Saturday, May 30, 2015
For holidaymakers, choosing accommodations is probably not as important as choosing a destination.
But those curious about staying in a hotel constructed of salt, a tree house in the Amazon rain forest or a historic cave dwelling in Turkey,
1. Cappadocia Cave Suites, Goreme, Turkey
This property enables guests to stay in original cave dwellings from the Hittite, Roman and Byzantine periods which have been cleverly converted into individually decorated hotel rooms using local hand-carved stone.
While there, you can still enjoy all the luxuries of the 21st century in one of the 36 rooms and suites, all equipped with free Wi-Fi and a mini fridge.
2. Martin’s Patershof, Mechelen, Belgium
If spending the night in a beautiful traditional church dating back to the late 19th century, featuring high ceilings, archways and ornate embellishments sounds good to you, look no further. Many of the church’s features, such as the mosaics and stained glass windows added after World War II, are still intact.
Despite being packed with years of history, the four-star hotel has been modernized with bedrooms equipped with free Wi-Fi.
3. Igloo Village Kakslauttanen, Lapland, Finland
While escaping to Lapland and marveling at the northern lights, guests can choose between staying in one of the hotel's individual log cabins, traditional snow igloos or futuristic glass igloos.
The snow igloos offer guests the novelty of spending a night sleeping on ice, while the glass igloos allow an unobstructed view of the starry night sky. Its amenities include a snow chapel, ice bar, the world’s largest smoke sauna and a snow restaurant.
4. Jumbo Stay Hostel, Stockholm, Sweden
Enjoy all the comforts and luxuries of flying first class without even leaving the ground by staying at this property.
Its Boeing 747, previously in service for Pan Am and Singapore Airlines, is located on a disused runaway at Stockholm airport. It features room options for every budget, including quad dormitories and a luxury suite in the converted cockpit with a panoramic view of the airport. Available in each room are flat screen televisions and free Wi-Fi.
5. Malmaison Oxford, Oxford, UK
While it may not be many people’s dream to spend the night in a prison cell, this boutique hotel offers a luxurious stay in a converted Victorian prison.
The cells are now stylish hotel rooms, boasting comfortable beds, plasma televisions, power showers and complimentary toiletries.
6. Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station, Indianapolis, US
Located within Indianapolis’s still operating Union Station, this place allows guests to spend the night in one of America’s oldest railway stations. It is especially renowned for its authentic Pullman train car sleeper rooms, still resting on their original tracks.
Guests can also enjoy complimentary sleep amenities such as eye masks and lavender spray, valet service and an indoor swimming pool and hot tub.
7. Palacio de Sal, Uyuni, Bolivia
Constructed from salt, this unique hotel is nestled in the heart of the salt flats of Uyuni, Bolivia. Not only is the building made from salt blocks, but much of the interior, such as tables, chairs, beds and sculptures, are also crafted from salt.
Palacio de Sal boasts 16 rooms with all the modern amenities expected, such as private bathrooms, central heating and electricity.
8. Quinta Real, Zacatecas, Mexico
Built into the grandstand of the famous San Pedro bullfighting ring in Zacatecas, Mexico, in the 19th century, Quinta Real retains all the character of the original bullring while offering guests first-class service in an elegant setting.
The hotel boasts 49 spacious suites, decorated in the classic colonial style and featuring original artwork. All suites offer 24-hour room service, air conditioning and luxury amenities.
9. Ariau Amazon Towers, Manaus, Brazil
Set in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon rain forest, on the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Anavilhanas archipelago, this hotel allows guests to experience the natural wonders of the rain forest first-hand, with over 9 kilometers of canopy walkways and bedrooms situated up to 33 meters high in the tree tops.
Despite its unusual setting, the hotel offers modern conveniences, such as high-speed Internet, a fitness center, conference facilities and laundry service. A variety of rooms and suites are available, all featuring private balconies for views over the rain forest.
10. Queen Mary, California, US
Guests now have the opportunity to stay aboard the historical Queen Mary ship, which operated from 1937 to 1967 between Southampton and New York City.
The hotel offers a variety of comfortable staterooms and suites, complete with flat screen televisions, iPod docking stations and luxurious bath products. Many of the original features remain, such as rich wood paneling, art deco décor, original artwork and operating portholes.
But those curious about staying in a hotel constructed of salt, a tree house in the Amazon rain forest or a historic cave dwelling in Turkey,
1. Cappadocia Cave Suites, Goreme, Turkey
This property enables guests to stay in original cave dwellings from the Hittite, Roman and Byzantine periods which have been cleverly converted into individually decorated hotel rooms using local hand-carved stone.
While there, you can still enjoy all the luxuries of the 21st century in one of the 36 rooms and suites, all equipped with free Wi-Fi and a mini fridge.
2. Martin’s Patershof, Mechelen, Belgium
If spending the night in a beautiful traditional church dating back to the late 19th century, featuring high ceilings, archways and ornate embellishments sounds good to you, look no further. Many of the church’s features, such as the mosaics and stained glass windows added after World War II, are still intact.
Despite being packed with years of history, the four-star hotel has been modernized with bedrooms equipped with free Wi-Fi.
3. Igloo Village Kakslauttanen, Lapland, Finland
While escaping to Lapland and marveling at the northern lights, guests can choose between staying in one of the hotel's individual log cabins, traditional snow igloos or futuristic glass igloos.
The snow igloos offer guests the novelty of spending a night sleeping on ice, while the glass igloos allow an unobstructed view of the starry night sky. Its amenities include a snow chapel, ice bar, the world’s largest smoke sauna and a snow restaurant.
4. Jumbo Stay Hostel, Stockholm, Sweden
Enjoy all the comforts and luxuries of flying first class without even leaving the ground by staying at this property.
Its Boeing 747, previously in service for Pan Am and Singapore Airlines, is located on a disused runaway at Stockholm airport. It features room options for every budget, including quad dormitories and a luxury suite in the converted cockpit with a panoramic view of the airport. Available in each room are flat screen televisions and free Wi-Fi.
5. Malmaison Oxford, Oxford, UK
While it may not be many people’s dream to spend the night in a prison cell, this boutique hotel offers a luxurious stay in a converted Victorian prison.
The cells are now stylish hotel rooms, boasting comfortable beds, plasma televisions, power showers and complimentary toiletries.
6. Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station, Indianapolis, US
Located within Indianapolis’s still operating Union Station, this place allows guests to spend the night in one of America’s oldest railway stations. It is especially renowned for its authentic Pullman train car sleeper rooms, still resting on their original tracks.
Guests can also enjoy complimentary sleep amenities such as eye masks and lavender spray, valet service and an indoor swimming pool and hot tub.
7. Palacio de Sal, Uyuni, Bolivia
Constructed from salt, this unique hotel is nestled in the heart of the salt flats of Uyuni, Bolivia. Not only is the building made from salt blocks, but much of the interior, such as tables, chairs, beds and sculptures, are also crafted from salt.
Palacio de Sal boasts 16 rooms with all the modern amenities expected, such as private bathrooms, central heating and electricity.
8. Quinta Real, Zacatecas, Mexico
Built into the grandstand of the famous San Pedro bullfighting ring in Zacatecas, Mexico, in the 19th century, Quinta Real retains all the character of the original bullring while offering guests first-class service in an elegant setting.
The hotel boasts 49 spacious suites, decorated in the classic colonial style and featuring original artwork. All suites offer 24-hour room service, air conditioning and luxury amenities.
9. Ariau Amazon Towers, Manaus, Brazil
Set in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon rain forest, on the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Anavilhanas archipelago, this hotel allows guests to experience the natural wonders of the rain forest first-hand, with over 9 kilometers of canopy walkways and bedrooms situated up to 33 meters high in the tree tops.
Despite its unusual setting, the hotel offers modern conveniences, such as high-speed Internet, a fitness center, conference facilities and laundry service. A variety of rooms and suites are available, all featuring private balconies for views over the rain forest.
10. Queen Mary, California, US
Guests now have the opportunity to stay aboard the historical Queen Mary ship, which operated from 1937 to 1967 between Southampton and New York City.
The hotel offers a variety of comfortable staterooms and suites, complete with flat screen televisions, iPod docking stations and luxurious bath products. Many of the original features remain, such as rich wood paneling, art deco décor, original artwork and operating portholes.