Traveling used to be pretty straight-forward. Hotels were more-or-less the same, varying only in luxury and price. But as holidays abroad became increasingly common, the market adapted to fill the ever-growing needs of more experienced tourists. Suddenly, regular folks were no longer happy with spending their day off in a lovely room with a view of the beach and a pool.
In the 21st century, people are looking for more than essential comfort and a daiquiri bar during their vacation time. They want excitement, novelty, and something amazing to show to their Instagram friends. They want to have their personalities reflected in their traveling adventures, starting with the hotel. But how crazy can hotels really get? Well, you're about to find out.
Big Idaho Potato Hotel
This giant potato was initially built to be used on parades in the state of Idaho. But nowadays, the Big Idaho Potato has gained a new life. Tiny-house designer Kristie Wolfe transformed it into a livable, cozy "hotel" with a bathroom and electricity, and people are dying to spend a night inside.
A major Airbnb hit, the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, is a bizarre sight and a social media favorite. If you're asking yourself why anyone should spend the night inside of a giant potato, the answer is: why not? It's a fun place to enjoy a night out with your significant other and a mandatory destination for all potato fans.
The Clown Motel
While most hotels are designed for your peaceful sleep, the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada, seems to have the opposite effect on its guests. Sleeping gets a whole lot harder when you happen to be stranded in a scary-looking motel filled with clown-inspired decorations located right next to a cemetery.
Not advised for couples on their honeymoon or for people who suffer from coulrophobia (the irrational fear of clowns), the Clown Motel can be a lot of fun if you're into horror movies and nightmarish experiences. Sweet dreams are not included.
Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast
An Airbnb superstar, the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast, in Massachusetts, looks like a regular suburban house. So, why are we even talking about it? This seemingly ordinary house happens to be the place in which a woman named Lizzie Borden murdered her father and stepmother with an ax!
Filled with horrific crime scene photos, this American house is the type of hotel that makes some tourists tingle with excitement. It features eight rooms that are guaranteed to make you feel like you're about to be chopped in half by the ghost of Lizzie Borden.
No Man's Fort
Sitting just outside of Portsmouth, in the United Kingdom, stands one of the most bizarre hotels in the world. Initially built as a wartime line of defense, No Man's Fort looks like an old fortress, but it's actually a luxurious hotel.
Boasting 22 well-equipped rooms, it's only accessible via private boat, and it's a perfect vacation destination for those looking for a unique experience. With a lot of activities available to the visitor, the No Man's Fort is arguably the world's safest remote hotel.
Karosta Prison Hotel
Why should you pay to go to jail when you can simply steal something and get a free ticket? Well, one of the advantages is that you're able to decide for yourself how many nights you want to stay. Other than that, the Karosta Prison Hotel, in Latvia, offers a believable prison experience to its guests.
The Karosta Prison is not only creepy, but it's also designed to make you feel like a real prisoner. It's the ideal place for tourists who love extreme experiences and who are not worried about sleeping and showering in rooms that once housed Soviet-era prisoners.
Marqués de Riscal Hotel
Spain is not shy when it comes to building offensively avant-garde museums, hotels, and houses. The Marqués de Riscal Hotel is yet another example of remarkable Spanish architecture, even though a Canadian-American architect, Frank Gehry designed it.
Using a fluid and curved style that can also be seen in Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum, the Marqués de Riscal Hotel is a luxurious 43-rooms wonder. It's expensive to stay over, but if you love architecture, can you deny yourself the chance of spending a night in this wobbly modern-day marvel?
Mountaintop Cabin
The Italian Alps are a fantastic natural location and one of the best winter destinations in the world. But would you dare to climb 8,300 feet to stay at this tiny remote hotel? The Mountaintop Cabin is arguably the world's most isolated hotel and the ultimate destination for those looking for a little bit of peace and quiet.
The Mountaintop Cabin is the best place ever to run away from your stressful city life, but make sure you're safe and fully packed. There are no hospitals nearby, and going out for groceries is simply not an option.
Catacombs of Paris
Don't book your flight right away. The Catacombs of Paris are not always open to the public, at least when it comes to spending the night. But in 2016, a special Airbnb Halloween promotion allowed a handful of lucky visitors to sleep in one of the world's largest depositories of dead people.
Spending the night in a morbid underground ossuary? It's all worth it if you're into this sort of experience. And in the end, Paris is Paris! Even though sleeping can be troubling when you're in the company of over six million dead people.
Tianzi Hotel
As the West becomes more and more fascinated with how weird Japan can be, this hotel shows that China's not far behind when it comes to loving the bizarre and uncanny. The Tianzi Hotel, in the city of Hebei, is a massive construction that stands-out in the neighborhood, and it's supposed to depict the Chinese gods of prosperity, fortune, and longevity.
This unbelievable hotel is a gigantic reference to gods Fu, Lu, and Shu, and it's one of China's best-kept secrets. Hard to find, the Tianzi Hotel sits almost an hour East of Beijing, but it's worth it!
Icehotel
In the smalltown of Jukkasjärvi, in Sweden, lies one of the most amazing hotels ever designed. The Icehotel, as its name indicates, is entirely made out of ice. Arguably the best possible place to watch to the wondrous natural spectacle of the Northern Lights, the Icehotel is rebuilt every year, and it's open from December to April.
Maintenance and logistics can be a nightmare at the Icehotel, but guests don't have to worry about that. All they have to do is to enjoy this magnificent architectural miracle and discover its many suites and ice bars. With access to an ice chapel, guests can even get married at the Icehotel.
CasAnus
The intestine is essential, just like the brain and the heart, but people don't talk about it as much. Considered to be a less-glamorous part of the human body, it is sometimes ignored. But the designers of the CasAnus hotel, in Belgium, have decided to break the tabu with this colon-inspired architectural oddity.
We're not sure what makes someone want to spend a night inside an intestinal tract, but the CasAnus is a popular attraction nonetheless. If you love anatomy, give it a try. If you don't, well, the CasAnus still makes for an excellent Instagram post.
The Crane Hotel
In the ever-inviting city of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, there are a lot of hotels and hostels to choose from. But none look as exciting and weird as the Crane Hotel. If somebody told us that the Dutch would be transforming a real crane into a one-room hotel, we would say they were crazy.
But guess what? The Crane Hotel is real and is a hit amongst tourists. A fully-functional crane, the Crane Hotel can rotate to offer its guests a panoramic view of Amsterdam's pier. It's not the world's most luxurious hotel, but it's probably only one of few that spin around.
Giraffe Manor
One of the main tourist attractions in Kenya is the excitement of African wildlife. But in the city of Nairobi, there's an iconic 1930's building turned-hotel that stands-out for presenting its guests with the company of some giraffes. If you love giraffes, you have to visit Giraffe Manor!
Can you imagine eating breakfast in a beautiful mansion while also having the chance to pet some giraffes and exploring one of Africa's most beautiful countries? It's no wonder Giraffe Manor has been considered one of the world's most Instagrammable hotels!
Montana Magica Lodge
Situated in the South-American country of Chile, the Montana Magica Lodge is the kind of hotel that makes us pinch ourselves to check if we're dreaming. Built on top of an inactive volcano, this wondrous hotel lies in the middle of the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve.
The perfect vacation destination to anyone who loves nature and has a few thousand dollars to spend, the Montana Magica Lodge is the ultimate crossover between a luxurious experience and an eco-friendly, close-to-nature escapade.
Hotel Costa Verde
Don't sound the alarm just yet. This is not a Mayday situation, and this is not a real plane crash. It's the Hotel Costa Verde, an originally-designed vacation site for you to enjoy the beautiful country of Costa Rica.
Feeling like you're part of the cast of "Lost" is only one of the many luxuries of staying at Hotel Costa Verde. Featuring studios with ocean and garden views, this Boeing 727-inspired hotel features a lot of extras, such as a restaurant, a sundeck, and cliffside pools. With no turbulence, it's going to be the best flight of your life!
Sun Cruise Resort
South-Korean businessmen decided for some reason to build a hotel that looks just like a cruise ship, but that's never meant to hit the sea. Sitting right next to the beach, the Sun Cruise Resort got his name for supposedly being the best place in the country to watch the beautiful sunrise.
Just like any regular cruise ship, the Sun Cruise Resort is filled with luxury, rooms, and restaurants. And in true South-Korean style, it even has a place for the visitors to engage in some fun karaoke.
Propeller Island City Lodge
From the same country that brought us the Oktoberfest, we introduce you to the Propeller Island City Lodge hotel, a place where you can fulfill your lifelong dream of sleeping in a coffin! Why wait until your redemption day when you can do it now, while also getting a chance to explore the hip city of Berlin?
Well, sleeping in a coffin is not for everyone, especially if you suffer from claustrophobia or from an acute fear of dying. But traveling is all about having new experiences, so why not?
Bivacco Gervasutti
Mont Blanc, in Italy, is the highest mountain in the Alps and the place where you can find one of the most unique hotels on our list. We introduce you to the Bivacco Gervasutti; a space-age capsule turned hotel that offers a fantastic view of the mountains.
A dream destination, especially for those who love hiking and winter sports, this hotel is meant to literally make you feel like you're sitting on top of the world. Sleeping comfortably at 9,300 feet in one of the world's most beautiful mountains of the world? Sign us in!
Das Park Hotel
If you ever find yourself in the city of Linz, in Austria, you cannot miss the chance of spending the night inside a concrete tube. What might sound like a horrible experience is actually pretty cool. The Das Park Hotel is modern, cozy, and sits in a beautiful green park in the city center.
If you're into recycling and sustainability, you're going to love this unique hotel. After all, it was built from used sewage pipes. Sounds gross, but don't worry: they're clean and adequately equipped to meet your every need.
Dog Bark Park Inn
In the same state that brought us the Big Potato Hotel, the Dog Bark Park Inn can also be found. This majestic Idaho symbol is shaped like a Beagle and has a very uninviting name. After all, dogs barking and sleeping aren't exactly the best match.
But relax. Despite the title, the Dog Bark Park Inn is a place of tranquility. It's one of those hotels that your children will never, ever forget. With room for four guests, the Dog Bark Park Inn gets even better if you bring your own Beagle because it's pet-friendly.
Mirrorcube
If you thought the Icehotel was Sweden's weirdest vacation destiny, you're in for a surprise. Built in the middle of a forest near the city of Luleå, the Mirrorcube is an architectural staple in which guests have a chance to blend in with the surrounding natural landscape.
Disappearing completely was never this easy! The Mirrorcube is an obligatory destination for every fan of modern architecture, and it's supposed to be a life-changing experience. Just make sure you don't get lost in the woods since this hotel can be hard to spot.
Kolarbyn Eco-Lodge
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live without electricity? If you feel like getting a taste of life before the invention of the lamp, all you have to do is to visit the city of Skinnskatteberg. Located in Sweden, the ultimate country for weird hotels, the Kolarbyn Eco-Lodge is not a place for the faint of heart.
Every room comes with a fireplace, but that's about it. Other than fire, there's no heating system, no light, and no showers. This is a place for you to live like people did hundreds of years ago, so don't expect any luxuries!
Pengheng Space Capsules Hotel
What's it like to live in the future? We might never know, but spending a night at the Pengheng Space Capsules Hotel may be as close as we will ever get. This vacation destination sits in the city of Shenzhen, in China, and operates with a staff of robots!
To top it all, the Pengheng Space Capsules Hotel is close to the airport and very affordable, probably because the administration saves so much money with the staff. Accessibility, functionality, and futurism? What's not to like? Don't feel surprised if you happen to stumble into C-3PO and R2-D2.
La Balade Des Gnomes
In the rural area of Heyd, in Belgium, sits one of the world's most amazingly weird hotels. It's not quite a hotel, but rather a humble wood construction inspired by the Greek legend of the Trojan Horse. Odysseus' cunning plan to invade Troy has become so famous that it's now used as an everyday expression. But a hotel?
At La Balade Des Gnomes (The Ballad of the Gnomes), fantasy and countryside-life come together to make for a memorable experience. This is as close to Troy as any of us will ever be.
Sala Silvermine
From Sweden, the country who brought us the Icehotel and the Mirrorcube, here's yet another Scandinavian staple: the Sala Silvermine. The Swedish seem to have a sweet spot for weird and unique hotels, and the unusual trait of the Sala Silvermine is its deep location: 500 feet below the ground.
Located in the city of Västmanland, the Sala Silvermine is the perfect place for loving couples looking for all the privacy they can get. Just make sure you're not visiting with a claustrophobic friend since spaces can get tight.
Whitepod
The Swiss are accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle, and they know all about going eco without snubbing luxury. The Hotel Whitepod, one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Swiss Alps, is the embodiment of an eco-luxury experience.
Since ecology doesn't need to imply discomfort, the Whitepod Hotel is ready to meet your needs. At the same time, it offers a breathtaking view of the mountains. To top it all, the hotel itself is an architectural feat, and the interior is decorated gorgeously. Enjoying a warm beverage was never this amazing!
The Savoy Hotel
This luxurious hotel sits in the city of Mussorie, in India, and looks like the perfect vacation-time destination for Westerners looking to spend a small fortune in a luxurious room. So, what is it that makes it so unique?
According to reports from former guests, the Savoy Hotel may be haunted! After all, it was the site of a 1911 unsolved murder and helped to inspire one of Agatha Christie's first novels. We don't believe in ghosts, but we're still intrigued.
Yellow Sub
No other city in the world could have a hotel that looks like this. But in Liverpool, the home of the world's most famous rock band, the Yellow Sub's presence is only natural. Fully designed to accommodate die-hard fans of The Beatles, the Yellow Sub is what happens when a psychedelic-rock song is taken way too literally.
Inside, you can unsurprisingly find an impressive collection of Beatles memorabilia. As for the hotel's favorite soundtrack, do you really need to ask?
Panda Inn
Pandas may be endangered, but panda love is stronger than ever. If you're into the furry black-and-white bear, you have to visit the Panda Inn. This unique hotel is located in the Chinese city of Emeishan and features 32 rooms entirely devoted to panda-styled decoration and themes.
The Panda Inn is a fun place to spend the night and getting to know more about one of the world's most beloved animals. It also features a delicious restaurant menu, which fortunately serves more than just bamboo.
SiloStay
Famous for its beaches and surfing locations, New Zealand is a dream destination for just about every traveler out there. But if you're looking for the most original way of getting to know the country, you need to check-in at SiloStay. This unique hotel was made in an eco-friendly way and makes use of old grain silos.
Not the prettiest hotel in the world, SiloStay is more than what it seems. It's actually equipped with everything you need to spend a relaxing vacation. You will never look at grain silos in the same way.
The Manor Master Chamber
Are you a fan of horror movies? If so, you cannot miss the Manor Master Chamber in St. Paul, Minnesota. This 130-year-old house is an Airbnb favorite, and it's mainly famous for being the site where a young girl died of typhoid fever in 1908. According to guests and owners, she is still around, haunting the adventurous guests.
Ever since the Manor became available to the public, tourists have been dying for a chance to sleep in the master chamber. If you love somber old houses, creepy rooms, and creaky doors, this is the place for you!
House In The Clouds
In the small English town of Thorpeness, Suffolk, you can visit one of the strangest houses ever designed. Sitting on the top of a 20-meter tall tower, this house is meant to give you a panoramic view of the countryside and to surprise the people passing by.
Even if you don't want to spend the night, the trip is worth it just for getting a chance of looking at this surreal construction. And the hotel's name if just perfect!
Palacio De Sal
Palacio De Sal, which translates as "Salt Palace," is a Bolivian hotel that's entirely made out of salt. It sounds impossible, but it's true. Even the beds are salt-made, and despite all the salt, this unique hotel offers quite a sweet vacation experience.
Since salt is a common theme here, the Palacio De Sal sits right next to the Salar de Uyuni, one of Bolivia's most impressive tourist attractions. The Salar de Uyuni is a salt playa of over 3,900 square miles that provides a breathtaking view and looks like a never-ending white beach.
Hotel Everland
Sadly, the Hotel Everland disappeared in 2009, after three years of traveling through Europe. Traveling? Yes, you read right. This tiny hotel was capable of moving around and acted as a backpacking building.
Not exactly a luxurious resort, the Hotel Everland was an art project that took its creators, Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann, a couple of years to complete. It turns out that a hotel that's always moving around is not the most profitable business, but it still works as a wonderful idea!
The Manta Resort
It's easy to envy the rich and powerful, especially when you learn about their private islands. Having your own private paradise in the middle of the sea sounds like something that's only at the reach of the billionaires of this world. But now, everybody can enjoy a relaxing vacation on a private island.
Well, sort of. The Manta Resort, in the Zanzibar archipelago, is a unique hotel in which guests have access to a private floating island. They get a chance to spend days in the middle of the sea, in a structure that's a mix between a house and a boat.