Bedding Down in the World's Most Bizarre Hotels

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

WhitePod, Switzerland
1700m above the village of Les Cerniers in the Swiss Alps, Whitepod is like a swanky basecamp for a climbing expedition, but this one features 7km of ski slopes with private lifts for each one. The highlight of its living quarters has to be its camp, made up of 15 geodesic dome-pods surrounding a central chalet that offers authentic Swiss cuisine.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

Harlingen Harbour Crane, Netherlands
Decommissioned in 1996, this former timber-hauling crane has been transformed into a bi-level two-person room docked 60 feet above the Wadden Sea. Two specially designed elevators take the guests to a room full of luxurious accoutrements like touchscreen lighting. The aquatic views are panoramic, but if you don't like your perspective, you can take the crane controls and swing the room in any direction.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

Giraffe Manor, Kenya
A six-room estate on the property of the Langata Giraffe Centre wildlife preserve in Nairobi. The manor itself is decorated with period furniture from the 19th century like somewhere Sir Henry Morton Stanley would stay before his search for Dr. Livingstone. But the real draw here is the potential to be eating breakfast while one of the many giraffes sticks their head through the window and eats from your hand.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

The Dog Bark Park Inn, Idaho, USA
This bed & breakfast may be the dog's bollocks for any animal lover, located inside the world's biggest beagle. Entered from a second story deck through the rear of the dog, the furniture and the dog itself was created by a group of chainsaw artists. The head of the dog features an additional loft room and the muzzle has another small alcove.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

Exploranter, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Though based in Brazil, this hotel also tours Chile and Argentina because, well, it's a hotel on wheels. This trailer on steroids features 28 beds, a kitchen and hot showers. The chef on board is known to serve South American delicacies such as red ants, but the hotel itself caters to expeditions such as hot air ballooning, horseback riding, rafting or touring wine country.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

Everland, last seen in Paris, France
The Everland was another mobile Hotel, but as a one room art installation it could get to places the Exploranter can only dream of. Created by artist duo L/B (Sabina Lang & Daniel Baumann) it was first used in Yverdon and placed on the Lake Neuchatel in 2002 for four months and then brought to the roof of the duo's studio before being moved to the the roof-deck of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Leipzig, Germany between 2006 and 2007. Finally, between October 2007 and Spring 2009 the Everland enjoyed the view of the Eiffel Tower from the roof of Palais de Tokyo. When it was in use as a hotel it included a bedroom, a washroom and a lounge. All hotel guests were asked to steal the golden embroidered towels.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

Propeller Island City Lodge, Berlin
In the heart of the German capital, this hotel may very well be the weirdest. Designed by artist Lars Stroschen in a quest to alter perceptions, the lodge features 45 one-of-a-kind rooms. One room is completely inverted, so you sleep on what would be the ceiling while the furniture hangs above you; the others give you different sleeping experiences. You can have your bed in cages, coffins, or a mine shaft.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

The Hobbit Motel, Woodlyn Park, Waitomo, New Zealand
Right out of Lord of the Rings, these two rooms are carved into the side of a hill and feature Bilbo's trademark cubby-hole door. The rooms are fully furnished with their own kitchen and bathroom facilities. They can fit up to six people with two sets of bunk beds in separate rooms and a double bed in the main living area. After all, they only look small. The property also features a hotel in a plane and a rail car if you prefer.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

The Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Often imitated, never duplicated, the original and largest Ice Hotel is rebuilt every winter as 6,000 square feet of ice and snow. Wear lots of layers because you're going to be sleeping in a thermal sleeping bag on top of a bed of ice and deer skins. Don't worry though, when you wake up the next morning to a delivery of hot lingonberry juice. Temperatures drop to -8 degrees celsius, so you may want to visit the Absolut Voldka ICE Bar.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels

Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Cappadocia, Turkey
I'm sure sleeping in a cave made of volcanic rock doesn't sound very comfortable, but the insulation it provides actually keeps the cave in the civilized range of 17 to 20 degrees celsius. The cave is actually a former 1000-year-old Byzantine spiritual retreat and until recently was still being used by Christian monks.

World's Most Bizarre Hotels