London - 01 August 2011
Who would not be fascinated to spend a night in a prison cell without having had a run in with the law? How about peacefully sleeping the night in a passenger plane despite your fear of flying? hotel.info, the free online hotel reservation service with more than 210,000 hotels worldwide is now featuring the most unusual hotels. A standard single or double hotel room is not necessarily the only type of accommodation to guarantee a good night's sleep. High tech hotels, an igloo in sub-zero temperatures or a prison cell may prove just as comfortable! Here is a sample of the quirkiest hotels from around the world, where you can experience something a little more unusual.
No air-conditioning but definitely not too hot
Heatwave and no air-conditioning? Guests at the Ice Hotel Canada in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques certainly do not have this problem. The hotel is almost completely constructed from ice and snow as its name suggests. More than 15,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of frozen water were used to build the hotel. There are 36 cool rooms and themed suites to choose from. All the fixtures and fittings in the hotel, including sculptures, the bar and even the furniture, are made from ice and snow. Every year dozens of couples promise their vows in the hotel's very own ice chapel. Ample blankets are provided to keep the frost out and ensure that guests stay cosy.
Take off without a pilot's licence
Flying may not be everyone's cup of tea. For many travellers it is a strange sensation to have no firm base beneath their feet. But even guests who have a fear of flying will find the Jumbo Stay in Arlanda near Stockholm relaxing. Built from an old Boeing 747-212B in 1976, it has a total of 27 hotel rooms, including a luxury suite in the cockpit, showcasing the pilot's view! Guests who have conquered their fear of flying can take off immediately, since the Jumbo Stay hotel is situated conveniently close to the Stockholm-Arlanda airport and transfers its guests punctually to check-in with its own shuttle service.
In prison but still have your freedom?
Escaping from the Jumbo Stay near Stockholm, we go in search of some unique cells in Switzerland. The Jailhotel Löwengraben, in the heart of the old town of Lucerne, certainly has a very special and surprisingly appealing atmosphere. Built in 1862 it was used as a prison up until 1998. Nowadays, those that break-in to the Jail Hotel will no longer find rough walls, cold metal bars and strict warders. Instead there is a large number of room types, that although fitted with comfortable and modern décor, still manage to depict a loss of freedom. The prison warden's old office has been converted into a suite and the former prison library is now a luxurious bedroom to stay the night. Guests staying in the double, three- and four-bed rooms will be comfortable in the redecorated rooms. If you are after the true prison lifestyle experience, then opt for the "Unplugged" cells. These have been left in almost their original condition and offer an overnight experience in the style of Alcatraz.
Why not train elephants?
A truly wild experience is offered by the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa in Chiang Saen, Thailand. The 4-star hotel is deep in the heart of the Golden Triangle Forest, where hotel guests can enjoy the virtually unspoilt surroundings. However it is not only the beautiful environment, the comfort and the numerous wellness facilities offered by the hotel that attract guests. Animal lovers will find a not-so-small surprise with an expedition on one of the local elephants. There is even the opportunity to assist with training the gentle giants.
Open a hotel room using an iPhone
The Blow Up Hall 50/50 in Poznan, a 5-star hotel, is surprising for many reasons including its lack of hotel reception and room numbers. The Blow Up Hall is a venue of interactive and engaging surroundings. Art, luxury and state-of-the-art technology combine to create one surreal experience. The standard room key is replaced with an iPhone with which guests can locate and unlock their booked room. This trendy piece of equipment is the centre point of your stay and serves as a "virtual concierge". Apart from 22 individually decorated rooms, a restaurant and a bar, the hotel has a large collection of artwork. This is definitely not just a destination for iPhone enthusiasts.
Here is a selection of unusual hotels that can be booked through hotel.info*
| Hotel name | City | Number of stars | Special features |
| Anantara Golden Triangle Resort | Chiang Saen (Thailand) | 4 | Up close with elephants |
| Blow Up Hall 50/50 | Poznan (Poland) | 5 | High-Tech meets modern art |
| Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa | Uchisar (Turkey) | 5 | Chiselled from stone |
| Conrad Maldives Rangali Island | Rangali Island (Maldives) | 5 | Situated on Rangali Island with an underwater restaurant |
| Hotel Marques de Riscal | Elciego (Spain) | 5 | In the heart of the Rioja wine region |
| Hotel Palafite | Neuenburg (Switzerland) | 5 | Built on water |
| Ice Hotel Canada | Saint Catherines (Canada) | - | Built from snow and ice |
| Jailhotel | Lucerne (Switzerland) | 2.5 | Experience life behind bars |
| Jumbo Stay | Arlanda/Stockholm (Zweden) | 2.5 | Feel like a pilot overnight |
| Thorngrove Manor Hotel | Stirling (Australia) | 5 | Dream in a baroque wonderland |
*The order is alphabetical