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12 Bucket-List Accommodations You Won’t Believe Exist
Tired of boring old hotel rooms with plain walls, standard beds, and the same uninspired mini shampoo bottles? Yeah, us too. Thankfully, the world has stepped up its game, offering places to sleep that are anything but ordinary.
We’re talking about spots where your accommodations are just as memorable as the trip itself (or possibly more). From icy wonders to designs better suited for the pages of science fiction, these destinations redefine what it means to “check in.”
Who needs the mundane anyway, when you can wake up somewhere that feels straight out of a dream? Probably built by someone with way too much creativity and just the right budget. So get ready to rethink how and where you rest your head.
Giraffe Manor – Nairobi, Kenya
If you’ve always wanted to split breakfast with a giraffe, Giraffe Manor is here to fulfill your oddly specific dream. Located in Nairobi, this boutique hotel lets you share your toast (and possibly your soul) with these lanky locals.
The giraffes freely wander the grounds and might just poke their heads into the dining room looking for a snack. This is not a drill; these 16-foot-tall charmers will casually crash your meal, bringing a mix of awe and mild panic when you realize one is drooling inches from your omelette.
You’ll stay in elegant 1930s colonial-style accommodations that are to die for. But, if we’re being honest, the giraffes are the real stars of the show. Just remember, sharing is caring… especially when your co-diner can see over fences.
Japamala Resort – Tioman Island, Malaysia
Who would’ve guessed playing Tarzan in a rainforest could come with a comfy mattress and Wi-Fi? At Japamala Resort, your treehouse dreams are brought to life (minus the questionable rope-swinging skills, thankfully).
Located in the lush canopy of Tioman Island, this jungle retreat combines nature with luxury in a way that feels slightly unfair to the rest of the world. Rustic walkways and hanging decks guide you to your private hideaway, where you’ve got panoramic views and a front-row seat to the chatter of jungle residents who clearly forgot to keep it down.
And forget grueling hikes to hunt for your dinner. Gourmet meals, spa treatments, and even dipping pools are tucked right into the scenery. At the end of your stay, you’ll emerge feeling restored (and ready to brag about it).
TWA Hotel – New York, New York
Staying at the TWA Hotel at JFK is like stepping into a time machine that decided the 1960s were just too cool to leave behind. An airport hotel? I know, but this isn’t your average airport stay with questionable carpeting and vending machines that eat your money.
Instead, this is where glamour meets that undeniable “jet-age” aesthetic. Located in the stunningly futuristic TWA Flight Center (thanks to design legend Eero Saarinen), the hotel boasts 512 rooms where you can snooze while pretending you’re a Pan Am pilot plotting your next escape.
Add retro interiors, a rooftop pool overlooking the runway, and a cocktail lounge inside an actual vintage airplane, and you’ve hit peak cool. You don’t just stay here, you swagger in… and yes, that swagger is mandatory.
InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland – Shanghai, China
Why build a hotel on ordinary ground when you can carve it into a massive quarry and then throw in some underwater rooms for good measure? The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland takes the concept of “thinking outside the box” to a whole new level (like, 300 feet down).
This architectural marvel descends 18 stories into an abandoned pit, proving that one person’s hole in the ground is another person’s luxury getaway. And the underwater rooms face a giant aquarium, so your evening entertainment might involve soothing fish or a very grumpy eel eyeballing you through the glass.
The property also features waterfalls and futuristic designs because “subtle” was clearly left out of the blueprint. Staying here isn’t just a visit; it’s an immersive science-fiction experience that forgot to bring the space aliens.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – Alta and Finnmark, Norway
Glamping not cold enough for you? How about checking into a hotel made entirely of ice and snow? Up in northern Norway, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel redefines cozy with subzero designs that somehow feel inviting.
Every winter, the hotel is rebuilt with intricate ice carvings and rooms that double as giant freezers… fortunately, without the frozen leftovers. Guests sleep on reindeer hides atop beds of snow, and no, there’s no thermostat to crank up.
But fear not, the provided thermal sleeping bags will keep you toastier than you’d imagine. And if all else fails, the outdoor sauna has your back. Staying here may seem chilly at first, but think of it this way: you’ll never complain about your house being “too cold” again.
Cave Hotels – Cappadocia Region, Turkey
Welcome to Cappadocia, where towns like Goreme and Urgup have turned ancient caves into lodging that is as memorable as it is unique. Take Argos in Cappadocia, for example. It’s a place where you can enjoy beautifully restored cave rooms, cozy fireplaces, and wine cellars deeper than your love for carbs.
Every corner feels like history meets design school, with a touch of magic thrown in for good measure. And waking up here, surrounded by soft rock walls and otherworldly landscapes, might just make you forget that you’re 21st-century Earth-bound.
Plus, you’re likely to spot the colorful hot air balloons that pepper the sky each day; they’re practically a clause in Cappadocia’s guest list.
Atlantis, The Palm – Dubai, UAE
Sure, your hotel might have a view, but does it involve a living aquarium? At Atlantis, The Palm, their Poseidon and Neptune underwater suites take “room with a view” to a whole new level. Specifically, the under-the-sea kind.
Imagine brushing your teeth while a stingray glides past your bathroom window. Or lying in bed, considering what a hammerhead shark thinks about your choice of pajamas. The Ambassador Lagoon Aquarium doesn’t just surround you with marine life; it pretty much moves in with you.
It’s luxurious, it’s surreal, and it’s the perfect mix of relaxation and existential pondering about life beneath the waves. Just try to refrain from casually narrating your own ocean documentary like a budget David Attenborough.
The Icehotel – Jukkasjarvi, Sweden
Who doesn’t want to pretend they’re starring in their own personal Arctic adventure? At Lapland’s legendary Icehotel, winter isn’t just coming, it’s already moved in, redecorated, and made itself comfy.
Rebuilt every year, this frosty masterpiece features ice-carved suites designed by world-class artists who clearly weren’t concerned about central heating. Spoiler: the walls, beds, and even cups you drink from are made of ice. Apparently, nothing screams comfort like sleeping in a popsicle.
But don’t worry, they provide thermal sleeping bags and reindeer hides to keep you warmer than your frozen cocktail. If you’re brave enough to call a block of ice “home,” congratulations, you’ve unlocked a whole new level of cool. Literally.
OutPostX – Beryl, Utah
Tucked away in the desert like a secret rebel base, OutPostX is a sci-fi dream come true. You know, the kind where you’re swinging a lightsaber and rocking a cloak (no judgment). And this isn’t your grandma’s glamping spot… unless she’s into Star Wars-inspired design and Tatooine-like architecture.
From cozy Viking longhouses to futuristic domes, each stay feels like stepping into your own adventure. For thrill-seekers, sand cruisers offer joyrides across the lunar-like playa, complete with narration to fuel your quest.
Prefer relaxation? The X-Spa has a hot tub and sauna, perfect for unwinding after exploring. At night, stargaze from the deck and play the classic game of “UFO or airplane?” OutPostX blends fantasy, luxury, and the wild Utah desert to create something truly out of this world.
The Muraka – Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
Ever thought, “Hmm, my luxury villa feels a little too above water”? Good news! The Muraka, a two-story extravagance-of-a-suite, lets you snooze beneath the ocean’s surface in style.
The upper level has all your typical bells and whistles (sun decks, infinity pools, fancy everything), but the real show is downstairs, where the bedroom is literally submerged. You’ll drift off to sleep while manta rays play outside your window and clownfish roll their eyes at your snoring.
Dining options? Gourmet, of course, but the real feast is the panoramic view of marine life doing marine life things. It’s the perfect place for anyone who’s dreamed of becoming an underwater explorer (but doesn’t want to learn how to scuba dive).
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Saariselka, Finland
Tired of boring hotel rooms? Try falling asleep in a glass igloo under the Arctic night sky at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Somehow, Finland decided “snow globe” could double as “lodging option.”
These transparent bubbles aren’t just cozy; they’re your front-row seat to the northern lights, which are way more impressive than any streaming service. Not feeling the igloo vibe? Stay in one of their snowy cabins for a more rustic but equally whimsical experience.
Either way, you’re basically living inside a fairytale, complete with reindeer, husky safaris, and the mild but thrilling fear of frostbite. Just don’t forget to warm up before bed with a traditional Finnish sauna. It’s culturally authentic, and honestly, you’re going to need it.
Hotel de Glace – Quebec, Canada
Hotel de Glace is Quebec’s frozen crown jewel, though “hotel” might be generous. A walk-through art installation might be closer to the mark. The entire place is carved out of ice and snow every winter, reinventing itself each time. Regular renovations were too mainstream, I guess.
Every room is a glittering winter wonderland of themed sculptures, so you can pretend you’re sleeping in an upscale igloo designed by an overachieving architect with a snow fetish.
And don’t miss the ice bar, where your drink glasses are, you guessed it, also ice. Who knew self-chilling beverages were a thing? Just don’t drop your glass… cleanup on aisle frozen doesn’t sound like much fun.
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