In the mood for a vacation that’s unique, strange or a even a bit bizarre? Check out these not-to-missed options: 
Perched near the Arctic Circle in Sweden, the Ice Hotel is, as you might guess, a hotel made of ice. Several room options are available, from “cold room” options that include sleeping on actual blocks of ice (brr!) or reindeer skins to the “warm room” options with designs that look like they’re ripped out of an IKEA catalog. Choose the cold room and you’ll be warmed in the morning by a delivery of hot lingonberry juice, welcome respite after the 5 degree night.
White Cliffs Hotel
White Cliffs in New South Wales will put you up in an underground hotel carved out as opal mines. The room rental includes a free tour of the mine and an unforgettable stay in Australia’s outback. Photo courtesy Gourmettraveler.
Cappadocia Cave Suites
Weird but also wonderful are the Cappadocia Cave Suites in Turkey, carved during Hittite, Byzantine and Roman days, but now used as lodging. Your ancient room, nestled among caves used as places of worship, includes wifi and an espresso machine.
Dog Bark Park Inn
Right here in the USA in Cottonwood, Idaho, is the Dog Bark Park Inn which is in the shape of a gigantic beagle. Enter the body of the dog through a private deck, then check out your spacious room, which comes with homemade pastries and granola. The hotel’s website includes this incredible quote from former guests: “Our girls had a fabulous time in the dog’s head.”
Tree House Lodge in Costa Rica
In case you like a more aerie like environment we recommend a tree house in Costa Rica.
Skye Lighthouse is now a hotel
Some prefer the sound of crashing waves and beach access. In that case check into the Skye Lighthouse, in Scotland. Photo courtesy of Jon & Allison.
Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas
If you prefer more action, nightlife and well, gambling then Las Vegas offers all sorts of strange hotels, with the most wierd and my favorite– the Luxor. It is so American to think we can replicate the pyramids.
Genting Highlands Hotel in Kuala Lumpur
Or if you just want more than just a little local color, go to Kuala Lumpur for a rainbow-like stay. I think it looks like a child’s painting, full of whimsy. Photo courtesy of CLF.
Marques de Riscal
I also love the flowing lines this luxury Starwood Resort in Elciego, Spain. The architect is of course, Frank O. Gehry. He is never dull. Photo courtesy of whomsie.
Underwater Hotel in Itanbul, Turkey (under construction)
And finally, we return to the sea, with an underwater hotel, slated to be finished in 2010, but don’t hold your breath.
Want even more weird hotels? Read the “More Weird Hotels” follow-up post.
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26 Responses
The ice hotel does look great! I’d stay there if I could sub in hot chocolate instead of hot lingonberry juice.
iwalk–what hotel with an interesting history do you like best?
As someone who is continually cold, the ice hotel sounds like a night in hell. However, the treehouse hotel in Costa Rica would be awesome!!
Lunchbox Obsesseds last blog post..Lunchbox Banana Saver
I think that the costarica tree houses are actually from Turkey
I’ve been to the Skye lighthouse and they neglect to mention the 400-500 feet stairs, and 3/4-1 mile walk from the bottom of the stairs to the lighthouse. However it is a very very beautiful location.
Ottawa Canada has a hostel in an old prison where you sleep in the cells. It has an execution room in the top floor.
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the underwater hotel is awsome
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the underwater hotel is beautiful already,am holding my breath to see the finished result
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GRAN MELIA CANCUN, Mexico, you want to know about another weird hotel? check this one out! This hotel has reputation in trapping guests and get them to sign up for timeshare. Public must be alert not to fall in their trap. If they would offer something in return for tens of thousands of dollar they would charge would have been ok! But nothing once in the trap. Almost even smallest motel has a jacuzzi or Whirlpool, but the one at Gran Melia Cancun the bubbling water outside is ice cold. We have pain almost 10,000.00 dollars and every ear 480.00 fees and trap / locked ourselves in this hotel. Public must be informed to watch out. North Americans are most vulnerable because they have the money, and they are honest. Once they sign the contract and get your money, you become a 3rd class citizen at Gran Melia Cancun. They came up with a new gimic called SolMelia club which is on point ‘all inclusive’ system. Watch out folks, don’t fall for this one either. DO NOT lock yourself in these traps, ultimatley you may lose more money than planned to save and feel ownership! We checked out the hotels near this one and found out that as good looking this is, you don’t get your money’s worth. To us ‘weird’ has different meaning, yes the look is important, but how friendly are they, how much can you their people, how comfortable are we going to be for a week or two we are there?
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We are an enormous fan! Appreciate your sharing posting this
there are some great tree house cabins in Oregon…google it, and watch the videos. awesome place…nice people
http://www.treehouses.com/
there, did it for ya!
amazing hotels !I’d like to go to piramide some day, does anybody know how much it is?
I mos def want to stay in the Caves in Turkey. They look crazy!
Woah I want to stay there! The Turkey one is ridiculous!
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These strange hotels are great, but they sure come with a high price. I would rather stay in one of the weird hotels then a national chain though. My favorite places to stay are the boutique hotels because they have a lot of unique personality to them.
Underground hotel is amazing
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