It’s hard enough to pronounce “Kakslauttanen” while sober—don’t even think about attempting it after a shot of Finlandia vodka. We do, however, recommend a few glasses of the stuff to keep warm while staying at this Finnish resort near the North Pole.
The futuristic glass igloos guarantee unrestricted views of the aurora borealis from the comfort of your zebra-striped bed; the phenomenon turns the night sky dazzling shades of green, red, and blue from late August to April.
2. Jumbo Stay, Stockholm, Sweden
In the cockpit-located suite, you can move the controls and push as many buttons as you’d like without ever worrying about crashing.
The 450 seats on this retired Boeing 747 have been replaced by 27 rooms, and instead of fold-down trays, there are café tables for dining.
3. Palacio de Sal, Bolivia
If you’re one of those people who believe you can never have too much salt, this is the place for you.
From floor to ceiling, including the walls, beds, and chairs, it’s all salt, all the time.
The 16-room Salt Palace is located on Bolivia’s vast salt flats.
4. Hotel Utter Inn, Sweden
At first glance, this one-room hotel appears to be a cheery red house in the middle of the lake. But don’t be fooled: Your room isn’t actually in the house; it’s 10 feet underwater.
Designed by artist Mikael Genberg, the inn’s one room has two twin beds and a tinted-glass window. It isn’t the most comfortable place to stay, but it certainly will be memorable.
5. Can Sleep, Lake Skanderborg, Denmark
Beer lovers of the world unite here for a full-immersion experience: drinking by day and sleeping in a giant beer can by night.
6. Les Roulottes de la Serve, Provence, France
Gypsy (Roma) circus performers once traveled through the French countryside in the three restored caravans that now welcome guests.
Owners Pascal and Pascaline Patin outfitted the caravans (roulottes) with eclectic bohemian and Indian touches: lanterns, garlands, woven carpets, framed images of deities, and plush armchairs.
7. La Villa Hamster, Nantes, France
Ever wonder what life is like for a hamster? If so, you’re not alone—ever since it opened in 2009, La Villa Hamster has been booked almost every night.
Wrought iron has been affixed to the walls to suggest a cage, and, if they so choose, guests can drink water out of a glass tube attached to the wall. And there’s a large, fully functioning hamster wheel, naturally.
8. Elephant Safari Park Hotel Lodge, Bali
Guests can hang out in the on-site baby elephant nursery and catch the 29 resident Sumatran elephants performing in four shows per day. They roam the property, and you can admire them while you’re lounging in the pool or dining in the restaurant.
Pachyderm “chauffeurs” show up to transport you to and from your room.
9. Free Spirit Spheres, Vancouver Island, Canada
This five-acre property in an old-growth forest consists of three pods (made of cedar, spruce, or fiberglass, respectively) suspended 10 to 15 feet in the air and accessed by staircases that wind around the trees.
The teak interiors are surprisingly comfy—each is equipped with a double bed, a microwave, a refrigerator, and even an iPod docking station—but the spheres do sway gently.
10. Wigwam Motel, San Bernardino, Calif
This motel on Route 66 feels less like a place one might commune with Native Americans and more like something from the set of a Mad Men-inspired, late-1950s road trip. But whatever authenticity this hotel lacks, it makes up for in serious kitsch.
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