The Travel: Top 10 Strangest Hotels In The World

Travelers welcome the extraordinary world of unique hotels where imagination knows no bounds. As they traverse the globe in search of the best hotels in the world, they discover a realm of accommodations that redefine the very essence of hospitality. These are not ordinary stays; they are portals to a realm where creativity, design, and innovation converge to craft unforgettable experiences.

People picture sleeping in a room made entirely of ice, dining within a converted airplane suspended in the jungle canopy, or bedding down in a centuries-old wooden ryokan that whispers tales of bygone eras, according to The Travel.

Book and Bed Tokyo, Japan

Book and Bed Tokyo is an unusual hotel in Japan. Photo: Booking.com

Book and Bed Tokyo is an unusual hotel in Japan, a book lover's paradise, resembling a used bookstore until visitors slide open a bookshelf to find a cozy nook with a bed, reading light, and electrical outlet.

With 3,000 titles in Japanese and English, the 30 stacked cubbies are perfect for solo travelers, providing a communal reading and gathering area in the shared bathroom and couch-equipped space. It's more of a hostel than a traditional hotel, budget-friendly at 3,500 yen (U.S. $35), leaving guests with extra cash for book shopping and exploring Tokyo.

La Balade des Gnomes, Durbuy, Belgium

La Balade des Gnomes in Durbuy, Belgium, is an architecturally intriguing hotel featuring 10 themed rooms inspired by traditional fairy tales. Photo: Uniq Hotel

La Balade des Gnomes in Durbuy, Belgium, is an architecturally intriguing hotel featuring 10 themed rooms inspired by traditional fairy tales. The hotel's motto, "All that you can imagine is real," sets the tone for a whimsical experience. Each room, from a Trojan horse to a Macquarie Island room, transports guests to a fantastical realm akin to a Tim Burton movie. Wooden toadstools, starry skies, and crooked windows add to the enchantment, offering a unique stay deeply rooted in the world of imagination.

The Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

The ICEHotel in Swedish Lapland is one of the world's most famous ice hotels. Photo: icehotel

The ICE Hotel in Swedish Lapland is one of the world's most famous ice hotels. It is a marvel that comes to life every winter and gracefully melts away each summer, only to rise again the following year. They invite artists, architects, and designers to let their creativity run wild, resulting in jaw-dropping 'art suites.' From Tron-inspired futuristic ice rooms to beds seemingly floating above an ethereal icy floor, the ICEHotel offers a unique experience.

Plus, it's one of the prime spots to witness the Northern Lights, with special guided tours available. It's not just captivating; it's eco-friendly too. Constructed using ice harvested from a frozen river and powered by 100% renewable energy, this hotel truly cares for the environment and even sponsors wildlife conservation efforts through 'ICE Moose.'

The G Hotel, Galway, Ireland

People into luxury with a splash of quirkiness should head to The G Hotel in Galway. Photo: Booking.com

People into luxury with a splash of quirkiness should head to The G Hotel in Galway. They picture a charcoal-black reception area, vibrant pink carpets in the hallways, walls adorned in dark purple hues, and a black and white elevator.

The aesthetics are a fusion of futuristic and baroque styles, and it's no surprise considering the design genius behind it is the renowned hat designer Phillip Treacy. This five-star design hotel, proudly part of the Small Luxury Unique Hotels of the World, boasts 101 rooms and promises a luxurious stay with a playful twist.

The Beaumont Hotel, London

At the Beaumont Hotel in London, that dream of spending a night inside a sculpture becomes a reality. Photo: thebeaumont

At the Beaumont Hotel in London, that dream of spending a night inside a sculpture becomes a reality. People imagine immersing themselves in the enigmatic ROOM, an art concept, and a 5-star hotel suite by the artist Antony Gormley. Nestled in a quiet Mayfair square, this elegant and unique hotel offers a tranquil retreat in the heart of London. It's a journey back in time to experience old-world luxury wrapped in an artistic embrace.

The Beaumont embodies the spirit of the grand hotels of 1920s London and New York – yet on an intimate scale, with just 50 rooms and 22 suites, including Sir Antony Gormley’s ROOM, an inhabitable work of public art and The Roosevelt Suite – a presidential suite of up to five bedrooms with a private terrace.

Santos Express, Mossel Bay, South Africa

Travelers step back in time and savor the nostalgia of a 1920s passenger train at the Santos Express in Mossel Bay, South Africa. Photo: santosexpress

Travelers step back in time and savor the nostalgia of a 1920s passenger train at the Santos Express in Mossel Bay, South Africa. This stationary train, parked just a stone's throw from Santos Beach, presents a unique accommodation option in South Africa.

With berths offering ocean views, shared baths, and even a Honeymoon Caboose with a private porch facing the ocean, it's a delightful choice. For those seeking a touch of grandeur, the Royal Suite cars with private baths await. Santos Beach, famed for its Blue Flag status, adds to the allure, offering a range of activities from swimming to whale-watching.

Hotel Costa Verde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, the Hotel Costa Verde offers a stay like no other in Costa Rica. Photo: Booking.com

In Costa Rica, the Hotel Costa Verde offers a stay like no other in Costa Rica. Nestled within a converted 1965 Boeing 727, this two-bedroom luxury guesthouse exudes a unique charm.

With the fuselage intact and a stunning interior paneled with local teak, it blends innovation and comfort. Perched on 50-foot-tall supports, the plane offers breathtaking jungle and ocean views. Dining options are abundant, from the kitchenette in the plane to El Avión, the hotel's restaurant housed in a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane with its historical significance.

Palacio de Sal, Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

In the heart of Bolivia, the Palacio de Sal stands as a marvel crafted almost entirely from salt. Photo: Booking.com

In the heart of Bolivia, the Palacio de Sal stands as a marvel crafted almost entirely from salt. It's more than just an architectural wonder; it's an experience of luxury amidst the vast Bolivian desert. With 30 elegantly simple rooms, wooden flooring, private tiled baths, and climate control, this hotel is unique in every aspect.

As guests dine on locally sourced llama and lamb in the dining room overlooking the salt flats, they are bound to be captivated by the ethereal beauty of this remote destination.

Houshi Onsen, Japan

For a taste of traditional Japan dating back to the 19th century, Houshi Onsen stands as a charming wooden ryokan (Japanese inn). Photo: Booking.com

For a taste of traditional Japan dating back to the 19th century, Houshi Onsen stands as a charming wooden ryokan (Japanese inn). Built in 1875 around a hot spring, this family-owned inn has preserved its heritage through seven generations. Stepping into the ryokan feels like a journey back in time, especially in the oldest rooms that have retained their original appearance. The Rokumeikan-style large wooden bath is a highlight, adding to the authentic Japanese experience.

Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam, Zaandam, Netherlands

The Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam stands tall, twelve stories high, captivating their imagination. Photo: Booking.com

Guests imagine a hotel that looks like a whimsical creation as if a giant playfully combined several green-painted cottages typical of the Zaan region. The Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam stands tall, twelve stories high, captivating their imagination.

Amongst the blend of green cottages, one blue house stands out, paying homage to Monet's painting "The Blue House," completed in Zaandam in 1871. Situated in the newly revamped Zaandam district, it offers a short train ride to Amsterdam's bustling city center, providing a perfect blend of comfort and convenience.

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