Top 6 of the world's most unusual hotels
Short of ideas for shaping your hotel's identity? Want to attract more tourists? Here's some inspiration.
Why settle for the ordinary when you can play the unusual card? Above all, guests are looking for unique, one-of-a-kind experiences that give meaning to their journey. For them, a hotel is no longer simply somewhere to spend the night: they want to travel differently. Demanding as they are, they seek out more exclusive ways of discovering the world. And the hotels you are about to discover have understood this perfectly, since each one is utterly different. Take inspiration from our selection.1. Ice hotel, Sweden
Set in Jukkasjärvi on the banks of the Torne (the border river separating Sweden from Finland), this was the first ice hotel ever built, with rooms hovering around -5°C and striking ice sculptures that are created afresh every year.
2. The Dog Bark Park Inn, Cottonwood, United States
Dreamt up and built by two sculptors, the Dog Bark Park Inn is a dog-shaped hotel in Cottonwood, Idaho, in the United States. It has only two large rooms, and they come at quite a price.
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3. No Man's Fort, England
An English fort dating from the Victorian era was renovated and turned into a 5-star venue complete with a spa, a helipad and even a cabaret. A place perfectly suited to events such as weddings or conferences.
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4. Giraffe Manor, Kenya
This is an African manor house with European architecture, where guests are kept company throughout their stay by beautiful, inquisitive giraffes. Every year it welcomes visitors from all over the world in search of a magical experience that delights young and old alike.
5. Taj Lake Palace, India
A legendary hotel. A true jewel on the water, the Taj Lake Palace is a white marble palace that seems to float on the lake, a tribute to the maharanas of Udaipur. The hotel uses a boat to bring guests across from a jetty.
6. Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp, Morocco
To experience the magic of the desert and warm yourself in the hospitality of the Tuareg nomads in Morocco, there is only one address: the Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp. A few kilometres from M'hammid El Ghizlane, this high-end hotel is surrounded by sand dunes. It offers permanent tents deep in the desert, local cuisine and a range of activities to delight adventurers.
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As you will have noticed, drawing on a wide range of creative concepts is key to finding your own hotel identity.Now that you have found some inspiration, it's up to you to make your hotel shine!
Frequently asked questions
What is the world's first ice hotel? The Ice Hotel in Sweden, located in Jukkasjärvi on the banks of the Torne river, was the first ice hotel to be built. Its rooms reach temperatures around −5 °C and its ice sculptures are renewed every year.
How many rooms does the Dog Bark Park Inn have? The Dog Bark Park Inn has only two large rooms. Built by two sculptors and located in Cottonwood, Idaho, this hotel has an unusual design since the building is shaped like a dog.
Can you organize a wedding at No Man's Fort? Yes, No Man's Fort, a former Victorian-era English fort transformed into a 5-star establishment, is perfect for events such as weddings or seminars. The property features a spa, a helipad, and even a cabaret.
How do you get to Taj Lake Palace? Taj Lake Palace uses a boat to transport guests to the hotel from a jetty. This white marble palace built on the water pays homage to the maharajas of Udaipur and offers a unique experience to its visitors.
Where is the Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp located? The Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp is located a few kilometers from M'hammid El Ghizlane in Morocco. This upscale hotel is surrounded by sand dunes and offers fixed tents in the desert, local cuisine, and various activities for adventurers.
What makes Giraffe Manor unique? Giraffe Manor in Kenya is unique because travelers are accompanied by giraffes throughout their stay. This African manor with European architecture offers a magical experience that impresses both young and old, attracting visitors from around the world each year.
Each of these six properties leverages a distinct concept: extreme temperature, whimsical architecture, repurposed heritage, local wildlife, lakeside or desert setting.
| Property | Location | Main draw |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Hotel | Jukkasjärvi, Sweden | Rooms at −5 °C, sculptures renewed yearly |
| Dog Bark Park Inn | Cottonwood, Idaho, USA | Two large rooms, dog-shaped architecture |
| No Man's Fort | England | 5-star Victorian fort with spa, helipad, cabaret |
| Giraffe Manor | Kenya | Giraffes present throughout the stay |
| Taj Lake Palace | Udaipur, India | White marble palace on water, boat access |
| Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp | M'hammid El Ghizlane, Morocco | Fixed tents in the desert, local gastronomy, adventure activities |
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