Staycations are now a trend. Travellers long for unique experiences without leaving the comfort of their accommodations. This laid-back alternative to the norm appears to be a great solution to minimize the environmental impacts of tourism while saving more in the process. Falling under the category of slow tourism, the concept of unique places to stay allows individuals to appreciate the present, discover nearby landscapes, reconnect, and spend more time outdoors in nature with the people close to their hearts. With that said, here is a list of unique and inspiring hotels and resorts that promotes just that.
4 Rivers Floating Lodge | Unique Places to Stay
This stunning accommodation offers a breathtaking experience suited for staycations. Tethered together by decks, the 12 luxurious tented villas float securely in calm waters. A common building is situated in its centre to greet guests and visitors. Expanding like a V-form are two bridges connecting both wings of the resort. Each of these villas offers panoramic vistas framing verdant banks that envelop the development. Appreciating the embrace of nature is a truly relaxing experience that this place has to offer.
Address: Koh Kong, Cambodia
Rate: From 170USD/night for 2 persons
Unique Feature: Floating Lodges
Website: https://www.secret-retreats.com/hotels/cambodia/koh-kong/4-rivers-floating-lodge
Hotel Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
A magical experience awaits in this winter wonderland. Kakslauttanen is one of the world’s best places to experience the northern lights and midnight sun. The Aurora season lasts from late August until the end of April. The Glass Igloos include a toilet for two-person accommodation; a separate building is intended for the saunas and showers. In addition, the four-person igloos include their own toilet and shower for convenience.
Address: Saariselka, Finland
Rate: 224-2,300 (USD) for Standard Room / 535-3,838 (USD) for Suite
Unique Feature: Glass Igloos
Website: https://www.kakslauttanen.fi/
The Ice Hotel | Unique Places to Stay
A must-visit attraction in Sweden. The Icehotel is the world’s first-ever hotel was built out of snow and ice. It is constructed on the empty space on the riverbank with brand-new art sculptures to experience from December to April. Snow and cold weather lovers would truly be mesmerized by the wonder of this frozen kingdom.
Address: Northern Sweden
Rate: 990-1,650 USD/night
Unique Feature: Hand-sculpted Ice Hotel
Website: https://www.icehotel.com/
These are just a few bucket lists to experience a truly one-of-a-kind staycation. And a lot more undiscovered paradises are there for the taking. As long as one has the urge to explore and the willingness to have fun, anywhere could be a great place for a staycation. Keep that flame alive.
El Nido de Quetzalcóatl
The El Nido de Quetzalcoatl is a masterpiece created by Mexican architect Javier Senosiain. Here, he introduced organic architecture by creating a building inspired by a snake. The ten-home project was built on rugged terrain with minimal disturbance on the site. The hotel displays a magnificently beautiful and striking façade filled with festive colors that add up to a playful atmosphere. Since the room accommodations are situated on the psychedelic snake’s curved body, none of the floor plans are similar. All are uniquely planned so as to provide a good vista in every room. The rest of the spaces are for the amenities like hidden indoor gardens lit by the sun shining through the stained glasses of the dome, outdoor space-age toilets, reflecting pools, and even slides – suited for adults who want to reconnect with their inner child.
Address: Naucalpan, State of Mexico
Rate: about 385 USD/night
Unique Feature: Psychedelic Snake Building / Organic Architecture
Website: https://www.parquequetzalcoatl.com/
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar | Unique Places to Stay
As if frozen in time, this heritage resort displays strong Spanish colonial architecture. The buildings in the resort are ancestral houses that came from different parts of the country. These are then assembled and strategically arranged on the location. This cultural leisure park highlights this symbolic Bahay na Bato style along with a unique beach-going experience. The resort establishes a nostalgic sense that displays a glimpse of the country’s past.
Address: Bagac, Bataan, Philippines
Rate: about 130 USD/night
Unique Feature: Heritage resort along the beach
Website: https://www.lascasasfilipinas.com/
Desert Whisper
The Desert Whisper offers an intimate desert getaway in a remote capsule made for two. Construction materials such as rounded metal frames and inner wooden construction effectively allow the structure to blend into its surroundings. The accommodation includes a terrace, a fully equipped kitchen, a fancy bathroom fitted with a glass shower cubicle, a portable fire pit, sun loungers, a sofa, and an inviting bed – providing luxury amidst the wilderness.
Address: Gondwana Namib Park, Namibia, Africa
Rate: about 586 USD/night
Unique Feature: Desert Capsule
Website: https://www.sossusvlei.org/accommodation/desert-whisper/
Giraffe Manor
Owned by The Safari Collection, Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel that has Giraffes on its property. Considered one of the most Instagrammed properties in the world, the hotel is set on 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. Every morning, a herd of Rothschild’s giraffes usually greets the visitors of the hotel.
Address: Nairobi, Kenya, Africa
Rate: about 965 USD/night
Unique Feature: Herd of Rothschild’s Giraffes
Website: https://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor/
Explora Torres Del Paine, Chile | Unique Places to Stay
Located within Chilean Patagonia, this one-of-a-kind destination offers the most intense and dramatic landscapes on the planet. The place truly gives a magical atmosphere with iconic lodge architecture that compliments the scenery. Guests are then provided with the best accommodations and facilities suited for a luxurious stay. In addition, different activities are also offered among visitors. A few include trekking and horseback riding amidst mountains, turquoise lakes, glaciers, lenga tree forests, and prairies and rivers.
Address: Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Rate: about 1,140 USD/night
Unique Feature: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve / Dramatic Landscapes
Website: https://www.explora.com/torres-del-paine-explora-lodge/
Entre Cielos Luxury Wine Hotel & Spa, Argentina
This luxurious accommodation displays a stunning contemporary style of architecture. Surrounded by the best Malbec vineyards, it is sure to be a romantic getaway for honeymooners. It also offers beauty treatments, massages, and wine therapy.
Address: Guardia Vieja 1998, M5509 Vistalba, Mendoza, Argentina
Rate: about 439 USD/night
Unique Feature: Wine Hotel and Vinotherapy Treatments
Website: http://www.entrecielos.com/hotels/mendoza/spa-hamam
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge | Unique Places to Stay
The twenty-five glamping canvas tents sit on the Bedwell Sound inlet. Each of these accommodations has large decks overlooking a small river where wildlife is part of the experience. A luxurious finish is expected on each of the tents including comfortable and plush beds, couches and tables, and ambient lighting. Communal facilities like the hot tub decks, the Ivanhoe Bar, the social tents with a pool table, and the outdoor patios and lounges. It also offers unlimited adventure activities such as horseback riding, canyon and waterfall jumping, paddling, whale watching, biking, and rainforest hiking, plus gourmet meals and wine pairings.
Address: Bedwell River Valley, Alberni-Clayoquot C, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada
Rate: about 8,660 USD/min. of 3 nights (2,165 USD/night)
Unique Feature: Luxury Glamping Resort
Website: https://clayoquotwildernesslodge.com/
References:
Ker & Downey – A World Of Difference. (n.d.). 4 Rivers Floating Lodge. [online] Available at: https://kerdowney.com/destinations/cambodia/koh-kong/4-rivers-floating-lodge/ [Accessed 22 Nov. 2022].
Montejo, A. de G. (2014). QUICK GUIDE: Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Heritage Resort, Bataan. [online] Philippine Beach Guide. Available at: https://www.philippinebeaches.org/travel-guide-las-casas-filipinas-de-acuzar-heritage-resort-bataan/ [Accessed 22 Nov. 2022].
uniqhotels.com. (n.d.). Desert Whisper – All Alone In The Namib Desert. [online] Available at: https://www.uniqhotels.com/desert-whisper#video [Accessed 22 Nov. 2022].
Foster, G. (2020). The Unique & Famous Giraffe Manor in Nairobi Kenya. [online] Tailormade Africa. Available at: https://www.tailormadeafrica.com/stories/the-unique-famous-giraffe-manor-in-nairobi-kenya [Accessed 22 Nov. 2022].
Lewis, R. (n.d.). Explora Torres Del Paine – Salto Chico Hotel 2022/23 – Rainforest Cruises. [online] Available at: https://www.rainforestcruises.com/lodges/explora-torres-del-paine-chile [Accessed 23 Nov. 2022].
www.sothys.ca. (n.d.). Entre Cielos Luxury Wine Hotel & Spa | Sothys. [online] Available at: https://www.sothys.ca/en/spas/argentina/entre-cielos-luxury-wine-hotel-spa [Accessed 23 Nov. 2022].
uniqhotels.com. (n.d.). El Nido de Quetzalcóatl – Surreal Organic Architecture In Mexico. [online] Available at: https://www.uniqhotels.com/el-nido-de-quetzalcoatl [Accessed 23 Nov. 2022].
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. (n.d.). Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge | Luxury Vancouver Island Resort. [online] Available at: https://clayoquotwildernesslodge.com/ [Accessed 23 Nov. 2022].
Kakslauttanen. (n.d.). Kakslauttanen glass igloos. [online] Available at: https://www.kakslauttanen.fi/accommodation/glass-igloos/ [Accessed 24 Nov. 2022].
Goji , C. & (n.d.). ICEHOTEL in Sweden | Highlights 2022. [online] 50 Degrees North. Available at: https://www.fiftydegreesnorth.com/eu/info-centre/icehotel-sweden [Accessed 24 Nov. 2022].
