The World’s Most Extraordinary Hotels: 12 Places Where Staying Overnight Becomes an Adventure

Imagine falling asleep while tropical fish swim past your bedroom window, waking up to giraffes looking through your breakfast-room windows, or watching the Northern Lights dance above your bed. Around the world, extraordinary hotels are turning the simple act of spending a night somewhere into an unforgettable adventure.

Most holidays follow a familiar pattern. You book a hotel, unpack your suitcase, explore the destination, take photographs and return to your room at the end of the day.

But what if the hotel itself were the adventure?

What if your bedroom floated above a coral reef? What if your morning coffee came with a view of wild giraffes? What if your accommodation were suspended hundreds of metres above a valley, surrounded by mountains, or positioned in one of the most remote landscapes on Earth?

A new kind of luxury travel is built around precisely these experiences. It is not simply about expensive sheets, enormous bathrooms or room-service menus. It is about sleeping somewhere that seems almost impossible.

Some properties have underwater bedrooms. Others offer glass igloos, treetop architecture, ice-carved suites and wilderness camps in landscapes few travellers ever see.

Here are 12 extraordinary hotels and accommodation experiences that redefine what a holiday can look like.

1. The Muraka, Maldives: Sleep Beneath the Indian Ocean

Imagine waking up, opening your eyes and seeing the ocean above you.

AtThe Muraka, part of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, this is not a fantasy. It is the defining feature of an extraordinary two-level residence with a submerged bedroom beneath the Indian Ocean.

The underwater bedroom sits approximately 16 feet below sea level, enclosed by a curved acrylic dome. From the bed, guests can watch marine life moving through the water around them.

The experience is deliberately different from staying in an ordinary overwater villa. Instead of looking out towards the ocean, you become immersed in its underwater world.

Above the surface, the residence offers living and dining spaces, additional bedrooms and an outdoor deck. The underwater suite is only one part of a much larger private luxury residence.

What makes The Muraka particularly fascinating is the contrast between the two environments. One moment you are surrounded by sunlight and tropical island scenery. The next, you descend into a quiet underwater bedroom where fish become your neighbours.

For ocean lovers, it is an extraordinary way to experience the Maldives.

Why it is special:An underwater master bedroom with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

Location:Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives.

2. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland: Watch the Northern Lights From Your Bed

There are few natural spectacles as mesmerising as the Northern Lights.

In Finnish Lapland, the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort offers accommodation designed to bring guests closer to this extraordinary phenomenon.

Its famous glass igloos allow visitors to lie in bed and look towards the Arctic sky through a transparent ceiling.

Outside, the landscape can be covered in snow. Pine forests stand quietly beneath the winter sky, while temperatures can fall dramatically below freezing.

Inside, guests can enjoy the warmth of their accommodation while watching the darkness above.

The experience is especially appealing because it removes the need to stand outside for hours in the cold while hoping for an aurora display.

However, there is one important reality: the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, not a scheduled hotel performance. Cloud cover, solar activity and weather conditions all influence visibility. No resort can guarantee that they will appear during your stay.

The surrounding region also offers winter experiences such as snow activities, reindeer encounters and opportunities to explore Lapland’s distinctive culture.

Why it is special:Glass-roofed accommodation designed for watching the Arctic sky.

Location:Saariselkä, Finnish Lapland.

3. Giraffe Manor, Kenya: Breakfast With Giraffes

Some hotels offer a swimming pool with a view. Giraffe Manor offers something considerably more unusual.

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, Giraffe Manor is famous for its resident and visiting Rothschild’s giraffes, which sometimes stretch their long necks towards the windows during breakfast.

The experience has become one of the most recognisable luxury travel images in the world.

The property is a historic manor surrounded by gardens and woodland. Its architecture, traditional interiors and intimate atmosphere create the impression of staying in a beautiful country estate.

But the giraffes are undoubtedly the stars.

Guests may encounter them while having breakfast, enjoying the gardens or arriving at the property. Their curious behaviour makes the experience particularly memorable.

The giraffes are associated with the conservation work of the nearby Giraffe Centre, which has played an important role in protecting the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe.

It is worth remembering that these are wild animals, not hotel entertainment. Interactions should always follow the property’s animal-welfare guidance.

For anyone who loves wildlife, Giraffe Manor offers a remarkable combination of conservation, hospitality and an experience that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Why it is special:The possibility of sharing breakfast-time views with giraffes.

Location:Nairobi, Kenya.

4. Skylodge Adventure Suites, Peru: A Bedroom Suspended Above a Valley

If you have ever looked at a mountain and wondered what it would feel like to spend the night hanging above the landscape, Skylodge Adventure Suites may be your answer.

Located in Peru’s Sacred Valley, these transparent capsule suites are attached to a steep mountainside.

The accommodation is designed for travellers who want something more adventurous than a conventional luxury hotel.

Getting there is part of the experience. Guests typically reach the capsules using a combination of climbing routes and via ferrata equipment, with the precise access arrangements depending on the package.

Once inside, the reward is extraordinary.

Large transparent sections offer dramatic views of the surrounding valley, mountains and sky. As daylight fades, the landscape changes colour, and the sense of being suspended above the world becomes even more striking.

Dinner and breakfast can be part of the experience, turning what might otherwise be an adrenaline activity into a complete overnight adventure.

This is not the ideal accommodation for someone who dislikes heights. But for adventure travellers, the idea of sleeping inside a transparent capsule attached to a mountain is unforgettable.

Why it is special:Transparent sleeping capsules positioned high above the Sacred Valley.

Location:Sacred Valley, near Cusco, Peru.

5. The Manta Resort, Tanzania: A Bedroom Beneath the Sea

The Indian Ocean has some extraordinary places to stay, but few offer the intimacy of The Manta Resort’s Underwater Room.

Located off Pemba Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, this remarkable floating accommodation places the bedroom below the surface of the ocean.

The structure is arranged across three levels. The upper deck provides space for sunbathing and watching the stars. The middle level contains the lounge and bathroom, while the underwater bedroom offers views through large glass windows.

The submerged bedroom sits several metres below sea level, surrounded by the marine environment of the Pemba Channel.

During daylight, reef fish can be seen moving through the water. At night, underwater lighting can reveal different marine visitors.

Unlike a conventional underwater aquarium, the experience is designed around observing the surrounding reef in its natural setting.

There is also a conservation dimension. The resort describes its Underwater Room as part of a wider effort supporting marine protection and community initiatives in the Pemba Channel Conservation Area.

For travellers who want to experience the ocean without spending every moment in the water, this is an extraordinary proposition.

Why it is special:A floating three-level structure with a submerged bedroom surrounded by marine life.

Location:Pemba Island, Tanzania.

6. Treehotel, Sweden: Sleep Inside Extraordinary Architecture

Deep in the forests of northern Sweden, Treehotel has transformed the idea of a treehouse into something extraordinary.

Rather than building one traditional wooden structure, the property features individually designed rooms suspended among trees.

Each accommodation has its own architectural identity.

One of the most famous is the Mirrorcube, a reflective structure that blends into the surrounding forest. Another is the Bird’s Nest, designed to resemble an enormous nest resting among the branches.

There are also other imaginative designs, including rooms inspired by UFOs and geometric forms.

The contrast between the natural environment and contemporary architecture makes Treehotel especially interesting.

You might spend the day exploring the surrounding forest, watching the changing seasons or experiencing the Arctic landscape. At night, you return to a room that looks like something created by an experimental architecture studio.

Depending on the season, the region can also offer opportunities to experience the Northern Lights, although sightings are never guaranteed.

Treehotel is a reminder that accommodation does not have to follow conventional architectural rules.

Why it is special:Individually designed rooms suspended in a forest setting.

Location:Harads, Swedish Lapland.

7. Icehotel, Sweden: Spend the Night Inside a Work of Art Made From Ice

What if your hotel room disappeared every year?

At the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, this is part of the concept.

The property is famous for its seasonal ice rooms, constructed using ice and snow from the nearby Torne River. Artists and designers create elaborate interiors, turning individual rooms into temporary sculptures.

Some rooms feature intricate carvings, dramatic patterns and imaginative ice installations. The result is less like a conventional hotel and more like sleeping inside an enormous winter art exhibition.

The temperature inside the ice rooms remains below freezing, so guests are provided with specialist sleeping equipment and instructions on how to stay comfortable.

Not everyone needs to sleep on ice, however. Icehotel also offers warmer accommodation options, allowing visitors to experience the artistic environment without spending the entire night in a frozen room.

The seasonal structure is particularly fascinating because the art is temporary. Every winter, a new collection of designs transforms the experience.

Why it is special:Artist-designed accommodation constructed from ice and snow.

Location:Jukkasjärvi, Sweden.

8. Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia: A Hotel With No Ordinary Walls

Some hotels impress through technology. Jade Mountain impresses through architecture and its relationship with nature.

Located on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, this luxury resort overlooks the dramatic Pitons, two volcanic peaks that dominate the landscape.

Its open-wall sanctuary design creates a remarkable relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Many suites feature private infinity pools that appear to merge with the distant sea. The architecture frames the surrounding mountains and ocean like a constantly changing painting.

Instead of traditional enclosed rooms, the design embraces the tropical setting.

The experience is particularly beautiful in the morning, when sunlight moves across the mountains and the Caribbean Sea changes colour.

Jade Mountain is not simply about luxury interiors. It is about making the landscape the centrepiece of the accommodation.

The property is especially popular with couples seeking a secluded escape, although its open architecture may not appeal to travellers who prefer fully enclosed spaces.

Why it is special:Open-wall suites and private infinity pools overlooking the Pitons.

Location:Soufrière, Saint Lucia.

9. Longitude 131°, Australia: Luxury Camping Beside Uluru

Australia’s red centre is one of the country’s most extraordinary landscapes.

Here, enormous desert horizons, ancient geological formations and powerful Indigenous cultural connections create a travel experience unlike almost anywhere else.

Longitude 131° offers a luxury wilderness stay with views towards Uluru, one of Australia’s most recognised natural landmarks.

The accommodation consists of carefully designed luxury tents set among the red desert dunes.

The interiors combine contemporary comfort with the atmosphere of a remote expedition camp. Guests can enjoy fine dining, guided experiences and opportunities to learn about the surrounding landscape.

The real attraction, however, is the view.

Uluru changes colour as the light moves across it. At sunrise, the rock can appear muted and shadowed. As the day progresses, its surface becomes warmer and more vivid.

At sunset, the surrounding desert takes on an extraordinary palette of reds and oranges.

The experience also offers an opportunity to understand the cultural significance of Uluru to the Anangu Traditional Owners. Responsible visitors should follow local guidance, respect restricted areas and avoid treating sacred places simply as photographic backdrops.

Why it is special:Luxury desert accommodation with views towards Uluru.

Location:Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park region, Northern Territory, Australia.

10. Ladera Resort, Saint Lucia: Wake Up to the Caribbean Without a Wall

Another extraordinary property overlooking Saint Lucia’s famous Pitons is Ladera Resort.

Its architecture is based on the idea of bringing the outdoors into the accommodation.

The resort’s signature open-wall suites allow guests to experience the tropical landscape without the conventional separation between a hotel room and its surroundings.

Imagine waking up to a view of the mountains, with the Caribbean Sea stretching into the distance.

Some suites feature private pools, while the resort’s elevated position creates dramatic perspectives across the volcanic landscape.

The atmosphere is romantic and relaxed, with an emphasis on natural beauty rather than urban-style luxury.

The open design is a defining part of the experience, but it also means that guests should understand the layout before booking. Travellers who need fully enclosed accommodation or prefer conventional air-conditioned interiors may find a different property more suitable.

Why it is special:Open-air suite design with spectacular Pitons views.

Location:Soufrière, Saint Lucia.

11. White Desert, Antarctica: A Luxury Camp at the End of the World

There are luxury hotels, there are remote lodges, and then there is Antarctica.

White Desert operates extraordinary expedition camps in the Antarctic interior, including Whichaway Camp.

The setting is unlike almost any other travel destination. Instead of beaches, cities or forests, guests encounter enormous ice formations, exposed rock, glaciers and vast polar landscapes.

Whichaway Camp features heated accommodation pods with private bathrooms, designed to provide comfort in one of the world’s most extreme environments.

The camp sits in an unusual ice-free oasis, surrounded by a landscape of glaciers and freshwater lakes.

The experience is not simply about staying somewhere remote. It is about exploring Antarctica through carefully organised expeditions.

Depending on the itinerary and conditions, activities may include guided walks, wildlife encounters and other specialist polar experiences.

Travel here is highly controlled by weather, logistics and environmental requirements. It is also an exceptionally expensive and complicated journey compared with conventional holidays.

But for travellers who want to experience a place that remains beyond the reach of ordinary tourism, Antarctica offers something extraordinary.

Why it is special:Heated luxury expedition accommodation in the Antarctic wilderness.

Location:Antarctica, Whichaway Camp.

12. Aman Tokyo, Japan: A Different Kind of Extraordinary

Not every extraordinary hotel needs to be suspended over an ocean or hidden inside a forest.

Sometimes the most remarkable experience comes from a building that changes how you see a city.

Aman Tokyo offers a striking example of contemporary Japanese-inspired luxury.

Located high above the streets of Tokyo, the hotel combines expansive interiors, carefully considered materials and a design language influenced by traditional Japanese architecture.

The rooms offer dramatic city views, while the interiors use natural textures, understated colours and generous open spaces.

The experience is built around contrast.

Outside, Tokyo is energetic, crowded and constantly moving. Inside, the hotel creates a quieter environment that feels removed from the city’s intensity.

Its large public spaces and carefully designed rooms make it particularly interesting for travellers who appreciate architecture, design and refined hospitality.

Aman Tokyo may not offer an underwater bedroom or a night beneath the stars in Antarctica, but it demonstrates that extraordinary accommodation can also be about atmosphere, proportion and thoughtful design.

Why it is special:A serene, design-led luxury retreat high above one of the world’s busiest cities.

Location:Otemachi, Tokyo, Japan.

What Makes These Hotels So Extraordinary?

Looking at these properties together reveals something interesting about modern luxury travel.

The definition of luxury is changing.

For decades, luxury hotels competed through familiar features: larger suites, expensive furnishings, elaborate restaurants, private pools and personalised service.

Those things still matter. But travellers increasingly seek experiences that cannot be recreated at home.

A bedroom beneath the sea offers something different from a bedroom overlooking the sea. A glass igloo provides a different relationship with the Arctic sky. A room suspended above a valley turns the journey to bed into an adventure.

There are several reasons these properties stand out.

1. They Make the Location Part of the Room

At ordinary hotels, the room is often separate from the destination.

At these properties, the destination becomes part of the accommodation itself.

The ocean surrounds the underwater bedroom at The Muraka. The forest becomes part of the architecture at Treehotel. At Jade Mountain, the Pitons become the central visual feature of the suite.

2. They Offer Experiences That Cannot Be Easily Repeated

A luxury hotel room can be beautiful, but the experience may be difficult to distinguish from another property.

Sleeping inside an ice room, watching marine life through an underwater window or staying in an Antarctic camp creates a memory that is much more specific.

3. Architecture Becomes Part of the Adventure

These hotels demonstrate how imaginative architecture can change the experience of travel.

Transparent capsules, mirrored structures, open-wall suites and sculpted ice rooms challenge the idea of what a hotel should look like.

4. They Connect Travel With Nature

Many of the world’s most extraordinary stays are built around natural environments.

But this also creates responsibility. Coral reefs, forests, glaciers and wildlife habitats are fragile. Exceptional travel should not come at the expense of the places that make it special.

Travellers should look for credible conservation practices, respect wildlife boundaries and understand the environmental impact of reaching remote destinations.

Which Extraordinary Hotel Should You Choose?

The right property depends on what kind of adventure you want.

Things to Know Before Booking an Extraordinary Hotel

A spectacular photograph does not always tell the full story. Some of these properties require careful planning.

Check seasonal availability:Icehotel’s seasonal ice rooms, Arctic experiences and some wilderness camps operate according to specific seasons.

Understand the access requirements:Skylodge requires an adventurous approach to reaching its mountain accommodation. It is not a conventional hotel arrival.

Consider the climate:Antarctica, Arctic Finland and the Australian desert require very different clothing and preparation.

Check what is included:Remote properties may include meals and guided experiences, while transfers, specialist excursions and additional activities may cost extra.

Understand accessibility:Suspended capsules, stairs, ladders and remote locations may not suit every traveller.

Respect the environment:Choose responsible wildlife experiences and follow local conservation rules.

Book through verified channels:Use official hotel websites or reputable travel operators, especially for remote and high-value stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the world’s most extraordinary underwater hotel room?

The Muraka at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and the Underwater Room at The Manta Resort in Tanzania are two remarkable examples. Both allow guests to sleep below sea level while observing marine life.

2. Where can you sleep in a glass igloo and watch the Northern Lights?

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finnish Lapland is famous for its glass igloo accommodation. Aurora sightings depend on weather and solar activity.

3. Which hotel lets you have breakfast with giraffes?

Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya, is famous for encounters with Rothschild’s giraffes around its breakfast and dining areas.

4. Can you really sleep inside an ice hotel?

Yes. Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, offers seasonal ice rooms constructed using ice and snow. Guests receive specialist sleeping equipment.

5. Which hotel is best for adventure lovers?

Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru is a particularly unusual option because guests access transparent capsules attached to a mountainside.

6. Is it possible to stay in a luxury camp in Antarctica?

Yes. White Desert operates specialist Antarctic expedition camps, including Whichaway Camp. Access is highly seasonal and subject to strict logistical and weather conditions.

7. Are extraordinary hotels suitable for families?

Some are, but not all. Suspended mountain capsules, underwater rooms and remote polar camps may have age, safety or accessibility restrictions. Always check the property’s current policies.

8. Are these hotels worth their high prices?

That depends on what you value. If you want a conventional comfortable holiday, a standard luxury resort may offer better value. If you value unusual architecture, remote landscapes and rare experiences, these properties offer something quite different.

The Real SHEE Power Takeaway

Some journeys are remembered for the cities we explored, the food we tasted and the people we met.

Others are remembered because of the extraordinary place where we woke up.

Imagine watching fish glide past your bedroom, seeing giraffes outside your breakfast window, or falling asleep beneath a sky filled with Arctic stars.

These hotels remind us that travel is not always about going somewhere new. Sometimes it is about experiencing the world from a completely different perspective.

And perhaps the greatest luxury is not having the biggest hotel room or the most expensive view.

It is waking up somewhere you never thought you could sleep.