Tourist accommodation is a massive global industry, and you’ll spot ads for the “best hotels” everywhere you look—whether you’re scrolling on a laptop or flipping through TV channels. Most travelers chase the familiar comforts: reliable Wi‑Fi, a hearty breakfast, maybe a pool or spa. But for the truly curious wanderer, there’s a whole world of out‑of‑the‑ordinary lodging that flips the script on what a hotel can be. In this guide we spotlight 10 unusual hotels that turn a simple night’s stay into a story worth retelling.
Why 10 Unusual Hotels Capture Travelers’ Imagination
From literary hideaways to gravity‑defying crane suites, each of these properties offers a one‑of‑a‑kind experience that goes far beyond the standard room‑service checklist. Whether you’re a bookworm, a thrill‑seeker, or someone who simply loves a good Instagram moment, these 10 unusual hotels promise unforgettable memories.
10 Sleep In A Bookshelf
Many of us cherish the ritual of curling up with a good book before drifting off to dreamland. In Tokyo, that ritual becomes literal: guests can actually nestle inside a towering bookshelf for the night.
The inaugural “Book and Bed” opened its doors in Ikebukuro back in 2015, offering a quiet, off‑beat lodging option that quickly won over night‑owls and bibliophiles alike. Its popularity sparked a rapid expansion, and today six locations across Japan let travelers wander among massive shelves, pick a favorite title, and then slip into a snug “shelf” bunk for a night of reading.
Each private bunk is framed by sturdy plywood bookshelves and comes with only the essentials—basic bedding and a modest reading nook. The largest cubbyholes measure a modest 1.8 × 1.2 meters (about 6 ft × 4 ft), guaranteeing you’ll truly be “curling up” with your chosen story as the lights go out.
9 Sleep In A Toadstool Or Tree Stump
Imagine drifting off in the heart of a fairy‑tale clearing, surrounded by oversized mushrooms and gnarly tree stumps. That whimsical vision comes to life at Sweden’s Norrqvarn Hotel, perched beside the Gota Canal.
A talented chainsaw artist sculpted the quirky cabins from a blend of wood, concrete, and plywood, fashioning rooms that look straight out of a children’s storybook. Red‑spotted toadstools and weathered tree stumps serve as alternative guest quarters, each offering a playful nod to woodland fantasy.
Inside, the cabins are surprisingly comfortable, boasting enough space to accommodate up to four guests. Given Sweden’s brisk winters, these mushroom‑shaped retreats shine brightest during the warmer months, when the outdoor charm can be fully enjoyed.
8 Faralda Crane Hotel
Looking for a stay that mixes hospitality with a dash of adrenaline? In Amsterdam‑Noord, a decommissioned 45‑meter‑tall crane has been reborn as a boutique hotel, complete with a bungee‑jumping platform at its summit.
The towering crane now houses three sleek suites, each accessed via a glass‑enclosed elevator that offers panoramic city views. The very top of the structure features a private Jacuzzi and a dedicated bungee‑jumping spot, letting guests plunge into the sky after a night of luxury.
Although its industrial origins are evident, the crane now exudes high‑end elegance. Guests can even operate the crane’s swing mechanism for a personalized panoramic spin—just be prepared for a gentle sway in the wind as you take in Amsterdam’s skyline.
7 Hang Nga Guesthouse
At first glance, the Hang Nga Guesthouse in Da Lat, Vietnam, resembles something out of a nightmarish illustration. Inside, however, the design channels the whimsical spirit of “Alice in Wonderland” and other beloved children’s tales.
Locally known as the “Crazy House,” the guesthouse was imagined by a Vietnamese architect who wanted a surreal, tree‑like structure. From the outside it mimics a gnarled, ancient tree; step inside and you’ll discover a forest of spiraling staircases, winding bridges, and a maze‑like layout that feels like walking through an Escher drawing.
6 Silo Stay
From a distance, the sleek, cylindrical towers outside Christchurch, New Zealand, look like abandoned grain silos—hardly the sort of place you’d expect to find a comfy bed. Yet these shiny silos have been ingeniously transformed into award‑winning, eco‑friendly accommodation.
Each silo offers a ground‑floor living area complete with a kitchen, while the upper level houses a cozy bedroom and bathroom. The silo’s hatch opens up to reveal a star‑filled sky from the comfort of your bed, and the clever design also provides natural cooling during warmer months.
5 Sleep In A UFO
Science‑fiction lovers and curious travelers alike can now spend a night inside a UFO‑shaped haven. One such out‑of‑this‑world stay is a converted shipping container in Wales, rescued from the London Olympics and reborn as the “Spodonic’s” UFO‑themed Airbnb.
The interior boasts space‑suit décor, LED lighting, and an otherworldly ambience that makes you feel like you’ve landed on an alien planet. This isn’t the only option, however—Sweden also offers UFO‑styled rooms alongside bird‑nest and giant bauble accommodations, while a Chinese “UFOtel” lets guests enjoy underwater views from a partially submerged vessel.
4 Tree Pods In Cornwall
If you’re not squeamish about a little altitude, the Lost Meadow Tree Pods in Cornwall, UK, provide a charming, elevated retreat. These bauble‑shaped pods are suspended roughly three meters (about ten feet) above the forest floor.
The pods blend glamping comfort with a touch of early‑airship design. While a conventional bed awaits inside, the kitchen and bathroom facilities sit on the ground below. Inside each pod, a wood‑burner keeps you warm, and a movable wall panel lets you swing open to soak in forest vistas or greet the sunrise.
3 Dog Bark Park Inn
We all know the phrase “sleeping in the doghouse,” but the Dog Bark Park Inn in Central Idaho takes that idiom to a literal, larger‑than‑life level. The two‑story B‑B is fashioned in the shape of a massive beagle, affectionately nicknamed “Sweet Willy” by locals.
Crafted by a wood‑carving duo famous for their canine sculptures, the inn embraces a full‑on dog theme—from bone‑shaped biscuits served at breakfast to the wag‑tail décor throughout. The upper floor, perched atop the beagle’s snout, offers sweeping views of the surrounding Idaho landscape.
2 Volcano Hotel
Deep within Chile’s lush rainforests lies a man‑made volcano that feels straight out of a Tolkien novel. The Montana Magica Lodge, affectionately dubbed the “Volcano Hotel,” is cloaked in vines and features a dramatic water‑spout that mimics an erupting geyser.
The conical structure, while artificial, is completely covered in vegetation, with tiny gabled windows peeking out between the foliage. Guests can unwind in tree‑stump hot tubs, and a nearby rainforest golf course adds a playful twist to the natural setting.
1 Book A Sandcastle
Many of us spent childhood summers building sandcastles on beaches, dreaming of living inside those whimsical fortresses. In the Netherlands, you can now turn that day‑dream into reality by booking a stay in one of two meticulously crafted sandcastles.
These temporary sand structures, originally erected for an annual sandcastle‑making festival in the inland towns of Oss and Sneek, are reconstructed each summer. Each castle boasts elaborate turrets, moats, and sculpted sand walls that have been treated to resist crumbling. Inside, rooms are adorned with sand sculptures, while rugs line the floors to keep your feet sand‑free.
Lesley Connor, a retired Australian newspaper editor turned travel writer, shares these dreamy accommodations on her blog, inviting wanderers to relive their seaside fantasies without ever getting sand in their sheets.