Hotels

You go to Istanbul because it is one of the world’s great historic cities. So why stay in a boring hotel? You want to stay in something charming, something with a connection to the city with a unique character. Step forward to the Dersaadet Hotel. The name means “place of …

If you were to tell me that you are going to stay in a “0-star hotel” I might wonder if you are planning to sleep in a ditch. But I would be very ill-informed. The Dunant Hotel has chosen to bill itself as “0 stars” to reflect its philosophy of …

In the cult 1960s show, ‘The Prisoner’, a Machiavellian sphere would swallow you up if you tried to escape from The Village. Luckily, these spheres are not the tools of a creepy fascist state. Just look at them, suspended in a web of ropes in the fertile treetops. They wouldn’t …

Domes are all the rage in eco-tourism these days. Where old-style hotels needed deep foundations, roads, pipes, and cables to be laid down – eco domes are made from special vinyl that is warm, durable, and light. They are built using the “leave no trace” philosophy and the hotel’s designers …

This compact luxury inn or “ryokan” is situated in a perfect location with mountains falling like curtains behind small valleys and rivers. The inn has balconies where you can relax and take in the amazing Japanese countryside. There is a nearby train station, so you will easily be able to …

Kasbah Tamadot is part of Richard Branson's portfolio of unique retreats. It is a traditional Moroccan castle in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. The Kasbah is surrounded by scented gardens, terraces, and staircases and maintains traditional glamour. You can stay in the Berber Tent suites which are in the …

Implements of control and dominance never last long and here is an example. Originally a radar tower built by the US in order to exert strategic control of the Panama Canal and fight the bloody War on Drugs, the tower is now a place for families to watch birds and …

Set in the small fishing town of ‘Kaikoura’ (which means ‘to eat crayfish’ in Maori) the Hapuku Lodge is the place to stay if you love eco tourism, beautiful scenery, and sea air. The area has been home to the Maori for over 1000 years and is an excellent example …

Legend has it that when God was done creating the world, he had a handful of features left - deserts, mountains, and forests. He put them all in his pocket. But his pocket had a hole in it and as he walked across heaven bits of land leftover from making …

This perfect example of Victorian engineering has been well preserved since it was built in 1871. Back in the 19th Century, the Prince of Wales got sick with Typhoid from drinking unclean water so the tower was commissioned to serve the Royal Sandringham Estate with clean water. The 60-foot tower …

Stay in a cottage in a 113-acre holiday resort where serenity and natural environments pervade. It is right next to 4000 acres of forest which you can explore during your generous allocations of leisure time. Each cottage is themed. Choose to stay in the fairy-tale “Treehouse” or the “Music Cottage” …

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 …

Billed as Britain’s “sauciest hotel” the Pelirocco has much to delight you, especially if you happen to be in the mood for some busy lovemaking. Or not as the case may be, there is plenty to do. They will organize a professional makeover and a glamorous photoshoot for you. The …

Built in the heart of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia the experience hotel is staffed by Mongolians who offer traditional hospitality to visitors. You stay in a “Ger” which is the traditional tent of Mongolia’s nomadic herders. They are heated by a wood burner and supported by beautifully painted wooden …

This elementary school was built in 1915 in a semi-remote location in Northeast Portland. One of the first rules installed for pupils and parents in the early years forbade the taking of pop shots at the rabbits from the moving streetcar. It closed its doors as a school in 1974 …

This is one of the most ambitious design hotels in the world. Why have one or two prize-winning architects when you can have 19? Creative freedom is the ethos of the hotel which cost an estimated 75million Euro to finance. Each architect was given a free rein over one floor …

After pulling-off the typical European trick of killing thousands of native people with infectious diseases, early settlers in Australia set up a quarantine station in Sydney. The Q –Station housed all new immigrants to Australia for 40 days and functioned from 1830-1984. Much of the area and buildings have been …

The Atomium is a singular building in the European capital of Brussels. It is a museum, exhibition space, and viewing gallery. It is constructed of enormous spheres connected by futuristic walkways using plastics, steel, and glass. The experience of moving through this novel space is like moving through a new …

You cannot come across the word Mogadishu without the pre-modifying clause, ‘the most dangerous city in the world’. And fair enough, most luxury hotels do not come with an increased risk of death and kidnap. But there have only been 2 major incidents involving guests of the Hotel Sahafi in …

Some call it the ‘Hotel of Doom’ while others have dubbed it the ‘Phantom Pyramid’ because the North Korean government went through a phase of airbrushing it from photos and denying its existence. Like many things in North Korea this hotel has been a source of confusion to people not …