Often for travelers, finding lodging accommodations is one of the more tedious parts of planning the perfect vacation. For many, the hotel is simply a place to rest between excursions; an obligatory step in the process rather than an enjoyable one.
Fortunately, not every hotel fits this unexciting mold. Extreme hotels can be found all over the world, from the treetops of Sweden to the ocean floor near Key Largo. Whether these hotels stand out because of their size, shape, or amenities, each unique hotel offers something exceptional for visitors. Combining color, unique architecture, and natural inspiration, these 10 hotels offer an experience as thrilling as the vacation itself.
The following hotels were selected based on their extreme qualities, including appearance, size, location, and capacity. All accommodations offer a competitive level of comfort for their guests, with many being booked out months in advance. Ranked as some of the most unique hotels in the world, these extreme locations have been thoroughly researched to ensure both an exciting stay and a comfortable vacation experience.
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Kedardome / Shutterstock””>
Kedardome / Shutterstock The unusual Tree hotel, Harads, Sweden
Treehotel
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Mohan Khadka on Unsplash“”>
Photo by Mohan Khadka on Unsplash Scenic view of Kathmandu valley from The Everest Hotel at 13,000 ft above sea level
The Everest Hotel
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Sebw / Shutterstock Interior of one of the igloos of the Ice Hotel in Sweden
Icehotel
While tree houses and tree house-themed accommodations exist all around the world, none blend so fully into their surroundings as the Treehotel in Sweden. Each suite offers panoramic views from both the elevated rooms and the treetop walks connecting them. There are eight different styles of the suite, including the Birdhouse, the MirrorCube (pictured above), and the UFO. These designs combine extreme architecture in the remote pine forest with eco-friendly designs that blend into, rather than detract from, the beautiful views. The newest room, the Biosphere, is specifically designed to attract wildlife for an even more extreme stay in the Swedish forest.
The unusual Tree hotel, Harads, Sweden
Treehotel
- Amenities
- Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Coffee, WiFi, Complementary Breakfast
- Price
- $$$
Resorts World Genting – First World Hotel and adjacent theme park in Malaysia
Vibrantly painted in blues, yellows, greens, and reds, the First World Hotel in Malaysia is all about making a statement, loudly announcing its spot as the largest hotel in the world. With over 7,000 rooms right in the heart of Genting Highlands, guests will likely spend more time walking through their hotel than they do walking to the numerous attractions, including the Genting Theme Park, that sit just half a mile away. The extreme amount of space in the hotel also makes it easy to fit in amenities like a spa and wellness center, fitness center, and much more.
First World Hotel
- Hotel Chain
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Resorts World Genting
- Amenities
- Fitness Center, Spa and Wellness Center, Restaurants, Close to Attractions
- Price
- $
Scenic view of Kathmandu valley from The Everest Hotel at 13,000 ft above sea level
When it comes to extreme heights, there is more than one way for a hotel to stand out. Located at the highest elevation of any hotel in the world, according to the 2004 Guinness Book of World Records, The Everest Hotel (also known as the Everest View Hotel) offers some of the best views of the lower region of Mount Everest. Reaching the hotel requires either a trek through the lower mountain hills or a helicopter ride to the helipad located at the hotel resort.
Scenic view of Kathmandu valley from The Everest Hotel at 13,000 ft above sea level
The Everest Hotel
- Amenities
- Scenic Views, Pool, Fitness Center
- Price
- $
Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden
When traditional building materials just aren’t sufficient, more extreme techniques are needed to create the perfect hotel. While the Icehotel in Sweden is open year-round, during the winter months, the resort has multiple cold rooms carved completely from Ice of the nearby Torne River. The rooms generally stay between 17 and 23 degrees Fahrenheit, with guests sleeping in thermal sleeping bags during their stay. Warm rooms offer an escape from the extreme cold, with both a sauna and wood-burning hot tub available on the grounds.
Interior of one of the igloos of the Ice Hotel in Sweden
Icehotel
- Amenities
- Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Free WiFi, On-site Ski Equipment Rentals
- Price
- $$
Studio 2 / Shutterstock.com
Island getaways are a popular vacation for travelers all around the world, but only one was once a hideaway for a British Prime Minister looking to escape Napoleon Bonaparte. Today, No Man’s Fort still offers an escape for weary travelers but with far more luxurious amenities, including a glass penthouse, nightclub, and helipad. Guests can explore the rich history of the island hotel while also enjoying fishing, boating, wine tasting, and other various activities on and around the island. Those drawn to the unique nature of the island but not looking to book a vacation can instead plan their own extreme event on the hotel grounds, including weddings and corporate events.
Studio 2 / Shutterstock.com
No Man’s Fort
- Amenities
- Complimentary Breakfast, Ocean Views, Free Wifi, Spa
- Price
- $$$
A red-tipped Boeing 727 flies through the air. A disassembled version forms the highlight of Costa Verde in Costa Rica
While traditional tree houses offer amazing views of the forest below, the disassembled red plane of Costa Verde is situated to offer truly extreme views of Costa Rica’s lush rainforest and sparkling blue ocean waters. Suspended approximately 15 feet off the ground, the plane is a Boeing 727, meaning plenty of room for guests on the interior. The wings have been adapted to terraces, offering excellent views of the howler monkeys, sloths, and birds that call the surrounding jungle home. And despite the unusually situated accommodations, the hotel itself is just minutes from the white sand beaches of Costa Rica.
A red-tipped Boeing 727 flies through the air. A disassembled version forms the highlight of Costa Verde in Costa Rica
Hotel Costa Verde
- Amenities
- Snorkeling, Outdoor Pool, Restaurant, Ocean Views, Bar/Lounge
- Price
- $$
While the entirety of the Florida Keys is beautiful, with numerous attractions up and down the Overseas Highway, one of the most unique locations is hidden on the ocean floor. 30 feet down, off the coast of Key Largo in the Emerald Lagoon, lies Jules’ Undersea Lodge, the only underwater hotel in the United States. Even more extreme, the only way to reach the hotel is to scuba dive into it. As such, the hotel is popular for those hoping to get their SCUBA certification while enjoying a hotel stay unlike any other in the world.
Jules Undersea Lodge
- Amenities
- Telephone, Intercom, Kitchen, Music player
- Price
- $$
The Skylodge Adventure Suites, Sacred Valley, Peru
Literally strapped to the side of the mountain, the Natura Vive Skylodge is not for the faint of heart. Even reaching this one-of-a-kind hotel takes extreme measures. Guests must either scale the mountainside by rock climbing or follow the hiking trail, which involves several ziplines to reach the hotel’s unusual pods. The hotel itself is a cluster of aluminum and polycarbonate suites, which protects its guests from the high-altitude elements without inhibiting the incredible views that can only be found high in the mountains.
The Skylodge Adventure Suites, Sacred Valley, Peru
Skylodge Adventure Suites
- Amenities
- Mountain Views, Private Suite, Room Service
- Price
- $$
Crane hotel at the NDSM in Amsterdam-Noord, Holland
Unlike many hotels that are famous for their oversized features, the Crane Hotel instead stands as one of the smallest hotels in the world, with just three rooms making up the entire building. Those three rooms still manage to make an extreme statement, stacked on top of one another, with a crane situated on top to mimic the actual construction equipment. Thrill seekers visiting the hotel can get their adrenaline fix on the roof, where a mega swing is set up for all to enjoy one of the most uniquely shaped hotels in the world.
Faralda Crane Hotel In Amsterdam
Crane Hotel Faralda Amsterdam
- Amenities
- Adults-only, free Wi-Fi, free parking, complimentary toiletries, business center
- Price
- $$$
Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
The Burj Al Arab is extreme in every way; extreme luxury, extreme height, and extreme location. Technically a five-star hotel, the Burj Al Arab considers itself the world’s only seven-star hotel, thanks to incredible amenities like a private beach, a kid’s club, nine restaurants, and even a helipad. The all-inclusive resort comes with one of the highest price tags in Dubai, consists of 28 stories of luxury rooms, and stands as one of the tallest hotels anywhere in the world. While technically part of the city of Dubai, the hotel itself can’t be contained to the traditional city limits and instead sits just over 900 feet off the Dubai shores on a manmade island, completing the striking image of this one-of-a-kind hotel.
Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
Burj Al Arab, Dubai
- Amenities
- Private beach, game room, evening entertainment, minibar
- Price
- $$$
