These days, staying in a hotel isn’t just about having a place to sleep for the night – it’s an experience in itself.
Sleep tourism is a rising global trend today and hotel brands are paying attention. Many are now offering services beyond the fancy “pillow menus”, adding all-round wellness experiences that encourage relaxation and a good night’s slumber.
But there are also travellers who look for something extra, perhaps something truly unique – and not just to create content for social media! – that will be treasured and remembered for a long time. These kinds of hotels are not commonly found, but they’re not exactly rare either.
Here are a handful of them from around the world.
Frying Pan Tower (United States)
Known as the “world’s most dangerous” hotel, the Frying Pan Tower is located in the middle of the ocean, 50km from the shores of the North Carolina coast. Constructed in the 1940s (based on the US National Park Service official website, though other sources say it was built in 1964) as a lighthouse, it is only accessible by boat or helicopter.
The tower guided ships through the treacherous waters of the Frying Pan Shoals, one of the three sites that make up the “Graveyard Of The Atlantic”, so-called because of the many shipwrecks in the area.
The tower was decommissioned in the 1990s. In 2010, a businessman by the name of Richard Neal bought the tower from the US government.
In 2016, Neal stayed at the tower for six months, fixing up the place. It was then that he decided he would try to restore the structure.
Today, the “high-tech marine conservation station, rescue outpost, and eco-adventure lodge”, as described by a website, is one of the most interesting accommodations you can stay in the US.
Bivacco Gervasutti (Italy)
Perched precariously on the edge of a cliff, Bivacco Gervasutti is a sight to behold. In Italian, “bivacco” refers to a temporary shelter, and that’s what you will find here. The property is located 2,835m above sea level on the Frebouze Glacier in the Italy side of the Mont Blanc.
While its futuristic appearance might suggest it is new, the shelter has a long history dating back nearly 80 years. It was originally a wooden hut established to honour an alpine climber named Giusto Gervasutti.
In 2011 local architects gave the cabin a makeover, turning it into the unique accommodation it is today.
Staying in the cabin, which can accommodate up to 11 guests, gives you a spectacular view of Mont Blanc.
Harlingen Harbour Crane (Netherlands)
In the Netherlands, there is an interesting accommodation experience that gives you control over the scenery – literally.
In the past, workers have had to climb ladders to access the Harlingen Harbour Crane, which stands at 17m. After its transformation into a hotel, two lifts were installed to take guests directly to the entrance.
The crane welcomes guests with a living area that was once the engine room, while a small staircase leads to the control cabin.
Here’s where the real charm of the hotel lies, as this is where guests would be able to “operate” the crane. If you’re bored of the city view while staying here, you can easily rotate the crane from this control cabin and get a view of the Wadden Sea instead.
Originally a shipyard crane used between 1967 and 1996, it was repurposed as a lofty hideout in 2003 for travellers looking for a one-of-a-kind lodging experience.
While you are in Harlingen, learn more about the city’s rich nautical heritage as it is one of Netherlands’ oldest seaports.
Crazy House (Vietnam)
Did you know there is a guesthouse in Da Lat, a mountain resort town in Vietnam, that looks like it emerged from the pages of a fantasy book?
The Crazy House, also known as Hang Nga Guesthouse, is situated a short distance from the Da Lat Train Station. It has attracted many visitors with its whimsical charms since opening its doors in 1990.
Designed by architect Dang Viet Nga, who was said to have expressed her vision for the guesthouse through a series of paintings, the hotel resembles a colossal tree entwined with gnarled roots.
And if you think the facade is wild, just wait till you step inside.
This complex is bursting with vibrant colours and sculptures, making it look so dream-like. As you venture inside, you will feel as though you’re walking in tunnels or caves because of the way the hallways and staircases were designed.
Each room carries the theme of an animal or a plant, like tigers, eagles, kangaroos and ants.
SiloStay (New Zealand)
If you are seeking an eco-friendly lodging option, consider staying in a repurposed grain silo in New Zealand.
Nestled in stunning natural surroundings, SiloStay is the passion project of Stuart Wright-Stow (and his design team), established in 2011.
These large industrial steel structures were originally used to store grains before being converted into stylish “apartments” that include a kitchen, a living space, and a bedroom.
Another cool feature of the space is its glazed roof, allowing natural light to pour in during the day while revealing a starry sky at night.
With only a handful of silo accommodations worldwide, a stay here is truly a unique experience.
Null Stern (Switzerland)
This project carries the same name as the Swiss concept artists Frank and Patrick Riklin’s Null Stern hotel that opened in 2008, but we’re talking about a different Null Stern. The twin brothers’ earlier Null Stern project that was converted from a nuclear bunker, was turned into a museum in 2010.
What we’re talking about is a “newer” Null Stern, which started off as an art installation in 2016. The brothers collaborated with Swiss hotelier Daniel Charbonnier to introduce the novel concept of letting hotel guests literally sleep under the stars, where the cosmos is the ceiling.
Translating to “zero star” in German, Null Stern features no walls or ceiling/roof; just a bed and the breathtaking Swiss vistas. Guests also get a butler, a local resident assigned to help out whenever needed.
The open-air experience encourages guests to connect with nature and appreciate their surroundings.
Since its debut, the company has expanded its concept hotel to several locations in Swit-zerland and even Liechtenstein.
The “rooms” are not just set in picturesque spots (including a vineyard and on a hillside), but also other locations like a petrol station! This last one is described as an “anti-idyllic suite”, as opposed to an “idyllic suite”.
The petrol station room does not encourage a restful slumber. Instead, it is designed to keep the guests constantly in a state of semi-awake, to ponder on worldly matters like climate change.
Deep Sleep (Wales)
Now, if you want a truly “deep sleep”, there is a Victorian slate mine in Wales that offers exactly that. Located 400m beneath the mountains in the Eyri National Park, the Deep Sleep hotel offers an unusual overnight stay in log cabins tucked deep within the mine’s cavernous chambers.
Getting there, however, is not a walk in the park. You would have to embark on a two-hour guided trek through the mine, navigating steep routes, flooded chambers, ziplines and bridges.
Just reading about it is exhausting, so imagine how well you’ll sleep after the journey.
While the underground hotel provides WiFi, there’s no phone signal in the abandoned mine, which ceased operations in the late 1940s.
For several decades, the mine remained in a state of disuse, until it was transformed into a hotel that some websites and publications bill as the “world’s deepest accommodation”.
