jumbo Stay Stockholm >>
3. Igloo Village Kakslauttanen ****, Saariselka, Finland
Book Igloo Village Kakslauttanen >>
Igloo
Village Kakslauttanen provides a unique experience in the Saariselkä Fell
area of Finnish Lapland. It offers accommodation in glass igloos and has
the world’s largest smoke sauna.
The igloos are made from thermal glass, keeping guests warm in Arctic conditions. All have luxury beds and a private toilet, while shower facilities are shared.
Igloo Village Kakslauttanen has 4 restaurants, including 2 in a traditional Laplander hut. Each restaurant serves Laplandic specialities such as reindeer and char-grilled salmon. The hotel’s smoke sauna even has its own restaurant, Savusauna.
Two other saunas are located in adjacent log cabins, which share a terrace. Each sauna has a relaxation room with an open fireplace. The nearby ice hole is the perfect place to cool off. Book Igloo Village Kakslauttanen >>
4. Arte Luise Kunsthotel ***, Berlin, Germany
The
Arte Luise Kunsthotel promises an extraordinary experience, from the sculptures
which greet you in the lobby to your imaginatively designed bedroom.
Offering individual rooms designed by renowned artists, this unique hotel is a short walk from the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, and within easy reach of the main railway station and Friedrichstraße.
German-Mediterranean cuisine awaits you in the hotel restaurant, and during the summer you are free to relax on the spacious courtyard terrace.
The River Spree and the famous Unter den Linden boulevard are within walking distance, while nearby S-Bahn (city rail) and underground services allow you to explore the whole capital with ease. Book Arte Luise Kunsthotel >>
5. The Five Hotel ***, Paris, France
The
Five Hotel is a unique and sophisticated hotel with an original art theme.
There is an art gallery at reception, short film in the elevator and Chinese
lacquering which creates an atmosphere of serenity and relaxation.
Rooms are modern and designed with optical fibres which can be seen in the glass table, room sculpture and bathroom. They are equipped with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi internet access and double-glazing.
Staff at the Five Hotel will make your stay as pleasant as possible and provide advice on the surrounding area.
The nearby metro will transport you easily to many attractions across Paris. Book The Five Hotel >>
6. Malmaison Oxford ****, United Kingdom
This
transformed former Victorian prison is now a stunning boutique hotel offering
unique luxury accommodation in historic Oxford.
Stylish rooms, fabulous original architecture, a divine brasserie and 2 bars come together at Malmaison Oxford.
Spend a night in a converted cell complete with luxurious additions including a power shower, mood lighting, CD and DVD players, and satellite TV.
Guests can enjoy a full cooked or continental breakfast in the morning, and make use of wired internet in their hotel rooms. Book Malmaison Oxford >>
7. Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia ****, Ürgüp, Turkey
Book Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia >>
This
luxurious cave hotel in Ayvali offers rooms built into volcanic rock with
vaulted ceilings and decorated in traditional Turkish style. It features
free Wi-Fi, a jacuzzi and massage treatments.
All of the elegant rooms at Gamirasu Hotel include private bathrooms, while some include LCD TVs and jacuzzis. Many have balconies overlooking the rose garden.
In Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia’s restaurant, traditional Cappadocian meals are prepared using organic products. Breakfast is served in an open buffet with homemade jams, locally dried apricots, local honey, and fresh cream. Book Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia >>
8. Fantasyland Hotel ****, Edmonton, Canada
This
hotel is connected to the West Edmonton Mall, which offers over 800 stores,
Galaxyland Amusement Park and a mini golf course. It offers 2 full-service
restaurants and free parking.
Every room at Fantasyland Hotel features a 42-inch flat-screen TV and small refrigerator. A coffee maker and safety deposit box are also included.
L2 Grill serves unique soup, salad, meat and seafood meals in warm, cozy atmosphere. Café Europa offers the charming atmosphere of a European cafe with an international menu. Guests can enjoy a drink in the L1 Lounge.
Edmonton Event Centre is within one kilometer of the Fantasyland. Fort Edmonton Park is 2.5 km away. Book Fantasyland Hotel >>
9. Tokyo Kiba Hotel *, Japan
Featuring
a daily continental breakfast and 24-hour sauna, Tokyo Kiba Hotel is just
a 3-minute walk from Kiba Subway Station. It offers unique capsule accommodation
and rooms with free internet.
Each capsule unit is air-conditioned and equipped with a TV, radio/alarm and broadband internet access; toilets and showers are shared. Guests can also choose a normal room with a private shower and toilet.
Nearby Kiba Station offers direct access to the Nihonbashi and Otemachi areas. Tokyo Disney Resort and the Odaiba area are a 20-minute taxi ride away.
Tokyo Kiba Hotel provides round-the-clock public baths and a lounge, or guests can relax with a massage. Book Tokyo Kiba Hotel >>
10. Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa *****, Noonu, Maldives
Book Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa >>
A
52-acre property on the Noonu Atoll, Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort
& Spa offers overwater villas and villas with private pools. Its main
infinity pool overlooks the Indian Ocean.
Guests can have a relaxing massage in one of the spa pavilions, or enjoy garden views while exercising at the fitness centre. Hilton Maldives offers a variety of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving.
The villas at Hilton Iru Fushi Maldives come with a day bed and a sitting area. Some rooms have glass floor panels, offering underwater views of marine life. Spacious luxury bathrooms include a bathtub with water jets and iPod dock.
Hilton’s 8 food and beverage outlets offer a wide range of drinks and international dishes, including buffet options with live cooking stations. Guests can also have private meals on the beach.
Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa is a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male International Airport. It is 8 km from Minaavaru Dive Site and 10 km from Iguraidhoo Dive Site. Book Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa >>