Unique Accommodation Experiences: Stay Somewhere Extraordinary
Travelling is no longer just about the destination - it’s also about where you stay. As travellers seek more immersive and memorable experiences, traditional hotels and resorts are being replaced with unique and unconventional accommodations. From sleeping in historic castles to staying in treehouses and underwater hotels, these distinctive lodgings offer something truly special.
1. Sleeping in a Castle
For those who have ever dreamed of living like royalty, a castle stay offers the perfect opportunity. Across Europe, centuries-old castles have been transformed into luxurious hotels, blending historic charm with modern comforts. In Scotland, for example, you can stay in Inverlochy Castle, a grand estate surrounded by stunning Highland scenery. Meanwhile, in France, the Château de Bagnols offers an enchanting medieval experience with beautifully restored interiors and exquisite gardens.
Staying in a castle is not just about the grandeur - it’s also about the stories embedded in the walls. Many castle hotels offer guided tours, wine tastings, and traditional feasts, allowing guests to step back in time while enjoying five-star hospitality.
2. Cave Hotels: A Stay Beneath the Earth
Cave hotels provide an otherworldly experience, offering cosy yet dramatic settings carved into natural rock formations. One of the most famous locations for cave accommodations is Cappadocia, Turkey, where hotels like Argos in Cappadocia offer stunning underground suites with warm lighting, stone-carved bathtubs, and breathtaking views of hot air balloons floating over the valleys.
Italy’s Matera also boasts incredible cave hotels, such as Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita, where ancient cave dwellings have been transformed into stylish, rustic lodgings. The thick stone walls create a tranquil and naturally climate-controlled environment, ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep.
3. Treehouse Retreats: Sleeping Among the Treetops
Treehouse accommodations offer the perfect blend of adventure and serenity. Nestled in dense forests or tropical jungles, these elevated retreats provide stunning views and a deep connection to nature.
In Sweden, the Treehotel features uniquely designed treetop cabins, including a mirrored cube that blends seamlessly with the forest surroundings. Over in Costa Rica, eco-lodges like Finca Bellavista allow guests to stay in hand-built treehouses connected by hanging bridges, providing an immersive jungle experience.
Perfect for both families and couples, treehouse stays offer a magical escape from the ordinary.
4. Underwater Hotels: Sleeping Below the Surface
For those who love marine life, an underwater hotel stay is an unforgettable experience. At The Manta Resort in Zanzibar, guests can sleep in a floating suite with a submerged bedroom, offering panoramic views of colourful fish and coral reefs.
Meanwhile, Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm features extravagant underwater suites where guests can watch sharks and rays glide past their floor-to-ceiling windows. The sense of serenity and wonder that comes with sleeping beneath the sea is unlike anything else.
5. Ice Hotels: A Frozen Wonderland
For an experience straight out of a fairy tale, ice hotels offer an ephemeral yet enchanting stay. The ICEHOTEL in Sweden is rebuilt every winter, featuring artistically sculpted ice rooms, ice bars, and even ice chapels for weddings. Guests sleep on beds carved from ice, covered with reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags to stay warm.
Despite the sub-zero temperatures, these icy retreats provide a surprisingly cosy and magical experience.
Gone are the days when a hotel was just a place to sleep. Unique accommodation experiences allow travellers to transform their trips into something truly extraordinary. Whether it’s a night in a castle, a treetop escape, or a stay beneath the sea, these unconventional lodgings promise unforgettable memories and stories to share.
Features
