From treehouses to underwater rooms: Unusual hotels worth visiting
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort (photo: anantara.com)
RBC-Ukraine has rounded up several unusual hotels around the world that are genuinely worth planning your next trip around.
Treehotel
In Swedish Lapland, one of the world’s best-known treehouse hotels is set among a tall pine forest. Its rooms look more like works of art: there is a mirrored cube, a giant bird’s nest, a UFO and modern cabins suspended among the trees.
The hotel combines modern comfort with an immersive experience in nature. Its individually designed tree rooms offer guests a chance to stay among the forest while enjoying spectacular views and a distinctly unusual setting.
Treehotel (photo: treehotel.se)
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
One of the Maldives’ best-known resorts for travelers dreaming of an experience beneath the water. Its standout accommodation, The Muraka, is a two-level residence with an underwater master bedroom located more than 5 meters below sea level and enclosed by a 180-degree acrylic dome. Through it, guests can watch marine life moving around the residence.
Unlike many Maldivian resorts, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is spread across two naturally formed islands in the South Ari Atoll. This allows guests to enjoy both peaceful spaces and a wider range of activities and dining options.
The resort is also home to Ithaa, an underwater restaurant where guests can dine surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The surrounding waters are known for encounters with marine life, including manta rays and whale sharks.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (photo: conradmaldives.com)
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Glass igloos in the middle of Lapland have long been a symbol of winter travel. In winter, guests can admire the Northern Lights right from their beds, while during the day they can go dog sledding, learn about Sámi culture or head out for walks through snowy forests.
Guests can try:
- husky dog sledding safaris
- reindeer rides
- snowmobile rides
- skiing and snowshoeing
- meeting Santa Claus at his Lapland home
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort (photo: kakslauttanen.fi)
ICEHOTEL
In Sweden, this hotel is rebuilt from ice and snow every winter. Artists from different countries work on the rooms, so the interiors have a new look every season. Even the furniture, bar, and decorative elements are made of ice.
The hotel is built using ice harvested from the Torne River. In spring, the hotel gradually melts and returns to the river — this is part of its concept.
Its features include:
- temperatures of around -5°C are maintained even in summer
- cooling is partly powered by solar panels
- an exhibition and Icebar open year-round
ICEHOTEL (photo: icehotel.com)
Hotel de Glace
Canada is home to another famous ice hotel that opens only in winter. Here, you can spend the night in a room with snow walls, visit an ice bar or even get married in an ice chapel.
Hôtel de Glace (photo: valcartier.com)
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
The hotel is located in Thailand. Guests at this resort can spend the night in transparent "bubbles" surrounded by nature and watch elephants roaming freely nearby. This type of getaway combines comfort, an unusual experience, and an opportunity to get close to wildlife.
The resort offers panoramic views of the point where three countries meet: Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Its secluded location amid tropical jungle creates an atmosphere of complete immersion in nature.
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort (photo: booking.com)
Hotel Marques de Riscal
This hotel in Spain was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry and is instantly recognizable for its wavy roof made of metal ribbons in pink, gold and silver. Located in the Rioja wine region, it has become a true architectural landmark.
Hotel Marques de Riscal (photo: boutiquehotel.me)
