Travelers often dream of finding places to stay that feel as memorable as the destinations themselves. Around the world, there are unique hotels that go far beyond standard rooms and lobbies.
Guests book suites built entirely of ice, stay in underwater rooms surrounded by marine life, and rest in caves carved into ancient rock. These properties turn a night’s stay into part of the adventure.
Here are eight unique hotels that travelers can book today, each offering a stay unlike anywhere else.
Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Founded in 1989, the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is the world’s first hotel built entirely from snow and ice. It sits about 20 kilometers from Kiruna in northern Sweden and is reconstructed each winter using ice blocks from the Torne River.
The property includes artist‑designed suites where beds and furniture are carved from ice, along with warm rooms for guests who prefer standard comforts.
Icehotel 365 provides year‑round ice art and accommodations cooled by solar energy, ensuring the experience continues even after the seasonal build melts each spring.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island introduced The Muraka in 2018, the world’s first underwater hotel suite. The suite sits more than 16 feet below sea level, with a curved acrylic dome offering panoramic views of the surrounding reef and marine life.
Above the water, the residence includes a private deck, infinity pool, and butler service, creating a two‑level stay that combines ocean immersion with luxury amenities.
The resort also features Ithaa, the world’s first undersea restaurant, along with a wide range of dining options across the property.
Cappadocia Cave Suites in Göreme, Turkey
Cappadocia Cave Suites sits in the heart of Göreme, surrounded by the region’s famous fairy chimneys. The property blends historic cave dwellings with modern comfort, offering rooms carved into volcanic rock alongside stone‑built suites.
Guests wake to views of hot-air balloons rising over the valleys and enjoy amenities such as Turkish breakfast buffets and lounges with fireplaces.
The hotel’s location places many of Cappadocia’s highlights, including open‑air museums and hiking trails, within easy walking distance.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort opened in 1974 and has become one of Lapland’s most iconic stays.
Located near Saariselkä and the Urho Kekkonen National Park, the resort is best known for its glass igloos, which allow guests to watch the Northern Lights and star‑filled skies from the comfort of their beds.
The property offers several types of igloos, including small and large glass domes as well as hybrid log‑and‑glass “Kelo” igloos. In addition to igloo stays, guests can book snow igloos, log chalets, and traditional houses, with activities ranging from husky safaris to reindeer tours.
Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya
Built in 1932, Giraffe Manor is a boutique hotel in Nairobi’s Lang’ata suburb.
The manor is home to a herd of Nubian/Rothschild’s giraffes, a subspecies once considered highly endangered. The breeding program based here has helped grow their numbers in the wild.
Guests share breakfast or tea with the giraffes, and the colonial architecture set within the indigenous forest makes the stay distinctive.
