Sleep on the wild side of the world with these quirky and incredibly cool hotels!
Bored of staying in the same old hotels every time you travel? Want to spice up your vacation with some adventure and whimsy? Well, there are some unique hotels around the world that offer just as much as any tourist attraction, with everything from cleverly decorated rooms to stunning natural landscapes. Some are temporary art exhibitions or seasonal offerings, while others celebrate history and culture with their design and longevity.
To experience the quirky side of your destination, then start with these amazing hotels that are anything but ordinary. These hotels will make you feel like you’re in a different world, or maybe even a different dimension. Whether it’s snoozing in a giant wine barrel, doing time in a former jail, or living like a hobbit, these hotels will blow your mind.
So read on through our 2023 list of the 11 most unique and boutique hotels in the world that you need to see to believe:
Photographed by Ludmila Yilmaz. Image via Shutterstock.
Adrere Amellal, Egypt
A dreamy desert destination, Adrere Amellal is traditional luxury reimagined, incorporating comfort with the natural elements of the landscape. Everything is made from white limestone and earth, including the furniture. The warm interiors are home to the perfect escape from society – there’s no electricity or access to phones, and the food comes solely from a carefully cultivated organic garden. One of the most luxurious hotels in Egypt, Adrere Amellal offers a window to an ancient era that you can re-experience today.
Photographed by Haomin Li. Image via Shutterstock.
Fogo Island Inn, Canada
Stark, brutalist and irresistible. Fogo Island Inn off Newfoundland in Canada stands tall as one of the most unusual hotels in the world. Every one of the 29 unique guest rooms and suites has dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that open with views onto one of the wildest and most powerful oceans on the planet. And despite it breathtaking and harsh landscapes, the Inn itself is just as extraordinary thanks to is unusual design and heavy stilt supports. On top of that, inside guests will find an art gallery and cinema to keep them entertained. So book a night at Fogo Island Inn for an incredible experience with nature.
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Hang Nga Guesthouse, Vietnam
Nicknamed the ‘Crazy House’, it’s easy to see why Hang Nga Gusthouse in Vietnam gained this tile. The building’s twisting exterior was inspired in part by both nature and celebrated architect Anton Gaudi, resembling a beautifully warped tree more than it does a traditional hotel. The rooms contain handcrafted furniture, while the stairways and hallways of the building are designed to look like tunnels or caves. So if you’re after a little Disneyland on your stay in Vietnam, spend a night or two at Hang Nga Guesthouse.
Photographed by David Herraez Calzada. Image via Shutterstock.
Hotel Marques De Riscal, Spain
When trying to describe Hotel Marques De Riscal’s stunning façade, the only thing that came to mind was the flower-like ribbon bow that people commonly use when they’re wrapping presents. Overlooking luscious vineyards, the visionary architect Frank Gehry designed this beautiful hotel building, and it also has a spa with grape-based treatments making it an absolute treat for any wine loving enthusiasts. A stunning and unique shape, make your trip to Spain stand out with a stay at Hotel Marques De Riscal.
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Hurawalhi Resort, Maldives
If you want your water-based hotel experience to be more hands-on than sailing around on a boat, head to the Maldives and immerse yourself in an underwater experience. This brilliant resort has an underwater restaurant for patrons to dine in the company of all sorts of sea animals, while some of the deluxe villas have infinity rooms and/or stairs into the sea. For a boutique, unique, luxury hotel, stay under the sea with Hurawalhi Resort!
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Icehotel, Sweden
If you’re just looking for a place to chill on holiday, Sweden’s got the answer. This freezing cold hotel is rebuilt out of ice every year and was the original establishment that started off a worldwide trend of ice hotels and ice bars wherever wintry weather is found. The interior looks as if it was handcrafted by Mr Freeze himself, with stunning ornate ice-sculptures and crystalline interior decor that’ll leave you in awe. One of the first and most famous ice hotels in the world, Icehotel in Sweden is a bucket list staple for every Arctic adventure!
Photographed by fokke baarssen. Image via Shutterstock.
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam, Netherlands
More iconic than the antique windmills that dot the Dutch countryside, Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam is truly one of the most unique hotels in the world. Amsterdam’s Inntel design makes it look like several houses have been stuck on top of each other, turning it into something straight out of a children’s storybook. The inside of the hotel is equally as fascinating – rooms are painted in a variety of colours, with leather armchairs and coffeemakers, with a select few containing rainfall showers. If you’re after a quirky side to Amsterdam, then check out Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam!
Photographed by Flystock. Image via Shutterstock.
Kakslauttanen Hotel, Finland
Have you always wanted to stay in an igloo? Now is your chance to with Kakslauttanen Hotel in Finland. A favourite of anyone travelling to Scandinavia, the rooms of this Finnish hotel are modelled after a snowy igloo, though now made entirely out of glass. What makes this so special is the perfect view to see the Northern Lights in Finland. Just simply gaze up and be awed at Kakslauttanen Hotel.
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Mirrorcube by Treehotel, Sweden
At first glance, this looks more like an art instalment than a hotel, but it manages to be both with great success. Minimal in layout but stunning nevertheless, the Mirrorcube is part of a collection of unique hotel rooms housed in trees which include the Bird’s Nest, the UFO and the Blue Cone. For a unique lens on nature check out Mirrorcube in Sweden, one of the most unusual hotels in the world.
Photographed by Dons ESL Adventure. Image via Shutterstock.
Tianzi Hotel, China
If you like your hotels to have a bit of personality, China’s Langfang-located Tianzi Hotel has three of them to spare. The image the hotel was built to resemble are Chinese deities, with the blue-dressed Shou associated with longevity, the red-dressed Fu associated with fortune, and the green-dressed Lu associated with prosperity – meaning your stay there will be the luckiest trip you’ll ever take. One of the most unusual hotels in the world, Tianzi Hotel in China has three times the charm.
Photographed by cad_wizard. Image via Shutterstock.
98 Acres Resort, Sri Lanka
Nestled in the lush greenery of Sri Lanka, the enormous thatched-roof buildings of the 98 Acres Resort are the perfect resting place for anyone wanting an island adventure. It’s a few kilometres away from Ravana Falls, the local waterfall, and even closer to the train station. But for anyone who doesn’t want to leave the hotel, there’s plenty for you to enjoy with mountain views, a spa, and yoga classes. One of the most unique hotels in the world, there are 98 reasons to stay at 98 Acres Resort in Sri Lanka.
Looking for more unique experiences around the world? Then check out the The 9 Most Unique Quirky Towns around the World. Or, tempt your travel curiosities with our list of the Most Illegal and Forbidden Places to Visit in the World.
