10 Of The Quirkiest Hotels In The World
#6 Capsule Inn – Osaka, Japan
Quirkiness factor: 8/10
If you’re claustrophobic, crawling into a pod-like room to sleep might not be your idea of fun. If you’re a minimalist, however, this Japanese space-saving concept will be at the top of your hotel room bucket list. The Capsule Inn is Japan’s original capsule hotel, created back in 1979 by architect Kisho Kurokawa. Despite its deceivingly small size, each capsule contains enough space for you to have a relaxing night’s rest, catch some TV, or listen to the radio. There’s even a built in sprinkler system, just in case you’re worried you’ll start a fire. Just can’t hack the lack of space? Opt for the ‘wide capsule’, which is slightly bigger in size.
#7 Ice Hotel – Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Quirkiness factor: 9/10
Ever wanted to sleep in an igloo? Go one better and stay in Sweden’s Ice Hotel – an art exhibition cum bespoke hotel made of snow and natural ice from one of Europe’s last wild rivers. Designers and international artists sculpt the entire hotel, with the artwork varying from year to year. Each room is a three-dimensional installation of ice art, carved by hand, right down to the intricate sculpting details found on the doors and bed. The deluxe suites come with heated ensuite bathrooms and saunas, all you need to ward off frostbite and chills. But make sure you visit the hotel in winter, because the hotel melts away by spring.
#8 ELKEP EVi – Cappodocia, Turkey
Quirkiness factor: 7/10
Nestled in the former volcanic hillside of the Turkish town of Urgup, in Cappodocia, hides are a number of caves-turned-hotel rooms belonging to ELKEP EVi. Unlike other ‘cave hotels’, most of the rooms are actually caves dug by locals more than 1000 years ago. Each cave boasts a terrace overlooking the Urgup Valley, as well as a connected bathroom and if you’re lucky, you might even get one with its own private hamam (traditional Turkish bath).
#9 The Old Mount Gambier Gaol – Mount Gambier, South Australia
Quirkiness factor: 8/10
The Old Mount Gambier Gaol in South Australia was, as the name suggests, a prison, which was running up until 1995. Now, it holds a different kind of convicted soul – the travelling backpacker. The ex-prison cells and warden’s offices found on site have now been transformed into single, double and shared rooms, as well as dormitories for those on a convict’s salary. If you’re taken here out of your own free will, you’ll be disheartened to hear that although the doors now lock from the inside rather than out, escape is futile thanks to the gaol’s surrounding stone wall, which is 15-feet high.
#10 Hang Nga Guesthouse – Dalat, Vietnam
Quirkiness factor: 9/10
Architect Dang Viet Nga should be coined Vietnam’s Antoni Gaudi, for his mysterious-looking treehouse creation, the Hang Nga Guesthouse. The hotel, which doubles as a tourist attraction by day, gets its nickname the ‘Crazy House’ for its unique façade and interiors, which were formed using unshaped cubes, planes and a whole lot of curves. Past the walls of the warped tree stump are 10 themed guest rooms hidden within manmade caves, behind giant spider webs, and through fairytale gardens.
(Lead image: Ice Hotel)
