Boat Hotels

The world’s first on-land cruise ship, this hotel takes all the joy of a cruise ship and combines it with the usefulness of staying in one place. The sound of waves lapping at the hull is simulated, so you can imagine you are on a cruise. The location is on …

The peaceful waterways of the Netherlands have long been popular holiday destinations. There is something about calm, fresh water, trees, and far-distant grasslands that relaxes the soul. Trouble is, you always have to leave the water and return back to reality by heading back to your hotel at the end …

This hotel is located on a boat; no big deal there; lots of hotels are on boats – hell, what about cruise ships? Well, this boat is a little different. Not only does it feature stunning design (more on that later) but it sails you on an adventurous cruise up …

Built at the starboard end of the British obsession with the seaside, this holiday bungalow is shaped like a barge and decorated with a nautical theme. The bungalow is self-catering with all modern conveniences provided for. Wooden shutters allow air to circulate in summer and protect the windows from storms. …

This traditional Indonesian Phinisi ship is the first of its kind to offer cruises for up to 10 passengers. These ships were first built by the Konjo tribe in the 17th Century and have been in continuous use ever since. For the most part, they have been used for trading …

Virgin Magnate Richard Branson has recently added a luxury catamaran to his collection of unique hotels. Necker Belle specializes in Whale watching, and every year it follows thousands of whales as they meet at Silver Bank in the Caribbean for the annual mating. During this time, the Whales come to …

In the Northern Netherlands, people don’t drive so much. They cycle the flatlands breathing fresh air or they take a boat along a network of clean waterways. The area is full of historic attractions and European charm. To make the most of your stay, the Werf Ijlst hotel offers its …

For much of the last century Woodlyn Park was a farm but today it is an educational center and family fun park with some unique accommodation. Before we get onto that, it is worth mentioning Billy Black’s Kiwi Culture Show where you get a sheep-shearing, cow-riding, wood-chopping experience of Kiwi …

The Mekong River is the 12th longest river in the world. It begins in Tibet and flows through six countries all the way to the sea. In the section that flows through Laos, barges have long been used on the river as the main source of transportation for traders and …

The main bulk of the hotel resembles an upside-down boat and a complex of tourist lodgings spreading out through this wooded stretch of coastline on the island of Chiloe in Chile. The area is famous for its wildlife and is an excellent place to spot rare Dolphins and Whales. There …

Unusually for a decommissioned lifeboat hotel (wow, I’ve talked about so many unique hotels that this phrase doesn’t even seem strange), this one is still functioning. You can hire a captain to take you, your partner, and your whole hotel out into the open sea. Now that sounds fun! This …

All the pomp and grandeur of the Titanic without any of that silliness with icebergs; the Queen Mary has had a long and prosperous career with no (fingers crossed) bad renditions of ‘My Heart Will Go On’ yet. Beginning life in the 1930s, it was built in Scotland and became …

Forget staying in a hotel by the sea. How about staying in one in the sea? Your room in this unique hotel is on a floating platform in the beautiful Swedish fjords. Each 2-story unit was built off-site and towed to Klädesholmen where each piece was permanently moored ready for …

F.A.S.T (Free Architecture Surf Terrain) is an alternative surfing community with a hostel, an all-summer beach party, and a number of ‘survival capsules’. These originally came from an off-shore oil rig and are now available to stay in. You can choose from a few pods, each with its own emergency …