15 Bizarre Hotels Around the World That Will Blow Your Mind

Have you ever stayed in a bizzare hotel? Any unique or quirky getaway? If not, here are some amazing ideas to add to your bucketlist.

If you’re tired of beige rooms and predictable minibars, buckle up. Here’s a tour of the world’s strangest hotels — from icy caves to salt palaces, giraffe breakfasts to robot check-ins.

1. Icehotel — Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Every winter, in a tiny Swedish village above the Arctic Circle, artists gather to carve the world’s first ice hotel out of snow and blocks of ice from the Torne River. Each year is completely unique — new themes, new designs, and new rooms, ranging from ethereal ice chandeliers to entire suites that look like frozen fairytales.

The catch? It all melts come spring, only to be rebuilt again the next winter. Staying here isn’t just about shivering under reindeer hides — it’s about sleeping in a piece of art that literally won’t exist a few months later. They even have an ice chapel, so if you’re dreaming of a “cool” wedding, this is it. Psst… Book early! The ice chapel weddings sell out fast.

Best time to go: December–March (before it melts)

Cost: Around $300–$700 per night depending on the suit

Click here to book a chilly night at the ice hotel. 

2. Costa Verde 727 Fuselage Hotel — Costa Rica

How about checking into a Boeing 727 that crash-landed in the jungle? At Costa Verde, near Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica, you can actually stay inside a retired 1965 airplane that’s been given the ultimate second life. The jet was hauled into the rainforest and rebuilt into a two-bedroom luxury suite. Now it rests high on a 50-foot pedestal, with sweeping decks that look straight out over the jungle canopy and the Pacific Ocean. The owners wanted to turn an old aircraft into something unforgettable, and they nailed it — it’s a mix of quirky design, sustainability, and just pure travel magic.

Best time to go: December to April for sunny skies and dry weather (ideal for beaches and wildlife spotting).
Cost: Around $260–$350 per night depending on the season.

Click here to book Costa Verde at lowest rates. 

3. Capsule Hotels — Japan

If you’re claustrophobic, this might be your personal nightmare. If you’re a minimalist traveler, it’s genius. Capsule hotels in Japan offer tiny, coffin-like sleeping pods stacked side by side. Each pod has just enough space for a bed, a reading light, and maybe a little TV.

The concept started in Osaka in the late 1970s as a cheap, no-frills solution for salarymen who missed the last train home. Today, capsule hotels have gone high-tech — some are ultra-modern with neon lighting, while others lean into futuristic “space pod” vibes.

They might not be luxurious, but they’re practical, affordable, and honestly kind of fun to try at least once.

Best time to go: Common in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto

Cost: $20–$50 per night

Click here to try a capsule hotel. 

4. La Balade des Gnomes — Durbuy, Belgium

Ever wondered what it’s like to sleep inside a fairy tale? At La Balade des Gnomes, near Belgium’s tiniest city, Durbuy, each room is a whimsical world of its own. From moon landscapes to giant wooden horses, every corner is hand-crafted by local artists. The attention to detail is incredible — expect quirky furniture, hidden passageways, and playful surprises that make you feel like a character in a storybook.

Why here? The hotel celebrates imagination and creativity, turning a simple overnight stay into an experience you’ll remember forever. It’s perfect for families, couples, or anyone who loves escaping the ordinary — and the surrounding Ardennes forest only adds to the magical vibe.

Best time to visit: Spring to early autumn (April–September), when the Ardennes are lush and outdoor fairy-tale paths are at their prettiest.
Cost: Around €150–€200 per night depending on the room and season.

Click here to book the cute La Balade des Gnomes. 

5. Palacio de Sal — Bolivia

On the edge of the otherworldly Uyuni Salt Flats sits a hotel made almost entirely of… salt. Walls, ceilings, furniture, even the beds are carved from giant blocks of salt.

The idea started as a way to use the abundant natural resource of the region, and it turned into one of the quirkiest stays in South America. Don’t worry, it’s not crumbly — licking the walls is technically possible, but not recommended.

Best time to visit: April–October (dry season for salt flat tours)

Cost: Around $150–$200 per night

Click here to book Palacio De Sal

6. Free Spirit Spheres — Vancouver Island, Canada

Imagine sleeping inside a giant glowing orb suspended between trees in a Canadian rainforest. That’s Free Spirit Spheres. Guests climb rope bridges to reach their round, UFO-like wooden pods swaying gently with the wind. They’re cozy, eco-friendly, and look like something out of a fantasy novel. Bring snacks; dining is self-catered.

The creators wanted to merge architecture with nature — giving you the sense of floating in the treetops without ever leaving your sleeping bag.

Best time to visit: Open year-round, but magical in summer

Cost: $200–$400 per night

7. Giraffe Manor — Nairobi, Kenya

This one is less weird and more magical. At Giraffe Manor, Rothschild giraffes casually stroll up to your breakfast table and poke their heads through the windows, hoping for a snack.

Built in the 1930s as a stately manor house, the property later became a sanctuary for endangered giraffes. Now it’s both luxury hotel and conservation project — where sharing your toast with a giraffe is just another Tuesday morning.

Best time to visit: Year-round, though June–September is peak safari season

Cost: Around $600–$1,500 per night (all-inclusive)

8. Skylodge Adventure Suites — Sacred Valley, Peru

Ever thought of dangling off a cliff for the night? Skylodge takes “room with a view” to another level — literally. Transparent pods are bolted to the side of a 400-meter-high cliff, accessible only by climbing or zipline.

The reward? Falling asleep with stars above, the Sacred Valley below, and adrenaline still rushing through your veins. The pods are surprisingly cozy, with beds, bathrooms, and 300-degree glass walls. It’s part hotel, part daredevil experience.

Best time to visit: May–September (dry season)

Cost: Around $400 per night (includes meals, gear, and guides)

Click here to book sky lodge adventure suites. 

9. V8 Hotel — Stuttgart, Germany

For car fanatics, this is paradise. The V8 Hotel is entirely themed around automobiles, with beds shaped like vintage cars, car wash-style showers, and decor that screams motorhead heaven.

Why Stuttgart? It’s the birthplace of both Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, so celebrating car culture here makes perfect sense. Each room is a tribute to automotive history, making it less hotel, more love letter to wheels.

Best time to visit: Open year-round

Cost: €120–€300 per night

Click here to book V8 Hotel.

10. The Marmara Antalya — Turkey

Sure, rotating restaurants exist, but how about an entire rotating hotel building? The Marmara Antalya in Turkey has a floating building that slowly spins, giving every guest room panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

The engineering behind it is wild — the structure literally floats in a pool of water and rotates with tiny motors. Guests don’t even feel the movement, but wake up to a new view every time they look out the window.

Best time to visit: Open year-round. Book a rotating room — not all sections of the hotel spin.

Cost: $150–$400 per night

Click here to book the lovely Marmara Antalya

11. The Witchery — Edinburgh, Scotland

Want to feel like you’ve stepped straight into a gothic fairytale? The Witchery, nestled at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, offers some of the city’s most opulent, theatrical suites. Think four-poster beds, rich velvet drapes, candlelit dining rooms, and hidden nooks that whisper stories of centuries past. Every room is unique, brimming with antique furnishings, dramatic artwork, and a mysterious atmosphere that makes you feel like a protagonist in a historical thriller.

Why here? Built in the 16th century on the site of the city’s old merchant houses, The Witchery embraces Edinburgh’s history and dark charm. It’s perfect for travelers who love a mix of romance, luxury, and a touch of the macabre — plus, it’s just steps from Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town’s cobbled streets.

Best time to visit: Spring (April–June) or autumn (September–October) for fewer tourists and crisp, atmospheric walks through the city.
Cost: Around £300–£600 per night depending on the suite and season.

Click here to book the Witchery 

12. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort — Finland

This one’s for dreamers. In Finland, glass igloos let you sleep under the northern lights without ever stepping outside. Each igloo has thermal glass walls and ceilings, keeping the inside warm and frost-free while you gaze at the glowing sky.

The resort was built to give visitors the perfect way to witness the aurora borealis without freezing — and it’s become one of the most iconic bucket-list stays in the Arctic.

Best time to visit: August–April (for aurora season) Stay at least 3 nights for a better chance at catching the aurora.

Cost: €400–€1,000 per night depending on igloo type

Click to book the Kakslauttanen Arctic resort to enjoy this magical glass igloo Aurora experience. 

13. Sun Cruise Resort — South Korea

Ever wanted to stay on a cruise ship… without setting sail? Sun Cruise Resort is a massive ship-shaped hotel perched on a cliff in Jeongdongjin.

It was designed for people who wanted the cruise ship vibe without the seasickness. Inside, you’ll find luxury cabins, porthole-style windows, and even a rotating sky lounge. The view? Endless ocean — but no chance of getting seasick.

Best time to visit: Open all year. Visit at sunrise — Jeongdongjin is famous for dawn views.

Cost: $100–$300 per night

Click here to book sun cruise resort at lowest rates. 

14. Treehotel — Harads, Sweden

Treehouse dreams go next-level here. Treehotel offers a handful of bizarre treetop rooms — a giant mirrored cube that disappears into the forest, a UFO-shaped pod, a bird’s nest room covered in branches, and more.

Each was designed by a different architect, blending whimsy with eco-design. Staying here feels like stepping into a childhood fantasy — just way more stylish.

Best time to visit:: Year-round (snowy magic in winter, lush green in summer). Each room is unique — book based on design, not just dates.

Cost: €500–€1,000 per night

Click here to book the Treehotel. 

15. Henn-na Hotel — Japan

Why hire human staff when you can have robots? The Henn-na Hotel, which literally means “Weird Hotel,” is staffed by robotic dinosaurs at check-in, robot porters, and even robotic cleaners.

It was created as a futuristic experiment in hospitality — to see how far automation could go in the hotel industry. Guests rave about the novelty, even if sometimes the robots… well, malfunction.

Best time to visit: Open all year. Multiple locations across Japan

Cost: $80–$150 per night

Click here to book the Henn na Hotel Tokyo 

So, are you ready to book? Here’s some tips:

Unusual hotels often come with unusual rules — so a little prep goes a long way.

• Seasonality matters. Ice hotels like Sweden’s ICEHOTEL or Canada’s Hôtel de Glace exist only during the winter months. Book outside the season and you’ll just find water.
• Plan ahead. Many of these hotels are small, unique properties that sell out quickly. Reservations months in advance are the norm.
• Check facilities. A capsule hotel in Tokyo may not offer luggage storage; a desert cave stay might not have strong Wi-Fi. Know what’s included so you’re not disappointed.
• Budget accordingly. Some “weird” hotels are surprisingly affordable (capsule pods, hostel-style treehouses), while others — like underwater suites — are once-in-a-lifetime splurges.
• Pack smart. For ice or cave hotels, thermal clothing is a must. For treetop or desert lodges, bring insect repellent and power banks.

FAQs

Are these hotels safe?
Yes, they’re licensed businesses like any other hotel, just with unusual themes. If anything, many of them prioritize safety because of their unusual structures (e.g., igloos, caves, underwater rooms).

Do they have normal amenities?
Depends on the property. A luxury ice hotel may have fine dining and spa facilities, while a sewage pipe hotel is deliberately minimalist. Always check the booking details.

Are they family-friendly?
Many are! Treehouses, igloos, and even some ice hotels welcome kids. But coffin hotels or capsule pods may not be ideal for families.

How expensive are they?
It varies hugely. Capsule hotels can be under $20 a night, while underwater suites in the Maldives can run thousands. Expect to pay for the novelty factor.

Why do these hotels exist?
Some are cultural (like capsule hotels in Japan, designed for efficiency). Others are artistic projects (like sewage pipe hotels in Austria). And some are just about standing out in a crowded tourism market.

So this was our curation of top bizzare hotels in the world. Would you try any?