Living There
Usually Airport Bed and Breakfasts pride themselves on giving their guests a warm, hospitable and comfortable stay before their flight. But where are you staying once you arrive in your destination? We take a look at some of the world’s most unique and, sometimes, strange hotels and hotel rooms you could be staying in once you’ve left on your trip.
First up is the truly breathtaking Kakslauttannen Igloo Village in Finland. When you check in at Kakslauttannen, you will be shown to your very own glass domed igloo, where you can lie in bed watching the unforgettable aurora borealis overhead. Aside from the obvious pleasure of the experience, these lovely, heated igloos will keep you warm and snug, no matter how cold it gets outside.
For our next visit, we head to Vancouver in Canada, out into the wilderness of Vancouver Island. High in the forest canopy, you will find three suspended, wooden, spherical treehouses named Melody, Eve and Eryn. Accessed via rope ladders, once inside you will experience a tranquility and sense of oneness with nature, as your capsule gently sways with the movements of the trees.
From one forest to another. In Southern Chile’s Huilo Huilo Reserve, is the Magic Mountain Lodge. A conical shaped hotel with a waterfall at its tip, that sends cascades of water tumbling down over the moss-covered outer walls and windows relentlessly. Whilst this might exacerbate matters for anyone with a weak bladder, the setting, the interiors and the sheer awesomeness of Magic Mountain make it one of our favourite places for a truly unconventional holiday.
If you’re taking a trip to Puerto Rico, and your budget allows it, stay at the incredible Hix Island. Set in the middle of a butterfly reserve, your extensive balcony will overlook a bioluminescent bay, where plankton, stimulated by the gentle motion of the waves against the shore, glow in the darkness of the humid, tropical night.
In Kenya, on the other hand, far from the tiny plankton and fluttering butterflies of Puerto Rico, you can share your accommodation with elegant Rothschild giraffes, at the aptly named Giraffe Manor. Sometimes the cheeky, long-necked lovelies poke their head through the windows whilst you’re eating breakfast and gobble up your fruit salad!
Whilst most of our choices so far have focussed on getting away from it all and enjoying the natural wonders of the world, there are some hotels that are more of a treat from the inside. Take the Seven Hotel in Paris, for instance. Its suites are all uniquely designed, and feature such delights as levitating beds, with a simulated night sky twinkling overhead, and a 007 Suite which is perfect if you’re looking to treat a serious James Bond fan.
Designer fanatics will go weak at the knees for Milan’s Moschino Hotel, designed by the prestigious fashion label itself. From rice paper poodles in the foyer, to quirky décor in the rooms, this luxury hotel is the stuff of fashionistas’ dreams. Their Moskit breakfast is even served in a gorgeous little porcelain box, making you feel a little like a trendy Alice in Wonderland.
It’s not all glamour in the world of kooky hotels, though. Take the Old Mount Gambier Gaol, for instance. A former prison, closed in 1995, it is now a sought-after hotel, with the only difference from its previous incarnation being where they put the locks (i.e. on the inside of the doors).
If these incredible hotels have whet your appetite for accommodation with a twist, then these are just the tip of the iceberg. All around the world, mind-blowing, original hotels are springing up all the time to meet the demands of the ever more adventurous tourist. However you choose to spend your holiday, you can still, nonetheless, be assured of a reliable, quality bed back home, here at Rosemead.
