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Venti
albergi curiosi by
Brooke Dowd (Fonte)
SWEDEN
If
cold weather is your thing, then bundle up and enjoy a stay at the
Ice Hotel in Sweden. Made up of over 6,000 square feet of ice and
snow, it's the largest - and the original - ice hotel in the world.
Guests sleep in a thermal sleeping bag on a special bed built of
snow and ice, on reindeer skins. In the morning, a cup of hot lingonberry
juice is brought to their bedside. After enjoying a good (?) night's
sleep on a bed of snow, that morning delivery should be quite a
delight. With an average temperature of 17 degrees Fahrenheit, bring
lots of layers, or just visit the Absolut ICE bar and drink some
vodka to stay toasty - in more ways than one.
http://www.icehotel.com/
KERELA, INDIA
If
you longed for a tree house getaway as a child, the Green Magic
Treehouses in Kerela, India may be a long awaited dream come true.
The houses are built in trees 90 feet high, and nestled in a tropical
rainforest. They come complete with running water in private baths,
telephones, and if you're feeling extra adventurous - access to
a hanging bridge. All of the houses are made of Eco- friendly materials,
and run by alternate energy sources, avoiding conventional electricity
power. This, coupled with the beautiful abundance of flora and fauna,
make for a beautiful and unique place to stay.
BERLIN,
GERMANY
The Propeller Island City Lodge in Berlin,
Germany, much like the Kunsthotel in the same city, is a gallery-like
hotel. Its 31 rooms are named, not numbered, according to their
design theme. At the lodge, you can choose to sleep in a coffin,
a castle bed, or perhaps a strikingly orange room. Equally unique
are rooms with slanted floors, wave-like walls, and caged beds.
More like a mind trip than a vacation stay, the City Lodge is best
suited for travelers who prefer a bit of adventure.
http://www.propeller-island.com/
MOUNT GAMBIER, AUSTRALIA
If
you've ever spent a night in jail you probably don't want to go
back. However, for the do-gooders that may never get there - The
Jail in Australia is just the place to get locked up for the night,
sans the legal fees and court appearance. This old prison in Mount
Gambier has been transformed into a lodging aimed at budget travelers.
Considering guests will have to eat in the mess hall and sleep next
to a toilet, it's pretty safe to say that anyone with more than
budget needs should steer clear of The Jail.
http://www.jailbackpackers.com
n the middle of a public park in Lintz, Austria lie
3 drainpipes. So, what does this have to do with bizarre hotels?
You mean you don't want to stay in a drainpipe? Perhaps if you named
your own price, would it sweeten the deal? The team at Dasparkhotel
seems to think so. The drainpipes have been converted into mini
guest rooms that consist of a double bed, a bedside table and a
lamp. While your stay in the drainpipe will be far from lavish,
it will surely make for a ridiculous travel story.
http://www.dasparkhotel.net
The Imperial Boat House Hotel, located on
a Cheong Mon Beach in Thailand, is comprised of 34 authentic teakwood
rice barges that have been converted into luxury beachfront suites.
The transformed barges are hoisted up onto the shore to give travelers
the feeling that they've just docked their own private yacht onto
their very own island. Each two-story suite features a sunbathing
deck, living room, dining area, sky-lit bathroom and luxurious bedroom.
In keeping with the vessel theme, the hotel's pool is shaped like
a boat.
http://www.imperialhotels.com/boathouse
By early 2009, travelers will
have the opportunity to stay at the grandiose Poseidon Undersea
Resort. Nestled forty feet below the surface of the clear blue Fijian
Lagoon, the underwater suites will be accessible by elevator. 70
percent of each suite is enveloped in Acrylic walls that allow for
spectacular views of the ocean. Guests are invited to interact with
the surroundings. At the push of a button the fish are fed, and
a flip of a switch turns on the sparkling underwater lights.
http://www.poseidonresorts.com/
TOKYO, JAPAN
Think
you've stayed in an efficiency room? Well, the Japanese are a bit
more efficient than that. The Capsule Inn provides more of well
- a capsule, than a room. While the Inn provides a public lounge
space, including bathrooms, guests stay in a capsule unit. These
capsules, which are made of reinforced plastic, have all the required
amenities, like TV, radio, lighting, and alarm clock access. While
you may be asking, required amenities for who? a quick stay in the
Capsule Inn just might make you long for an all access capsule of
your own.
http://www.capsuleinn.com/
SWEDEN
At the Utter Inn, guests literally sleep with
the fishes. Swedish Sculptor and Artist, Mikal Genberg designed
the Utter Inn that floats atop Lake Malaran. Guests are taken out
in an inflatable boat to a small red house and then left alone to
delve deep into the water to where they will spend the night. Far
from ordinary, the Utter Inn is sure to be more of an aquatic adventure
than a hotel stay.
http://www.privateislandsonline.com/utter-inn.htm
LITCHFIELD
HILLS, CONNECTICUT
The cottages at the Winvian in Litchfield
Hills, CT are an unusual, yet quiet resort-style getaway. Designed
by fifteen different architects, each cottage has a unique theme
and comes outfitted with luxurious amenities, such as spa inspired
bathrooms. The Helicopter cottage is a 17,000 pound restored 1968
Sikorsky Sea King helicopter with operating lights and controls
that simulates flying over the New England countryside. Among the
other cottage themes are a tree house and a greenhouse, a Beaver
Lodge that has an actual dam above the bed, and the Davinci Code-like
Secret Society cabin. Despite the upscale services and the posh
rates (between $1,500- $2,000 including all meals and drinks), the
Winvian is just one big countryside playhouse.
http://www.winvian.com/
Have
you ever experienced the went to school in your underwear nightmare?
At McMenemins Kennedy School hotel, that nightmare becomes a reality.
The Kennedy School, a historic elementary school, has been converted
into a delightful little place to stay while visiting the Portland
area. Each room, fashioned from original schoolrooms, contains a
chalkboard and comes fitted with a phone, Internet connection, and
even a private bath. Couple those amenities with an in-house restaurant,
movie theatre, and brewery, and you've got a truly unique hotel
without sacrificing any conveniences during your stay.
http://www.mcmenamins.com
Looking
for another sea themed hotel? Just hop aboard a flight to Dubai
and visit the Burj Al- Arab (Arabic for the Tower of the Arabs).
The luxury hotel resembles a billowing white sail that stands over
1,000 feet tall on a man made island. Designed to be to Dubai what
the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, it was once marketed as the world's
only 7 star hotel. So it is not surprising that Burj-Al-Arab is
also among the world's most expensive hotels.
http://www.burj-al-arab.com/
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Created by Volkswagen in
an effort to promote a car, Hotel Fox, is a creative and cool hotel
located in the center of Copenhagen, Denmark. Twenty-one artists
were commissioned to design sixty-one rooms, which are not so much
theme oriented, but rather they share an over the top, kitsch appeal.
The service provided by the hotel is equally special. Guests can
enjoy a flat screen TV panel in their room, and a twist on the standard
mini-bar. Minibar-bags or more specifically - the Hangoverbag, Moviebag,
Loversbag are provided to suit different occasions, as well as your
very own customized bag. Trendy and plush, the Fox Hotel is certainly
a journey to be taken when staying in Denmark.
http://www.hotelfox.dk/
MT.
TREMPER, NEW YORK
Kate Pierson, member of the quirky
rock band the B-52's, created an equally quirky cabin getaway in
the Catskill Mountains of New York. Kate's Lazy Meadow features
mind-blowing mid-century modern/space age/rocket-your-socks-off
decor The grooviest of suites contains two bedrooms and a full service
50's style kitchen - turquoise refrigerator and all. The motel is
located on nine beautiful acres and one lazy meadow, so that guests
here are surrounded by more than just fun knick-knacks.
http://www.lazymeadow.com/
WAITOMO, NEW ZEALAND
Planes, Trains, and Hobbit Motels? Woodlyn
Park in Waitomo, NZ offers three unique lodging options. A 1950's
railcar and a Bristol Fighter plane have been refurbished and transformed
into small self-contained motel units. The Hobbit Motel resembles
an authentic hobbit hole built into the side of the mountain. The
entertainment provided at any of the 3 Woodlyn Park motels is equally
bizarre. Guests are invited to enjoy a sheep shearing and fun with
bush animals, such as the kiwi bear or the dancing pig.
http://www.woodlynpark.co.nz/
ENGLAND
Alton Towers, England's most famous
theme park, features 8 roller coasters, 3 water rides, and several
themed hotel suites. Among the available themes are Peter Rabbits
burrow, Arabian nights, Two Chocolate suites, and one totally cool
- perfectly pink - Sleepover Suite. For the ultimate girls night
in' (at around 550 US dollars a night) the Sleepover Suite comes
equipped with a theatrical dressing area packed with makeup, state
of the art entertainment system, and soundproof walls - for the
karaoke of course. Whimsical and fun, Alton Towers is the ultimate
destination for families traveling to the U.K.
http://www.altontowers.com/hotels/choose_alton_suites.asp
SRI LANKA
Touted as a way of life rather than a hotel,
Helga's Folly, (formerly Hotel Chalet) is a 40-room boutique hotel
in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Run by Helga herself, the hotel was designed
by her family in the 1930's. Buddhist relics, Ancient statues, murals,
and elaborate shrines, coupled with modern kitsch make up the overall
grandiose decor of Helga's Folly. Guests are invited to explore,
enjoy the 1930's jazz tunes that are played throughout, and soak
up the way of life.
http://www.helgasfolly.com/
AUSTRALIA
Luxury and tree hugging usually don't go hand
in hand. The Fur n' Feathers Rainforest Tree Houses in Australia
manage to combine the two. This beautiful accommodation is a wildlife
sanctuary, located on more than 100 acres of endangered rainforest.
Guests lodge in the luxury pole houses that overlook the Ithaca
River, which offer privacy and seclusion. A stay at Fur n' Feathers
provides a retreat from the stress of daily life with a unique,
eco-friendly twist.
http://www.rainforesttreehouses.com.au/
BERLIN, GERMANY
If the term theme hotel evokes images of champagne
hot tubs and vibrating
beds, one visit to the Kunsthotel in Berlin will change that. Each
room in this gallery-like hotel is whimsically designed by a renowned
artist to fit a different theme, era, or location. Rooms dedicated
to Edward Hopper, Audrey Hepburn and Vincent Van Gogh are among
the choices. Others have broader themes, like specific literary
works, the color yellow, or shoe fetishes. With more than fifty
rooms and an art gallery, the Kunsthotel, is a feast for the eyes
and a treat to all travelers interested in the arts.
http://www.luise-berlin.com/en/hotel/bel-etage.htm
PARIS, FRANCE
The city of Paris still holds some of its Bohemian charm. This charm,
along with the works of the writers and painters of old world Paris,
are preserved in the Hotel de Nesle. This quaint budget hotel's
rooms are adorned with painted frescoes based on historical events
and literary themes. Guests can choose to sleep in rooms designed
in homage to the writer Moliere, the Notre Dame de Paris, or in
the romantic Heloise room. Luxury lovers beware, the Hotel de Nesle
is void of elevators and phones so you can forget about room service.
Travelers who have few needs and a love for the arts would better
appreciate this hotel and all of its delights.
http://www.hoteldenesleparis.com/
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Ice
Hotel
Green
Magic Treehouses
The
Old Jail Mount
Imperial
Boat House
Utter
Inn
Winvian
Cottages
Burj
Al- Arab 
Hotel
Fox
Kate's
Lazy Meadow Motel
Woodlyn
Park Motels
Alton
Towers
Helga's
Folly
Fur
n' Feathers Rainforest Tree Houses 
Kunst
Hotel