The Weirdest Hotels in the World

While there are many hotels that deserve at least an honorable mention as ‘weirdest in the world,’ like the Iglu-Dorf “igloo villages” of Andorra, Germany and Switzerland, the Hang Nga Guest House and Art Gallery in Vietnam, the Cappadocia Cave Suites of Turkey, the Dog Bark Park Inn in Idaho, and the Tree Houses Hotel of Costa Rica, lodging guests in an ice sculpture or putting rooms in the top of a tree is no longer enough of a stretch to satiate the world’s most extreme travelers.  Guests instead are looking for not only truly unique décor, but truly unique experiences in their weird accommodations.  To get away from it all, and indeed away from reality, try a night or two in some of these weirdest hotels in the world!

On any list of weird hotels, each individual room of the Propeller Island City Lodge in Berlin could easily make the cut.  Slightly gothic and certainly bizarre, guests can choose from a room with giant lion cages, the upside-down room where the furniture hangs from the ceiling, a room where the suspended bed is fully adjustable…vertically via a pulley system, a jail cell room with a wall that guests are encouraged to literally “break out” through, and even a room featuring slumber-ready vampire coffins; just to name a few.  All this and a top Berlin location make Propeller Island the hotel of some guests’ dreams and almost certainly others’ nightmares.      

While dozing off in church may generally be frowned upon, the Pendragon Hall Heritage Church in Hobart takes the radical stance that a good night’s sleep should be encouraged within its walls.  Guests are given lots of options from sleeping right at the end of the nave in the master bed, to staying in the studio apartment under the main church facility.  Built in 1852, Pendragon Hall is heralded for its fantastic historical architecture, ambiance and outstanding acoustics.  While the ‘bed & breakfast’ option may encourage guests to lounge around sunning under the master bed’s stained glass windows all day, featured art pieces like the Mosaic of the Last Supper from Westminster Abbey will help encourage the avoidance of sloth… freeing guests up to enjoy nearby Tasmanian attractions. 

For those who have ever wondered what the life of a Soviet-era military prisoner in Latvia was really like, the wait is finally over- just head to the Karostas Cietums former detention facility for the full experience.  An authentic threadbare mattress, Soviet prison toilet seat and running water (cold only) are all included in the price of a night’s stay.  Keep in mind, however, that authentic verbal abuse and bed checks by the ‘guards’ will cost a little bit extra.  Guests may also participate in tours of the grounds, or visit the museum.

Once escape pods designed to assist in quick evacuations from oil rigs, now guests can spend the night in one of these bright orange floating ‘hotel rooms’ in the waters of the Hague.  Those afraid of confined spaces might want to shy away from these compact accommodations that offer a variety of packages from the ‘basic survival’ package’s sleeping bag, bread and water, to a James Bond nod complete with disco ball just like in The Spy Who Loved Me.  Be careful when booking, since the pods have been known to change locations. 

While some of the latest underwater resorts to come out of places like Dubai keep pushing back their opening dates, the Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida has been fully operational since 1986.  Located at the bottom of the Emerald Lagoon, guests enjoy their stay in this former underwater research habitat with amenities like hot water, air-conditioning, a fully stocked galley and a television with VCR and DVD.  Adding to the authenticity, the only way to get to this underwater hotel is by actually scuba diving! 

While in White Cliffs, New South Wales, Australia, beat the heat by heading underground at PJ’s Underground Bed and Breakfast.  Originally carved as opal mines in the heart of the Australian Outback, today the subterranean caverns serve as guest rooms and even an underground cottage complete with full kitchen.  It doesn’t get better than PJ’s for Outback hospitality, as service with a smile and freshly prepared breakfast including homemade jams and juices are complimentary. 

On the outskirts of Amsterdam guests can enjoy a night hanging high above Harlingen in the Harbour Crane.  Once used to unload timber, in 2003 the crane was converted into a cozy airborne nest for two.  Guests are free to man the controls for a little extra lift, or head to the large roof patio for unprecedented views.