I’ve always believed that where you stay on vacation can be as memorable as the destination itself. A standard hotel room is fine, but sleeping in a treehouse, a glass igloo, or an underwater lodge can transform a good trip into an unforgettable adventure. These unique hotels offer more than a place to rest; they provide an experience. I’ve made it a personal quest to seek out some of the world's most unusual accommodations. This journey has taken me from the snowy landscapes of Finland to the jungles of Costa Rica. I’ve learned that booking these incredible places isn't always as straightforward as a typical hotel search, but the extra effort is always worth it.

Why Choose a Unique Hotel?

Staying in a unique hotel is about creating stories. You’re not simply booking a room, but you’re booking an experience that becomes a central part of your travel memories. These places often have a special connection to their environment, offering a deeper sense of place than a conventional hotel chain. Imagine waking up to the sounds of the rainforest instead of a city street, or watching the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed.

These accommodations force you to step out of your comfort zone and see travel in a new light. They can be the entire reason for a trip. The hotel itself becomes the destination. This shift in perspective makes for a much richer and more immersive travel experience.

My Top Picks for Unique Stays

I've had the privilege of staying in some truly remarkable places. Each one offered a completely different experience, from rustic and wild to sleek and futuristic. These are a few of my absolute favorites that I recommend to anyone looking for an extraordinary getaway.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort - The Glass Igloos (Finland)

Sleeping under the stars takes on a whole new meaning when the Northern Lights are dancing above you. That’s the magic of the glass igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finnish Lapland. Each igloo is a private dome with a glass ceiling, designed to give you an unobstructed view of the aurora borealis.

  • The Experience: Lying in a warm, comfortable bed while watching the green and pink lights flicker across the night sky is surreal. The igloos are surprisingly cozy, even with sub-zero temperatures outside. The resort also offers other activities like husky sledding and reindeer safaris.
  • Best Time to Go: The Northern Lights season runs from late August to late April. For the best chance of seeing them and enjoying a snowy landscape, aim for December through March.
  • How to Book: You can book directly through the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort website. These igloos are incredibly popular, so it’s essential to book many months, sometimes even a year, in advance, especially for peak season dates.

The Manta Resort - The Underwater Room (Tanzania)

Have you ever dreamed of sleeping with the fishes? At The Manta Resort, off Pemba Island in Tanzania, you can do exactly that. The resort features a private floating island with a bedroom submerged four meters beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean.

  • The Experience: The underwater room has large windows on all sides, offering a 360-degree view of the local marine life. By day, you’ll see schools of colorful reef fish. At night, spotlights under the windows attract more nocturnal creatures like squid and octopus. The top decks of the floating structure are perfect for sunbathing and stargazing.
  • What to Know: It’s a truly secluded experience. You are taken out to your private island by boat, and you communicate with the resort staff via a provided cell phone.
  • How to Book: Reservations must be made directly through The Manta Resort's official website. There is only one underwater room, making it one of the most exclusive hotel rooms in the world. You need to plan far ahead to secure a spot.

Finca Bellavista - The Treetop Community (Costa Rica)

For the adventurous at heart, Finca Bellavista in Costa Rica offers the chance to live out your childhood fantasies of having a treehouse. This is not a single treehouse hotel; it’s an entire community of them nestled in the canopy of the rainforest.

  • The Experience: You’ll feel completely immersed in nature. You get to your treehouse via suspension bridges and zip lines. Waking up to the sounds of howler monkeys and toucans is an everyday occurrence. The community is off-the-grid, focused on sustainability and living in harmony with the jungle.
  • Things to Consider: This is a rustic experience. Be prepared for hiking, limited electricity, and lots of wildlife. It's more like glamorous camping (glamping) than a luxury resort.
  • How to Book: You can book various treehouses through the Finca Bellavista website. Each treehouse has a unique design and layout, so browse the options to find one that suits your comfort level and sense of adventure.

Tips for Booking Your Own Unique Stay

Finding and booking these kinds of properties requires a different approach than using a standard hotel search engine. Here’s what I’ve learned.

Think Beyond Standard Search Engines

While sites like Booking.com and Expedia are great, they don't always list the most unusual properties.

  • Go Directly to the Source: Most unique hotels are independently owned and manage their bookings through their own websites. A direct booking often provides more information and sometimes better rates.
  • Use Specialty Sites: Websites like Glamping Hub, Canopy & Stars, and Riparide specialize in unique and nature-based accommodations. They are excellent resources for finding treehouses, yurts, domes, and other unconventional stays.
  • Explore Airbnb: Don't forget to check Airbnb. Many unique properties, from converted airplanes to tiny homes, are listed there. Use filters like "Unique stays" or search for specific terms like "treehouse" or "earthhouse."

Book Well in Advance

The most sought-after unique hotels have limited availability. The Underwater Room and the best glass igloos can be booked out more than a year ahead of time. Start planning as early as possible, especially if your travel dates are not flexible.

Read Reviews and Be Realistic

A photo of a beautiful treehouse might not show the 20-minute hike required to get there or the fact that the bathroom is a separate structure. Read recent reviews carefully to get an honest picture of the experience. Understand what you are signing up for. A rustic, off-grid stay is very different from a luxury resort, and it's important to have the right expectations to fully enjoy it.