Today’s travel-savvy consumers are demanding authentic and Instagram-worthy experiences. Popular sites and landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Machu Picchu remain the most visited locations. However, there are those who are tired of the typical, “touristy” spots. The following hotels bear the enviable distinction of being both an accommodation and a unique experience.
Cliff Hanger
This first hotel is not for the faint of heart. Literally hanging from the side of a cliff, these are capsules labeled as Adventure Suites. Located in the Sacred Valley in Cusco, Peru, guests have to climb or hike using a network of zip lines to get to their rooms! There are currently three capsules each containing four beds, a private bathroom, and a dining area. Made from transparent aluminum and polycarbonate, the capsules offer breathtaking views of the valley below.
Cooling Off
Opened from January to April, Hotel de Glace is made entirely from snow and ice. The hotel is rebuilt annually but is always erected in and around Quebec City, Quebec. The structure takes 6 weeks to build and uses 30,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of ice. The hotel features, ice beds, ice bars, and themed hotel rooms.
Light Show
Kakslauttanen Resort is located in Saariselkä, Finland home of Santa Claus Village! The resort offers a variety of accommodation types including glass igloos, snow igloos, and Kelo-glass igloos; a combination of the glass igloo and a log cabin. The location of the resort is one of the most popular places to view the Aurora Borealis; especially from the unique glass igloos.
Dog Days
Cottonwood, Idaho is home to the world’s biggest beagle! Standing at 30 feet tall, this quirky bed and breakfast has been ranked in the top twenty most fun and exciting places to stay. The entrance is accessed by a second-floor deck that leads into the body of the beagle. The property is replete with doggy sculptures and furnishings.
Nosy Neighbors
It’s not the structure of this next hotel that makes it unique but the special guests that pop in from time to time. The Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya was built in 1932 and is a sanctuary for the endangered Rothschild giraffe. The hotel has twelve rooms and can accommodate up to 25 guests. Guests are encouraged to feed and pet the giraffes who sometimes poke their heads through room windows!
