Why settle for another beige hotel room with mass-produced artwork and questionable carpet stains? The world is packed with accommodations so outlandish, so brilliantly bizarre, that checking in becomes an adventure in itself. From sleeping underwater with fish as roommates to bunking down in converted prison cells, these 81 unusual hotels prove that where you rest your head can be just as memorable as where you spend your days.
81. Hobbit House – Lord of the Rings Fantasy in Montana
If you're a fan of Tolkien, you'll be amazed by the level of detail that's present here, with references to the books on every corner.Carved into a hillside in Trout Creek, Montana, this adult-only retreat channels Middle-earth with meticulous attention to Tolkien's world.
The main 1,800-square-foot Hobbit House features three bedrooms and two bathrooms across 15 acres of pristine wilderness, with a smaller hobbit dwelling built directly into the hill below. Upon arrival, you'll receive an oversized "Trollhouse cookie" made with what they playfully call fairy dust. The property includes handcrafted hobbit doors, round windows, and interiors filled with references to the books at every turn.
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80. Bivacco Gervasutti – Cliff-Hanging Capsule in the Italian Alps
Suspended at 9,301 feet on the Frebouze Glacier in the Mont Blanc massif, this aluminum and wood capsule replaced a 1948 wooden shelter built to honor legendary climber Bivacco Gervasutti, known as "Il Fortissimo" (the toughest).
Helicopter transport was required to install the high-tech structure, which features solar panels providing internet access and heating. The challenging climb required to reach it includes technical rock and ice sections, making this accommodation truly earned rather than simply booked.
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79. Bambu Indah – Javanese Heritage Meets Balinese Sustainability
Eleven authentic wooden Javanese houses, some dating back centuries, were carefully dismantled, transported to Bali, and reconstructed among organic rice paddies. Each structure maintains its original architectural integrity with hand-carved details, antique furnishings, and locally crafted artwork.
Bambu Indah pioneered sustainable tourism in Indonesia by using exclusively natural building materials, serving organic vegetarian cuisine, and operating its own permaculture garden that supplies the kitchen.
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78. Frying Pan Tower – Offshore Lighthouse Turned Extreme Retreat
This 135-foot structure sits on concrete pilings 32 miles off Cape Fear, North Carolina, originally built in 1964 as a Coast Guard light station. The converted platform has survived numerous Category 4 hurricanes, including Hazel and Florence.
Current owner Richard Neal purchased the decommissioned lighthouse in 2010 and transformed it into what he calls "the world's most dangerous hotel." Guests must helicopter in (weather permitting) and share the waters with sand tiger sharks, which often circle the structure's legs.
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77. Inntel Zaandam – Amsterdam's Architectural Puzzle
This 160-room hotel facade consists of a precise 3D puzzle representing 70 traditional Zaanse houses stacked atop each other in four shades of green, with the top corner house painted blue as homage to Claude Monet's "La Maison Bleue." The building stands 11 stories tall and took four years to design, requiring special engineering to handle the visual weight of the stacked house illusion while meeting modern hotel standards.
Since Inntel Zaandam's opening in 2010, it has become the city's new major tourist attraction. The entire building is internationally renowned, and in 2016, CNN labeled the hotel as 'the most unusual hotel in the world' - so it's no wonder it's on our list. Inside, it's every bit as creative as it is outside, so you're in for many surprises.
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76. La Balade Des Gnomes – Fantasy Comes to Life in Belgium
Created by local craftsman Dominique Noel, each themed room required months of handwork to complete. The famous Trojan horse room features a two-story medieval interior accessed through the horse's belly, complete with authentic medieval furnishings and hidden passages. The Moon room simulates lunar gravity with specially designed furniture, while the Moroccan desert room includes imported sand and Berber textiles.
La Balade Des Gnomes' underground tunnels connect several fantasy areas, creating an immersive fairy-tale experience throughout the property.
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75. Nimb Hotel – Arabian Nights in Copenhagen
Built in 1909 as part of Tivoli Gardens' original architecture, this Moorish-style palace was converted into Denmark's first hotel within an active amusement park. The building's distinctive golden onion domes and intricate facade were restored using original 19th-century techniques.
As Denmark's only rooftop pool hotel, it offers views directly over Tivoli's vintage roller coaster and illuminated gardens. The property operates its own Michelin-starred restaurant and maintains operational connection to Tivoli's attractions.
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74. STF Kolarbyn – Sweden's Most Primitive Hotel
Known locally as "Sweden's most primitive hotel," these 12 forest huts were built using traditional Scandinavian techniques without electricity, running water, or modern amenities.
Each hut is heated solely by wood-burning stoves, with guests collecting their own firewood. The nearby floating sauna sits on a pristine lake where you can ice-swim even in winter. Wildlife encounters are common, with moose, deer, and beaver frequently spotted from the huts' small windows.
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73. 73. The Beaumont Hotel – Sleep Inside a Sculpture
Antony Gormley's "ROOM" sculpture-hotel suite took three years to design and construct, with the artist personally overseeing every detail of the dark, womb-like space.
The suite's interior walls curve inward, creating a cocoon effect that eliminates external noise and light when desired. Located on Brown Hart Gardens in Mayfair, the building itself is a 1926 Grade II listed structure originally built as an electrical substation. The sculpture serves as both accommodation and permanent art installation.
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72. Rotel – Your Hotel Follows You Everywhere
These rolling hotels began in 1945 when German engineer Hermann Rotel invented the concept of mobile accommodation. Each vehicle contains 20-26 individual sleeping cabins, a kitchen, dining area, and bathroom facilities. The lower deck houses luggage and supplies, while the upper deck contains the sleeping pods.
Tours can last up to eight weeks, covering multiple countries without requiring hotel bookings or luggage transfers.
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71. 727 Fuselage Home – Boeing Jungle Retreat in Costa Rica
This authentic 1965 Boeing 727-100 was rescued from San José airport before being transformed into luxury accommodation. The plane's original galley was converted into a kitchenette, while the passenger cabin became two bedrooms with handcrafted wooden interiors. - For more airplane hotels, click here.
Suspended 50 feet above ground on reinforced platforms, the aircraft overlooks both Pacific Ocean and Manuel Antonio National Park. The wings serve as observation decks where sloths, toucans, and monkeys are regularly spotted.
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70. Hotel Not Hotel – Hidden Rooms and Artistic Disguises
Amsterdam designer Klaas de Jong created this 13-room property where every accommodation is disguised as an art installation. The vintage tram room contains an actual 1960s Amsterdam tram car complete with original seating and route maps.
The secret bookcase room requires solving a puzzle to gain entry, while the wooden house room sits in the middle of the lobby like a miniature dwelling. No room numbers exist; guests must memorize their room's appearance and location.
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69. Queen Mary Hotel – Luxury Ocean Liner Turned Floating Hotel
This 1,019-foot luxury liner operated for 31 years and officially recorded 57 deaths during service, though ghost hunters claim 105 different spirits still inhabit the ship. During World War II, she served as a troop transport carrying over 750,000 military personnel.
The infamous stateroom B340 was closed to guests for decades due to intense paranormal activity including covers being pulled off sleeping guests, rattling clothes hangers, and mysterious voices around 3 AM. The engine room, 50 feet below water level, houses the notorious "Door 13" where at least two crew members were crushed to death at different times during the ship's operation.
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68. Karosta Prison – Authentic Soviet-Era Prison Experience
Built in 1906 under Czarist Russia, this military prison complex operated under Soviet rule until 1997. The facility housed disobedient soldiers, political prisoners, and captured enemies during both World Wars.
Today's "prisoner experience" includes being locked in authentic cells with only a thin mattress, tin cup, and bucket. Former guards and military personnel serve as "correctional officers," maintaining the intimidating atmosphere with authentic Soviet-era protocols and uniforms.
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67. Barin Ski Resort – Snow Mountain Architecture in Iran
RYRA Studio designed this 11-story resort to mimic the surrounding Alborz Mountains, with the exterior featuring white concrete panels that mirror snow-covered peaks. Located at 7,500 feet elevation in Shemshak, 40 miles from Tehran, the resort operates despite Iran's challenging international tourism environment.
The interior maze-like design intentionally disorients visitors, creating an "ice palace" effect with curved corridors and dome-shaped rooms that echo the mountain's natural caves.
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66. The New Monte Rosa Hut – Crystal-Shaped Sustainability in the Alps
This crystalline structure at 9,462 feet elevation demonstrates extreme sustainable building, producing 90% of its energy through solar panels despite harsh Alpine conditions. Built through collaboration between ETH Zurich and the Swiss Alpine Club, the hut required helicopter transport of all materials over 15 construction flights.
The interior stays warm through passive heat from occupants' body temperature and solar gain, eliminating need for fossil fuels even at temperatures reaching -30°C.
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65. White Cliffs Underground Motel – Escaping Australia's Brutal Heat
When surface temperatures reach 119°F (48.6°C), residents of this opal mining town carved homes directly into the hillsides using mining equipment. The underground motel maintains a constant 72°F year-round without air conditioning, carved from the same mineral-rich earth that produces precious opals.
Guests can participate in opal mining, with the property offering "noodling" experiences where you search through previously excavated tailings for overlooked gems.
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64. Levin Iglut – Glass Igloos for Aurora Viewing
These 20 thermally insulated glass igloos feature specially manufactured glass that prevents frost buildup even at -30°C, ensuring clear aurora viewing throughout the night. Located at 200 meters above sea level in Utsuvaara Fell, each igloo includes heated floors and luxury bathrooms despite the remote location.
The property operates its own reindeer farm with 200 animals, offering authentic Sami cultural experiences and the chance to meet Santa's actual reindeer breeds.
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63. The O Pod Hotel – Capsule Living by Tel Aviv's Beach
Each of the 100 pods measures just 6 feet by 4 feet but includes personal LED lighting, ventilation, power outlets, and reading lights. The pods close with privacy curtains and feature memory foam mattresses despite their compact size.
Located just three blocks from Tel Aviv's main beach promenade, the property attracts international backpackers and offers rooftop views of the Mediterranean Sea.
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62. Nakagin Capsule Tower – Tokyo's Iconic Micro-Living
Architect Kisho Kurokawa designed this 1972 Metabolist building with 140 prefabricated capsules, each measuring just 8 by 12 feet. Originally intended as pied-à-terre apartments for Tokyo businessmen, each capsule was factory-built and crane-lifted into place.
The building was demolished in 2022 after 50 years of operation, though several capsules were preserved for museum exhibition. Each unit contained a built-in bed, desk, bathroom, and circular window offering views of Tokyo's skyline.
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61. The Shell House – Giant Seaside Sculpture in Mexico
Architect Octavio Ocampo designed this shell-shaped vacation home using over 2 million natural seashells collected from Isla Mujeres beaches. The interior walls curve following the shell's natural spiral, creating rooms without conventional corners.
Located just 20 minutes from Cancún, the house sits on a private stretch of Caribbean beach where more shells wash ashore daily, continuously adding to the structure's natural decoration.
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60. The Manta Resort – Underwater Bedroom with Swimming Neighbors
This floating structure anchors in a private lagoon off Pemba Island using specialized marine engineering that allows gentle movement with ocean currents. The underwater bedroom, submerged 13 feet below surface, features 360-degree windows offering views of angelfish, parrotfish, and occasionally passing dolphins.
The structure includes solar panels for lighting and a satellite communication system, making it completely self-sufficient in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
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59. Sun Cruise Resort – Landlocked Cruise Ship in South Korea
This 165-room resort built into a coastal cliff required moving 300,000 tons of earth and rock to create the foundation. The "ship" measures 541 feet long and 148 feet high, making it larger than many actual cruise vessels.
Opened in 2002, it features authentic cruise ship amenities including a bridge with navigation equipment, smokestacks, and deck railings. The infinity pool overlooks the East Sea from a height of 540 feet above sea level.
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58. Rogner Bad Blumau – Hundertwasser's Colorful Wellness Vision
Friedensreich Hundertwasser spent his final years designing this spa complex, which opened just months before his death in 2000. The building contains no straight lines, following Hundertwasser's philosophy that "straight lines are godless."
Natural thermal springs feeding the complex maintain temperatures between 96-108°F and contain beneficial minerals including sulfur and magnesium. The property covers 330,000 square feet and includes 2,000 hand-painted ceramic tiles and 330 differently sized windows.
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57. Juvet Landscape Hotel – Minimalist Luxury in Norwegian Wilderness
Each of the seven rooms was designed by architect Jensen & Skodvin to minimize environmental impact, elevated on stilts to preserve forest floor vegetation. The mirror-clad units nearly disappear into the landscape depending on lighting conditions. Director Alex Garland chose this location for filming "Ex Machina" specifically for its otherworldly, isolated atmosphere. The property operates completely off-grid using hydroelectric power from a nearby waterfall.
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56. Null Stern – "Zero Star" Outdoor Luxury
The concept began when artists Frank and Patrik Riklin converted a 1960s Swiss nuclear bunker into a hotel to satirize luxury hospitality culture. Their current open-air bedroom at 6,500 feet elevation includes an antique bed, Egyptian cotton linens, and butler service delivered via hiking trail. The experience operates weather-permitting only, with backup indoor accommodation available during storms. The "zero star" rating deliberately contrasts with traditional hotel luxury standards.
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55. Ooops! Hotel – The Half-Sunken Illusion
This architectural illusion was created by covering a conventional floating structure with a facade that appears to be sinking. The "sinking" effect required precise engineering to maintain the structure's stability while creating the visual illusion. Accessible only by private boat from Västerås marina, the hotel sits in a designated quiet zone where motorboat speeds are limited to preserve the peaceful atmosphere.
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54. Harlingen Harbour Crane – Operate Your Own Hotel Room
This 1967 harbor crane was originally used to unload timber ships from Scandinavia. The conversion required completely rebuilding the interior while maintaining the crane's operational rotating mechanism. Guests receive a brief training session on operating the crane's rotation system, allowing them to change their view between the harbor and city center. The crane can rotate 270 degrees and features a restored vintage control room with original brass fittings.
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53. Montana Magica Lodge – Waterfall-Covered Volcano Hotel
Located in Chile's Huilo Huilo Biosphere Reserve, this 16-room lodge is covered with native plant species that attract over 400 bird species. The artificial waterfall cascades 130 feet down the building's exterior, powered by a hidden pump system. The surrounding 300,000-acre reserve contains ancient Valdivian temperate rainforest and serves as habitat for endangered pudú deer and pumas. Access requires crossing two suspension bridges spanning forest ravines.
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52. Arte Luise Kunsthotel – 50 Rooms, 50 Artists
This 1825 neoclassical mansion houses Berlin's most artistic accommodation, where contemporary artists were given complete creative freedom to design individual rooms. Room 516 features an upside-down environment where all furniture is mounted on the ceiling. Room 420 contains a 13-meter ceiling with a spiral staircase leading to a sleeping loft. The sleigh room actually incorporates an authentic 19th-century horse-drawn sleigh as the bed frame.
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51. SiloStay – Elegant Apartments in Grain Silos
These four converted grain silos date from the 1950s when Little River served as a major agricultural shipping point. Each silo measures 30 feet in diameter, with curved walls that eliminate traditional corner spaces. The conversion required specialized engineering to cut windows into the thick concrete walls while maintaining structural integrity. Guests can climb to the top of the silos for 360-degree views of the Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains.
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50. 9 Hours Capsule Hotel – Efficiency Perfected
The "9 hours" concept breaks down as: 1 hour shower and preparation, 7 hours sleep, 1 hour morning routine. Each pod measures 6.5 feet long, 3.5 feet wide, and 4 feet high, with curved walls that eliminate claustrophobic corners. The chain operates 13 locations across Japan, each featuring a NASA-inspired pod design with personal air circulation systems and ambient lighting that simulates natural sleep cycles. The Japanese capsule hotels are a must-try!
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49. Canopy Tower – Birdwatching Paradise in a Radar Tower
Built in 1965 as part of the US military's early warning radar network monitoring the Panama Canal, this 110-foot structure was decommissioned in 1995. The cylindrical tower's elevation provides views over 200 square miles of rainforest canopy, making it ideal for spotting over 400 bird species recorded in the area. The rooftop platform where radar equipment once operated now serves as an observation deck for dawn birdwatching tours.
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48. Giraffe Manor – Breakfast Companions with 18-Foot Necks
Built in 1932 and modeled on a Scottish hunting lodge, this boutique hotel houses endangered Rothschild giraffes as part of a breeding program that has helped increase wild populations from fewer than 130 to over 1,000 individuals. Each guest stay contributes $10 to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), which runs the conservation program. The resident giraffes roam freely between the manor and adjacent Giraffe Centre, where they participate in education programs for Kenyan schoolchildren. Morning and evening feeding times occur precisely at 9 AM and 5 PM, when the giraffes' 18-inch tongues regularly steal toast from breakfast plates.
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47. Sekeping Serendah – Open-Sided Forest Living
These open-sided concrete shells were designed by architect Kevin Mark Low to blur the boundary between interior and exterior space. Each structure lacks traditional walls, protected only by overhanging roofs that direct rainwater into collection systems. Located in a 25-acre secondary rainforest 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur, the property maintains resident populations of hornbills, macaques, and over 200 bird species that often venture into the open rooms.
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46. Kennedy School Hotel – From Detention to Cocktails
This Portland elementary school operated from 1915 to 1975 before McMenamin brothers purchased and converted it in 1997. Original classroom chalkboards remain in each guest room, displaying subjects like "arithmetic" and "geography." The former gymnasium now houses a brewery with floor-to-ceiling windows, while the old cafeteria serves as a restaurant with original lunch tables. The detention hall operates as the "Detention Bar," complete with original school desks serving as bar seating.
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45. Mustang Monument Eco Resort – Wild West Conservation
This 900-acre ranch houses America's largest wild mustang sanctuary, home to 650 horses rescued from government roundups. The property operates in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management to provide lifetime sanctuary for unadoptable wild horses. Guests can participate in natural horsemanship programs and observe horses in family bands behaving as they would in the wild. The luxury safari-style tents feature heated floors and private bathrooms despite the remote high desert location.
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44. Sala Silvermine – The World's Deepest Hotel Suite
This former silver mine produced ore for the Swedish crown from 1200 to 1908, with mining operations extending to 1,050 feet below ground. The hotel suite sits at 509 feet depth, maintaining a constant temperature of 64°F year-round. Original mining equipment remains visible throughout the tunnels, including 16th-century wooden hoisting wheels and hand-carved chambers. The suite features solid rock walls, candlelight illumination, and complete silence broken only by occasional water drips echoing through the caverns.
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43. Treehotel – Architectural Tree Sculptures
Each treehouse design required specialized engineering to suspend the structures without damaging the supporting pine trees. The Mirrorcube reflects its surroundings so completely that birds occasionally collide with it, requiring special UV-reflective film on the exterior. The UFO unit measures 30 square meters and accommodates four guests despite its extraterrestrial appearance. Construction required helicopter transport of materials to minimize forest disturbance, with each structure anchored to multiple trees for stability.
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42. Sleep in Fængslet – Denmark's Prison Hotel Experience
Horsens State Prison operated from 1853 to 2006, housing Denmark's most notorious criminals including members of organized crime syndicates. Original cells measure just 8 square meters and feature authentic period fixtures including metal beds bolted to walls and small barred windows. The property offers guided tours led by former prison guards who share stories of famous inmates and escape attempts. Cell doors still lock from the outside, creating an authentically unsettling overnight experience.
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41. CasAnus – The Giant Intestine Experience
Dutch artist Joep van Lieshout created this sculpture-accommodation as commentary on consumption and bodily functions in modern society. The structure measures 78 feet long and houses a double bed, shower, toilet, and dining area within its intestinal curves. Located in a Belgian countryside meadow, the piece serves as both functional accommodation and artistic statement about humanity's relationship with basic biological processes. Breakfast is delivered through a special opening designed to resemble the body's natural processes.
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40. Fabriken Furillen – Industrial Minimalism on Gotland
Photographer Johan Hellström transformed this abandoned limestone quarry on Gotland Island into a retreat that celebrates industrial decay. The 16-room complex preserves original concrete structures while adding minimal contemporary interventions. The stark landscape surrounding the property was created by decades of quarrying operations, leaving behind a moonscape that photographers frequently use for fashion shoots. The property operates off-grid using wind and solar power, with rainwater collection systems providing all water needs.
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39. Hotel Marques de Riscal – Frank Gehry's Wine Country Marvel
Frank Gehry's titanium and stainless steel design took seven years to complete and required developing new construction techniques for the complex curved surfaces. The building's ribboning exterior reflects different colors throughout the day, with gold, silver, and pink tones changing based on sun angle. Located within the 160-year-old Marqués de Riscal winery, guests can participate in private tastings of vintages dating back to 1862. The hotel's restaurant holds a Michelin star and serves dishes paired with wines produced on the property.
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38. Utter Inn – Underwater Sleeping on Lake Mälaren
Artist Mikael Genberg's floating cabin appears conventional above water but conceals a submarine-like bedroom accessed via stairs below the waterline. The underwater chamber features windows on all four walls, offering views into Sweden's third-largest lake. Water temperature remains constant at 46°F year-round, while the chamber maintains 72°F through insulation and heating. Pike, perch, and other freshwater fish regularly investigate the underwater windows, often swimming close enough to observe guests sleeping.
The artist Mikael Genberg is behind this and the Woodpecker Hotel - a hotel at the top of a tree.
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37. Kirkjubaer Guesthouse – Sacred Space Turned Secular Retreat
This 1925 Lutheran church served the tiny community of Stodvarfjordur until declining membership forced closure in 1970. The conversion preserved original architectural elements including the altar, wooden pews, and painted ceiling murals depicting Icelandic landscapes. The church bell still chimes hourly, operated by an automated system installed during renovation. Located in a fjord surrounded by 3,000-foot peaks, the guesthouse offers kayak rentals for exploring the pristine waters where seals and occasional whales are spotted.
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36. Igloo Hotel Kakslauttanen – Glass Domes for Aurora Watching
These 65 thermal glass igloos use specially manufactured glass that prevents frost formation even at -40°C, ensuring clear night sky viewing. Each igloo includes heated bathroom facilities and can accommodate temperatures as low as -50°C while maintaining 70°F interior temperature. The property operates from August through April, with the Northern Lights visible on average 200 nights per year from this location. The site also features traditional snow igloos rebuilt annually and a 200-reindeer farm where guests can feed Arctic animals.
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35. Eve's Garden – High Desert Mindfulness Retreat
Built by artist Eve using salvaged materials and natural adobe techniques, this West Texas retreat sits at 5,000 feet elevation in the Chihuahuan Desert. The property produces its own solar power, treats wastewater through natural systems, and grows organic vegetables in greenhouse tunnels. Guests participate in daily meditation sessions, desert hiking, and stargazing programs taking advantage of some of America's darkest night skies. The surrounding landscape attracts roadrunners, javelinas, and over 300 bird species.
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34. Pelican Point Lodge – Secluded Control Tower In Namibia
There's hardly anything more romantic than a lonely lighthouse on a sandy beach. If you stay at Pelican Point Lodge, you can enjoy that view every day from the control tower that's been transformed into a comfortable, stylish hotel.
The lodge is located on the deserted Pelican Point peninsula, and here, you will find pristine beaches with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Walvis Bay Lagoon on the other.
The hotel is surrounded by the world's oldest desert, where you can see wildlife and learn how the animals have adapted to the barren environment. The landscape is so unique that a part of the Mad Max movie was shot here.
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33. Book And Bed Tokyo – Library Hostel That Will Delight Every Book-Lover
Good news for all the bookworms out there! At Book And Bed Tokyo, you’ll find cozy sleeping pods behind the bookshelves and a wide range of books in English and Japanese. There are enough books to keep you reading all night long!
The reimagined hostel has capsules integrated into a bookcase, doubling its functionality and inventing a new style. Apart from your capsule, the cozy nooks on the window sides offer a place to relax. From here, you can see the busy streets of Tokyo.
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32. Hotel de Vrouwe Van Stavoren – Hotel Suites Inside Giant Wine Barrels
If people can age like wine, they can also sleep like wine – by which I mean in a wooden barrel. The Dutch Hotel de Vrouwe Van Stavoren will sort you out for a cozy night in a wine cask.
This unusual hotel/restaurant is located in Stavoren's old harbor. Its natural location offers a view of sailing yachts and traditional boats coming and going on Lake IJssel.
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31. V8 Hotel-Motorworld – Car-themed hotel with Mercedes and Cadillac beds
Jealous of your nephew's car bed? Well, the good news is they come in adult size, too. And they are made from real cars! At V8 Hotel, you'll find plenty of creative car-themed rooms, including a car wash, car workshops, or a racing course.
The 26 V8 rooms were individually designed, and each room's walls and furniture reflect a piece of automotive history. The hotel is located within the MOTORWORLD Region Stuttgart, a 258,333-square-foot (24,000-m2) space dedicated to petrolheads.
Don't miss the Porsche and Mercedes museums nearby!
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30. Kruisherenhotel – Old Meets New At Maastricht Gothic Church
What happens when you put an ultra-modern design in a beautifully preserved gothic interior? Judging by Kruisherenhotel, a pure aesthetic feast happens.
The Gothic monastery was converted into a hotel in Maastricht in the Netherlands. Here, you can observe a spectacular interplay between classical architecture and modern design.
Construction of the monastery began in 1438. The church's choir was completed in 1459, and the current building was built around 1520. In 2000, hotelier Camille Oostwegel took the initiative for a thorough restoration to create a 60-room hotel.
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29. Hang Nga Guesthouse – Dalat's Famous Crazy House
Hang Nga Guesthouse has been splitting the crowds since the beginning. So, is it a surrealist masterpiece of architecture or a thing straight out of nightmares? You must decide for yourself, but it is one of Dalat's most iconic spots.
Architect Dang Viet Nga was inspired by the nature around Dalat and by the works of the Catalan architect Gaudí. The Hang Nga Guesthouse has ten rooms that all look like part of a fairy tale.
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28. Vliegtuigsuite Teuge – Luxury Plane Suite In The Netherlands
You’ve probably seen other repurposed planes before, but hear me out. Vliegtuigsuite Teuge has a fully equipped cockpit and indulgent facilities, including a sauna and jacuzzi. The integrated balcony offers a great view of the Teuge airport runway, so as an aviation fan, you can watch airplanes take off and land.
Vliegtuigsuite Teuge may be the cheapest way to experience first-class luxury.
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27. Skylodge Adventure Suites – Glass Capsule Hanging Off A Mountain In Cusco
Is anything more incredible (and terrifying) than staying in a glass box hanging off a mountain? At Skylodge Adventure Suites, you get a cozy suite with a living room and a bathroom, so it's half adventure, half comfy lodging.
The hanging pods are located between Cusco and Machu Picchu in Peru's magical Sacred Valley. Each capsule can accommodate eight people and is attached to the mountain. To reach your room, you must climb 1,312 feet (400 meters) on a winding mountain path, including some ziplining. However, if you make it up there, you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Urubamba River from the main bedroom, which consists of a wooden platform with glass walls and ceilings.
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26. Hüttenpalast – Nostalgic Retro Caravan Hotel In The Heart Of Berlin
Who said you could only sleep in a caravan on a campsite? The idea behind the hotel is that those who have never been on a regular camping holiday should try it slightly more comfortably.
Hüttenpalast is a former vacuum cleaner factory that now houses quite a collection of lovely vintage caravans. They might be indoors, but they certainly haven't lost their charm.
The room-in-room concept preserved the beauty of the industrial building. Instead of lengthy corridors and floor-to-ceiling walls dividing the rooms, the space is divided into quirky caravans and a large open space.
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25. Propeller Island City Lodge – Avant-Garde Berlin Hotel With Mind-Blowing Design
Are you ready to sleep in a coffin, on a suspended bed, or under a guillotine? Nothing will shock you in life after you step inside Propeller Island. This hotel and art installation by Lars Storschen pushes the very limits of what a hotel can be.
It all started when Lars transformed two rooms in his apartment into guest rooms to finance music projects. Thanks to his creativity, the rooms quickly gained a lot of attention. Then, he decided to expand the guest room business, and five years later, Propeller Island City Lodge was born.
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24. Felsenhotel La Claustra – Former Swiss Military Base After A Makeover
It's not often that you can see inside a military building. The La Claustra Hotel is hidden in a 6,726-foot-high (2,050-meter) mountain and used to be an army bunker.
Although La Claustra has been transformed into a comfortable 4-star hotel, you can still learn much about this former military fortress by wandering through its corridors.
A separate artificial cave has a jacuzzi, and you can enjoy a six-course dinner in the evening. The luxurious underground hotel can accommodate 30 people.
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23. House In The Clouds – Charming English Cottage With A View
The name really says it all, doesn’t it? House In The Clouds is set on top of a 20-meter tall water tower with gorgeous panoramic countryside views.
The original structure held 50,000 imperial gallons (230,000 liters) of water, but in 1923, they decided to cover it with a cute wooden cottage on steroids. The 70-foot (21-meter)- high tower house has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The living compartment is reached via an 85-step staircase. So, if you forget about buying bread, you have a long way to go!
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22. Jumbo Stay Stockholm – Unique Hostel In A Jumbo Jet
Jumbo Stay rooms are relatively short on space (as you might imagine), but they don't lack the wow factor. You can stay in the cockpit, in a turbine, or in the wheel well cabin, so every inch of the plane is put to good use.
The suite in the cockpit boasts a stunning view, and if you have always wanted to experience the sacred place in the front part of a jumbo jet, then you have the opportunity here. The former Boeing 747 is parked at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport, so if you miss your flight, you can visit it—an airport shuttle bus is provided free of charge.
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21. Seaventures Dive Rig – Diver's Paradise On An Oil Rig
Seaventures Dive Rig has been relocated from its original site to one of the best diving spots in Malaysia to create an eco-friendly and unique dive resort.
Seaventures' rehabilitated oil rig, about 0.6 miles (one kilometer) from the Malaysian island of Mabul in East Borneo, serves as a hotel for adventure seekers.
The platform stands on 33 feet (10 meters) long legs above the water, offering fantastic views of the Celebes Sea. Even though the structure still screams its industrial heritage, "onboard," you will find high-speed wifi, airconditioned bedrooms, and even a gaming room.
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20. REVERB by Hard Rock Hamburg - Before Brutalism Was Cool
Photo by HMG
The WW2 fortress built by the nazis in Hamburg is a massive concrete bunker that was designed before Brutalism was even a thing. When Brutalist architecture emerged in the post-war era, it put a smile on fans of raw concrete buildings.
REVERB, the new concept hotel chain by Hard Rock, came up with the crazy idea to use the former nazi bunker and build a pyramid-shaped structure on top, with a garden encircling it. So, the historical structure got a five-story extension and was totally rebuilt inside and outside.
Photo by HMG
Today, you can stay inside this massive concrete in one of the 134 rooms, drink cocktails, and run to the top to see Hamburg's largest public roof garden. Mental!
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19. The Cubehouse – Cuboid House With No Straight Corners
Although slightly confusing and definitely very unusual, The Cubehouse must have required a lot of custom furniture. However, it looks surprisingly homely and welcoming inside. The unusual tilted and co-joint set of cube houses features comparably crazy interiors. The cube houses were designed by Piet Blom, and construction was finished in 1984. They are built over a walkway and angled to create a forest impression.
The cubes, which are tilted and sit on hexagon-shaped pole structures, contain the living areas divided into three levels. The lower level, which is triangle-shaped, contains the living area. Due to the slope of the tilted cube, the windows on this level open onto the environment below.
The middle level contains the sleeping area and a bathroom, while the top level, also triangular, is used as either an extra bedroom or a living space. The top level provides an excellent view because it is a three-sided pyramid with windows all around.
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18. Uiara Amazon Resort – Floating Luxury Hotel On Amazon River
If you're committed to reducing your carbon footprint while traveling, Amazon Jungle Palace is a place for you. This unusual floating hotel uses state-of-the-art technology to ensure sustainable tourism. The Amazon Jungle Palace seems like it's in the heart of the Amazon rainforest on Lake Salvador.
Still, it's only five miles (eight kilometers) from Manaus, the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Amazonas.
The on-site restaurant serves local cuisine, and you can also enjoy snacks and drinks while lounging by the outdoor swimming pool. The hotel can also arrange a wide array of activities, including bird-watching, canoe trips, and ritual performances by the native tribes.
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17. Hotel Jested – Futuristic Tower That Became Czech Cultural Monument
Is it a hotel or a time machine straight out of a science fiction film? It could easily be the latter since Hotel Jested offers retro and future-forward rooms. The iconic structure, completed in 1973 in the Jizera Mountains, is the masterwork of the famous Czechoslovak architect Karel Hubacek.
You can reach the tower on foot or by cable car, but the trip to the top is well worth the effort. Once at the top, you have a phenomenal view over Northern Bohemia (and Liberec) and even Poland and Germany!
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16. Hotel Punta Grande – Miniature Hotel On A Remote Volcanic Island
If all you need is peace and quiet, check out Hotel Punta Grande. Located far from the only town on the remote island of El Hierro, it's undoubtedly not marred with hordes of tourists.
The hotel is located on a rock by the sea and is considered one of Europe's smallest hotels. It has a two-room apartment and, surprisingly, a bar and restaurant. Prepare for a display of nature as the Atlantic Ocean sends impressive waves crashing against the rocky shores of Tenerife!
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15. Dog Bark Park Inn – Dog-Shaped Bed & Breakfast For Dog Lovers
Dennis and Frances had been carving wooden dogs for many years before creating their most enormous artwork – Dog Bark Park Inn.
This giant wooden beagle holds a comfortable suit and, unsurprisingly, is decorated with dozens of dog-related memorabilia. The three-story house has room for four: a double bed in the belly and two mattresses in the loft of the dog's head. The state of Idaho in the USA is a proud producer of local beer and wine, and now it has the world's largest beagle, too!
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14. Ship In The Ice – Ice-Bound Ship In Arctic Norway
The hundred-year-old Ship In The Ice will make you feel like you're a daring traveler on a polar expedition, except without all the hardship and danger and with the added joys of husky sledding and five-course meals.
The sailing ship has been stuck on the frozen waters of Spitsbergen several times during its hundred-year-long service, so be ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
They built the boat in the German port city of Flensburg in 1910. The schooner was first used as a lightship under the name FS Kalkgrund II, like a floating lighthouse. During World War II, the boat was renamed Flensburg by the Nazi German navy, and it was equipped with an air rifle.
Finally, in 1991, the boat was purchased by Dutch owners, who upgraded it, turned it into an expedition ship, and named it Noorderlicht (Dutch for Northern Lights). Today, tourists from around the world regularly board the boat in its ten cabins and sail to Svalbard during the summer season (April through October).
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13. Houshi Onsen – Traditional Japanese Inn Dating Back To 19th Century
Houshi Onsen is a stunning wooden ryokan (Japanese inn) that was built in 1875 at the source of a hot spring. The owner, Okamura, welcomes guests of Ryokan Chojukan at Hoshi Onsen with green tea. The traditional hotel has been family-owned for seven generations.
Furnished in traditional Japanese style, Hoshi Chujokan feels like stepping back in time. Although most rooms are equipped with modern electronics, the oldest rooms appear to be just as old as when the Ryokan first opened. The highlight of Hoshi Chujokan is the large wooden bath, which is in the style of a Rokumeikan (a Japanese banqueting House from the Meiji period).
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12. Museumotel L'Utopie – 1960s Psychedelic Vision Of The Future
These bizarre concrete houses are the 1960s vision for future homes: cheap, functional, and aesthetic. But arguably, Museumotelin Raon-l'Étape, France, with its psychedelic 50s and 60s-inspired interiors, is more of a throwback to the past.
The buildings are examples of the “concrete veil” style of architecture, which seeks to create cheap, functional, and aesthetic houses. Today, the area is a private museum, and you can stay and experience what it must be like to live in a bubble village.
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11. The Boot – Fairytale Accommodation In A Giant Shoe – Nelson, New Zealand
The Boot in New Zealand looks like it's taken straight out of a nursery rhyme. Everything about it is cozy, welcoming, and sweet. The fairytale-like boot is located in the heart of the Tasman region, surrounded by beaches, mountains, and other natural and human-made wonders.
The cute standalone cottage has one bedroom upstairs with a Juliet balcony with views of the courtyard and the pond.
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10. Henn-Na Hotel – Japanese Hotel Staffed With Talking Robots – Sasebo, Japan
If you want to glimpse into the future on your holiday, Japan is undoubtedly the right destination. RAtHenn-Na Hotel, robots will serve you, and you will open your room with facial recognition instead of a conventional key card.
Henn-Na Hotel is the world's first to have a fully-robot staff, so this place is for you if you are into AI and robotics. At check-in, you may be greeted by a human-like robot, but it is also possible that a polite velociraptor will welcome you. Anything can happen at this weird hotel!
In addition to the receptionists, some robots can help you with your luggage, and each room has a personal robot that can turn off the lights for you.
In the Western world, robots are often met with skepticism and may even be seen as a little scary. On the other hand, the attitude is far more positive in Japan, and there are probably several reasons for this.
While the concept of "killer robots" with devastating characters such as Terminator is the standard in the West, many Japanese have grown up with a more diverse - good and bad - selection of robots through manga and anime.
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9. Yellow Sub Liverpool – You Can Live In A Yellow Submarine – Liverpool, United Kingdom
This one will get you twisting and shouting if you're a Beatles fan. Yellow Sub is a faithful recreation of the famous album cover submarine, and it's filled with Beatles memorabilia.
The boat is docked near Albert Dock on the River Mersey in Liverpool and has a lounge area and three en-suite bedrooms. The most eccentric part of the package is the bedroom with the large vintage-framed mirror and the gorgeous views of the nose of the boat.
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8. Atomium Kidsphere – A Night In One Of The Atomium's Glass Spheres – Brussels, Belgium
For most of us, the famous Atomium building in Brussels is only accessible as a museum and exhibition space.
However, lucky primary schoolers can spend a night in one of the glass spheres as part of the educational experience.
The landmark building in Brussels attracts crowds of tourists. It was originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. André and Jean Polak designed the 335-foot (102-meter) tall structure with nine stainless steel spheres.
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7. The G Hotel – Ultra-Chic Hotel for Extroverts – Galway, Ireland
If you like luxury with a quirky twist, The G Hotel will really hit the spot with its charcoal black reception area, bright pink carpets in the corridors, dark purple walls, and a black and white elevator.
This hotel is a sight to behold, with a style that can be described as futuristic baroque. It should come as no surprise that The G Hotel is so stylish; after all, the world-famous hat designer Phillip Treacy is behind the design.
The G Hotel is a five-star design hotel and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World - even though it has 101 rooms...
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6. Espejo De Luna – Wooden Ship Washed Ashore Or Tourist Lodging? – Queilén, Chile
The long maritime tradition of Chiloe inspired the shape of Espejo De Luna, and it resembles a wooden ship washed ashore. Inside, you'll find a reception and a two-story restaurant while the lodgings are spread out on the property. The "drunken" ship is placed on the forested part of the coastline on the island of Chiloe in Chile.
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5. Hotel Everland – Traveling Art Project Hotel – France
Hotel Everland was an art project by Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann that ran between 2006 and 2009. The project ran for a thousand nights, and its goal was to stretch the boundaries of art and hospitality.
Guests could book only one night, and the hotel's location constantly changed as it toured Europe. The art project made fun of typical hotel habits, like stealing items, and the owners actively encouraged guests to take some things home.
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4. Icehotel Sweden – Seasonal Ice Hotel with Incredible Art Suites – Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Icehotel was founded in 1989 and laid the foundation for the original and world-unique invention of today's Icehotel: a hotel created entirely from snow and ice from the Torne River.
In addition, Icehotel hosts Sweden's most unique private art gallery. It is rebuilt every year in a new form, carefully designed and handmade by about 40 artists from around the world. Thanks to Icehotel 365, spending the night among ice art is now possible all year round.
Icehotel 365, completed in 2016, is the first in the world to offer ice experiences all year round. It is a specially designed 2,100-square-meter (22,604-square-foot) ice experience with 18 art and deluxe suites, an ice bar, and an event area with an ice gallery.
For those who quickly get cold feet or are looking for a cozy place to spend a lot of time under the duvet between exciting outdoor activities at Icehotel, you can choose a traditional hotel room or a cabin.
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3. Eh'häusl – Tiny German House With A Romantic Backstory – Amberg, Germany
With a width of only 8.2 feet (2.5 meters), Eh'häusl has a solid claim to the title of the world's smallest hotel.
It was built in the 18th century when couples needed to own a house to get married. So, the bride and groom would buy the house before tying the knot and sell it to the next couple right after! According to Guinness, the Eh'häusl is the smallest hotel in the world, at 570 square feet (53 square meters).
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2. Das Park Hotel – Extremely Minimalist Sewer Pipe Hotel – Ottensheim, Austria
If this isn't recycling at its best (and weirdest), I don't know what is. Das Park Hotel has rooms inside sewer pipes that offer little more than a bed (seriously, not even bathrooms) and come under a pay-as-you-wish model.
Many hotels are built of concrete but usually install windows and a nice facade. Not here. Andreas Strauss is the man behind this quirky idea. He took standard sewer pipes and turned them into comfortable rooms. Artist Thomas Latzel Ochoa was responsible for the interior design.
What about the price? It's pretty much pay as much as you want (within reason).
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1. Spitbank Hotel – Military Sea Fort Turned Into A Boutique Hotel – Seaview, United Kingdom
Everything about this former sea fort feels like a spy movie, from arriving by helicopter to the hyper-luxurious interiors. Spitbank Hotel is really pushing the limits of architecture makeovers with its insanely indulgent revamp.
The hotel, completed in 1878, has only nine rooms. It was formerly a naval base in the south of England. The sea fort offers a unique panorama of Portsmouth and the surrounding sea.
