Traveling used to be about booking a room at the Holiday Inn. Things have changed quite a bit since those days. Now, the hotel you stay at is part of the experience. We’ve compiled a list of hotels that understand the importance of providing an incredible experience and make sure it’s one you remember for the rest of your life.
Laucala Island Resort, Fiji If you have a taste for luxury, this one’s for you. Laucala Island is a private resort. It has 25 private villas and was meant to resemble traditional Fijian homes with just a bit of glamour. In the middle of the island is beautiful Nawi Mountain, which is completely surrounded by rainforest and offers an incredible view of the sea. Are you an animal lover? What if the animal was stealing your food? If that’s not a problem, then check out this next hotel.
Giraffe Manor is a boutique hotel in Nairobi. It was designed to resemble a 1930s safari. The gardens and courtyards give the building a feel of elegance. But the true sight to see at the manor is its residents. Guests at the manor receive visits from the Rothschild giraffes, who peek in the windows, hoping for a little snack You’d think that you wouldn’t be able to go inland scuba diving, but this hotel says differently.
Even though the guest rooms at this resort, located in Midway, Utah, are warm and welcoming, they aren’t the centerpiece of this resort. In the resort, is Homestead Crater, a geothermal spring with a 55-foot tall limestone rock. Guests can use this space to go swimming, snorkeling, scuba-diving, and even some paddle-board yoga. If you enjoy nature, but also enjoy having modern comforts, then you’ll fall in love with this next hotel.
This boutique resort was built with the purpose of sustainability. The property has four two-story villas, complete with furnishings made of local materials by the local craftspeople. The walls are made out of glass allowing the villas an incredible view of the water. The rooms have features of luxury including iPods with playlists for every mood and high-pressure showers. This next hotel is the perfect place for snow bunnies.
Located among the Swiss Alps in Adelboden, is the perfect hotel for snow lovers. During the day, guests can cruise down the snowy slopes of the Bernese Oberland, and then later that evening, have a relaxing dinner, or swim, with a view of the hillsides. And to top it all off, guests can have a dip in the hot pool that overlooks the snow-capped mountains. Ever wish you could just sleep with the fish? Check out this next hotel.
On Pemba Island, located off the east coast of Africa, is the Manta Resort. The magnificent hotel provides guests with serenity and interactions with nature. The main attraction of Manta Resort is the Underwater Room. The room is exactly what you’d think it would be: a small cabin that floats, with a lower deck 13 feet below the surface, allowing fish to watch as you sleep. Unless you like sleeping in the cold, you should pass on the next hotel.
In the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle, is the Icehotel. Every year, using water from the nearby Torne River, massive structures are made in different designs and styles. Not only does the resort offer warm cabins, they also offer fun activities such as skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobile. During the summer, they offer cycling and rafting. You’ve never seen a swimming experience like the one this next hotel offers.
According to Conde Nast, this beautiful resort in Ubud has been described as having the “World’s Best Swimming Pool.” It was also rated number one by TripAdvisor. It’s pretty obvious why. You can’t help but feel like you’re floating above the treetops when you’re suspended above the rainforest. Using traditional materials, the villas were build using the principles of feng shui. Have you ever imagined what it would be like to sleep in a snow globe?
The family that built this hotel wanted their guests to have the experience of sleeping outdoors without having to worry about insects or bad weather. With that in mind, they created the bubble hotel. They created the bubbles entirely out of recyclable materials, but the best part is that they only require 55 watts of power! The next hotel is straight out of the pages of a fairy tale.
In the middle of the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, located in the southern Andes, is a boutique hotel that was literally built inside of the mountain. Its magic comes from the incredible waterfall flowing from its peak. Exciting activities such as rafting, hiking, and horseback riding are offered to the guests. If you’re into restaurants with a view, you should check out this next one.
On Rangali Island is a breathtaking luxury resort that offers a large selection of villas each with an amazing view of the Maldive waters. But what makes the hotel such a unique experience is the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the winner of many hospitality awards. While eating 16 feet below the surface, guests are provided with a 180-degree view of the corals. The food is just as incredible. You won’t like this next hotel if heights frighten you.
Built 1,000 feet above the Caribbean Sea on a volcano ridge, is the only resort ever located on a UNESCO World Heritage site. In each suite is an “open wall,” which allows guests to experience the stunning views. Not only were the structures built using only locally harvested materials, but furniture was made by St. Lucian artists. The next hotel offers the perfect experience for viewing the Northern Lights.
This just might be the perfect place to enjoy a romantic trip. The glass igloos, that look just like bubbles, are perfect for lovers who want to enjoy the majestic Northern Lights in complete comfort. The resort also has bigger cabins for larger groups, and igloos with a glass/wood combination. Rooms can be reserved every year from August to April. If you didn’t love the Mediterranean before, you will now.
This resort and hotel perfectly captures the romantic spirit of Santorini. Guests are able to enjoy the peace and quiet provided by the Mediterranean, while staying in the classically white-washed stone villas. It’s pretty hard to beat the crystal-clear waters of the pool and sea, and the unbelievable views of the sunset. Even though this next hotel is still under construction, you should probably book a room anyways.
Settled on the stony outcrop above the Adriatic Sea is the Italian village of Polignano a Mare. A series of caverns were carved into the limestone by the sea, the biggest of the caverns is Grotta Palazzese. Inside of the grotto, during the 1700s, Italian nobles held banquets. Now, Summer Cave Restaurant calls the caverns home and a luxury five-star hotel is in the works.