6-2 The World’s Top 10 Most Unusual Hotels

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10. Hotel Silken Puerta America: Madrid, Spain

This is a futuristic hotel in the Spanish capital which has been designed by world-renowned architects and artists. Nineteen different groups from thirteen different countries designed each of the twelve floors to be unique in colour, material, and shape.

The hotel boasts its own MAD Restaurant on the mezzanine which has an outstanding breakfast buffet. Downstairs, Restaurante Lagrimas Negras indulges with its own stylish atmosphere and massive wine selection. Meanwhile, the hotel’s two bars offer similarly trendy environments. On the top floor, the gym is located half a floor above and behind the SkyNight Bar. As you soak in the indoor pool, you can soak up the impressive view of the city and all of the architectural design detail you forgot about from the night before.

Upon check-in, you choose one of a dozen unique rooms to stay in. From a Ron Arad-designed Space Odyssey capsule, to a blacked-out zen cave penciled by Arata Isozaki. You will be surprised by some of the features: circular beds and black toilet paper are not unheard of. Each room has a fantastic view of the city, and has more than just the modern amenities. Flat-screen TV? Check. Free internet? Check. Pre-programmed mood lighting? Check. Iridescent curtains? Check.

A common theme throughout the building, though, is the open concept. What this means is that you won’t find one shower curtain in the place, and on some floors, it’s not an issue watching your flat-screen from anywhere in your room.

The multilingual staff are helpful, friendly, and eager to please. You expect most of this from a 5-star hotel, but at the Silken Puerta America, no room is the same!

9. Blow Up Hall 5050: Poland

Welcome to Blow Up Hall 5050, an art hotel halfway between Berlin and Warsaw where the rooms are so distinctive, they choose you.

The brainchild of a local electronic artist, Blow Up Hall is less of a hotel than an inhabitable piece of interactive art. When you make your reservation, you'll be presented with three pictures, three colours and three numbers. Choose one of each and, depending on your spirit, you'll either find yourself in a zebra-striped lounge, a sterile-white space pod or a relatively conventional king-sized suite.

Oh, and did we mention that you're being filmed at all times? Video feeds from around the hotel get chopped up for an interactive collage in the main lobby—thankfully, scrambled enough to keep your nighttime behaviour secret. And naturally, you'll get a pre-loaded iPhone tuned to turn on a TV screen outside your room.

The rest of the amenities will all be at your fingertips, including wi-fi, a freshly pressed change of clothing, and a "breakfast experience" (hopefully it involves food).

When you visited the 5050, you may feel that you are surrounded by the comforts of the 51st century!

8. Kolarbyn Eco Lodge: Sweden

At STF Kolarbyn neither electricity nor running water disturb your wilderness experience. Here you can happily fall asleep in front of the crackling fireplace and awake to beautiful bird song.

Silence, wilderness and exciting outdoor experiences are located just a few hours from the hustle and bustle of big city life.

The hostel is a collection of twelve charcoal-burner huts located in the middle of a spruce forest. There are two bunks in each for sheepskins and sleeping bags, so each cozy hut can sleep four guests. All the huts have a wood heated stove and use wood chopped by the guests themselves. Blueberries can be picked right off the roof of the hut.

Close by there are endless possibilities for enjoying outdoor life, including splendid fishing lakes, barbecues and hiking trails. The environmentally friendly hostel has been built from natural materials, and a percentage of the revenue coming into STF Kolarbyn goes straight to a range of projects that support preservation of the environment and historic places of interest.

A visit to the hostel will be an exciting and enjoyable nature experience for young and old.

7. Thorngrove Manor: Australia

From futuristic to natural to royal, number seven is the Thorngrove Manor in Adelaide, Australia. When planning a honeymoon vacation, this romantic setting is one of the first destinations a happy couple should consider.

The hotel’s beautiful architecture and first-class amenities make it an ideal spot for couples searching for a perfect fantasy escape. It is nothing short of an extraordinary place to honeymoon, and is sure to delight the senses and create wonderful memories.

Consider one of Thorngrove Lodge’s more delightful offers: the fairytale tower escape. To quote the lodge’s site: “Ever since Rapunzel let down her hair and damsels were rescued from castles, towers have been a symbol of romance.” This beautiful honeymoon package offers a one-night stay in the observatory suite, complete with a view of Adelaide and complimentary champagne.

First and foremost is the luxury of privacy. It is possible to stay at Thorngrove in complete solitude, without once seeing the other guests. For young lovers out on their first time away together, this is a treasure beyond compare.

There are rooms of every sort, ranging from King-sized chambers to loft suites in the tower, with furnishings done in tasteful and rich antiques. The hotel has all of the amenities that a guest could ask for.

Indeed, when it comes to building the ultimate romantic getaway fantasy for a honeymoon vacation, Thorngrove Lodge is sure to rank tops on anyone’s list.

6. The Boot Hotel: New Zealand

It starts getting unusual from here on: sleep inside a boot in New Zealand. Your experience will be enhanced by the beautiful green surroundings and countryside lifestyle.

When Steve and partner Judy first created The Boot in 2001 they were considered slightly crazy, but after several years of happy visitors they are rightly taking their place as local celebrities and contributing to the tapestry of attractions and folklore of this inspiring region.

Creating a giant boot guesthouse on a 6 acre property is perhaps the genius of an eccentric, and rather than convert an existing building, Steve Richards designed The Boot himself.

With curved walls and ceilings, everything had to be custom fitted into carefully planned spaces. The result is an unusual, romantic hideaway - in the shape of a giant boot!

5. Dog Bark Park Inn: USA

Come to Cottonwood, Idaho! Whereas many might not have heard about Cottonwood, their most famous Beagle has been featured on news shows, magazines, and blogs all over the world. The famous B&B takes the “pet-friendly hotel” term to a new level.

Dog Bark Park Inn is a bed & breakfast guesthouse inside the World's Biggest Beagle.

Guests can find the entrance to the body of the beagle on a private 2nd storey deck. Some of the dog's decorative furnishings are carvings by Dog Bark Park chainsaw artists Dennis & Frances. The gift shop boasts many of these wooden souvenirs.

Inside and up another level to the head of the dog is a loft room with additional sleeping space plus a cozy alcove in the muzzle.

4. Museumotel: France

The Museumotel in Raon-l'Etape, France may be your perfect vacation destination. Its nine freestanding "bubble" bungalows, completed in 1968, still exude the pop-art atmosphere of the psychedelic years.

The "bubbles" are futuristic in the best 1960s comic-book way — they look as though they might lift off for space at any moment. They were designed by architect Pascal Haüsermann, who proposed his unique "bubble" architecture as an urban planning solution. The freestanding homes were conceived of as a "village", or annex, a short walk from the main lodge of the hotel, not a separate location. The Motel de l'Eau Vive, as it was then called, became a popular destination for a few years before psychedelic pop fell out of fashion. The motel was eventually sold and fell into disrepair. Its current owner bought it in 2007 and reopened it after extensive renovations.

The Museumotel's "bubbles" vary in size and can hold between 2 to 5 people. The interior decor is awesomely retro. A few of the rooms swirl with the neon-coloured, pop-art patterns that so inspired the set design for the Austin Powers movies. Other rooms feature murals that veer toward cheesy — such as the moon and peace signs — but that work well in their environment. And since the hotel is located on a island in the middle of a river, you can just unplug, stick a few flowers in your hair, and chill out completely.

3. Hotel de Glace: Canada

To begin our top 3 is the Hotel de Glace in Quebec City, Canada. The beautiful and unusual property is one of the few actual ice hotels and the only one of its kind in North America.

Located only 10 minutes from downtown Québec City, the hotel is a must-see attraction to discover. The Hôtel de Glace has seduced over half a million people around the world since its opening in 2001. With its huge snow vaults and its crystalline ice sculptures, the Hôtel de Glace impresses with its dazzling decor.

Work gets under way for the upcoming season every June, when the hotel has, at last, melted and made its way into the St. Lawrence River. The upcoming season opens in early January.

2. Anantara Golden Triangle: Thailand

Some hotels captivate our sense of curiosity thanks to their unusual architecture, and others interest us because of their beauty and magnificence. Being located in the beautiful Golden Triangle should be enough to make the Anantara Hotel stand out but coupled with amazing structures and unique experiences, this resort provides the perfect balance between uniqueness and luxury.

Explore the enchanting world of elephants at Asia’s premier Elephant Camp, as you set out on a once in a lifetime journey with Anantara Golden Triangle’s ultimate Discovery Experience.

Situated in northern Thailand’s lush jungle and boasting breathtaking panoramas of Myanmar and Laos, Anantara’s hilltop Chiang Rai resort offers unforgettable adventures with indulgent all-inclusive benefits, featuring gourmet dining and enriching daily activities.

Make friends with our gentle giants as you learn to drive your very own elephant and trek through vivid jungle landscapes. Watch the babies of our herd playing and witness the river bath time. Master the art of Thai Cuisine at the Lanna Cooking School. Rejuvenate with a luxurious Anantara Spa experience. Embark on a mesmerising three country tour exploring the ancient traditions of the colourful hill tribe culture and visit the Opium Museum located opposite the resort.

1. Karosta Prison: Latvia

*Drumrolls* And the world’s most amazing and unusual hotel is… the Karosta Prison! This former KGB prison has been previously described as a hell on earth. Nobody knows exactly what went down behind the walls of the former Soviet penitentiary, but the cast of the US Television Show “Ghosthunters International” called it the site with the most paranormal activity in the world. Sound scary? It sure does to us! Some people have gathered the courage to spend the night in the prison and most have interesting stories to tell. Would you be brave enough to give it a try?

If you love the opportunity to experience unusual accommodations, the Karosta Prison will appeal to you. Prison bunks and a prison meal await guests who overnight at Karosta. Reservations must be made by telephone or via email. A night's stay is also included in some of the special programs on offer.

Guided tours are available to visitors, including a surprise tour. Special programs include an interactive show based upon the real lives of prisoners, an "extreme night," and a full 24 hours at the prison. Special programs require visitors to sign an agreement before participating. In addition to agreeing to respect the property of the prison, participants must be aware that they "may receive insulting instructions and orders which must be carried out without objection. In case of disobedience prisoners may be punished (physical exercise, cleaning works, exclusion from the Show)."

From haunted prisons to romantic and luxurious getaways, this list not only provides the most unique, unusual and amazing hotels in the world but also some of the best. If you were to stay in each of these hotels, you’d be able to experience everything from being treated like a prisoner to being treated like royalty.

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