9 Beautifully Unusual Places to Stay

By Evelyn Morris, Sandra Parmee & Dale Wakefield
8 July 2024

When we’re not on the road, we love nothing more than looking up unusal and fascinating places to stay in all of our favourite countries. If you’re the same, you’re going to love this list we’ve compiled of unique lodgings around the world.

Sleep under the stars in a semi-transparent bubble in Mauritius, take a luxurious train journey in India, or stay in a lodge that’s perched above the swirling rapids of the Nile. The world is full of fascinating places, so here are our personal recommendations of places that are sure to inspire your sense of wanderlust and lift you out of the everyday.

1. The Ark Lodge, Kenya

Sitting above its own floodlit waterhole and salt-lick, The Ark attracts a wide range of wildlife to delight guests. Located at the heart of the awe-inspiring Aberdare National Park in Kenya, this unique lodge is based on Noah’s Ark with its boat-shaped structure.

With wildlife beauty as its primary theme, The Ark provides the perfect hideout for a subtle viewing. The ground level bunker provides a vantage point to see animals only metres away through viewing holes, while you remain in complete safety.

Of course, there are many decks with panoramic views for observing the ever-present animal activity.

So that you don’t miss any animal sightings, the night guard will buzz your room when special animals come to the waterhole. Connect with the essence of unexplored Africa at this magical location.

Of course, there are many decks with panoramic views for observing the ever-present animal activity.

So that you don’t miss any animal sightings, the night guard will buzz your room when special animals come to the waterhole. Connect with the essence of unexplored Africa at this magical location.

2. Maharajas’ Express, India

Imagine being whisked away on a luxurious train journey through India, aboard the Maharajas’ Express.

This isn’t just any train; it’s a decadent five-star hotel on wheels. Relax in plush lounges. Sip cocktails in a stylish bar. Enjoy the most lavish feasts, or a captivating book from the well-stocked library – the entertainment is endless.

Allow this train to take you on an unforgettable adventure that lasts from three to seven magical nights, departing between October and April. Witness majestic tigers on a thrilling safari. Immerse yourself in vibrant cultures, or follow the classic route through the Golden Triangle. Expert guides are at hand to unlock the secrets of magnificent forts, opulent palaces, and ancient sites.

For some peace and quiet, luxurious cabins await. Spacious and elegantly appointed, even the most basic room offers an en-suite bathroom, individual climate control, and the attentive service of a personal butler. Upgrade to a plush suite named after a precious stone. For the ultimate indulgence, the Presidential Suite sprawls across an entire carriage, boasting a private living room, bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, and a private Jacuzzi.

The Maharajas’ Express promises an experience unlike any other. It’s a chance to travel like royalty, to discover the hidden treasures of India, and to create memories that will last a lifetime. Are you ready for your royal adventure?

3. Bubble Lodge, Mauritius

This extrodinarily unusual lodging is situated around a lake at the historic Bois Chéri tea plantation, just 17 kilometres from the airport. There’s also another location on the stunning, untouched Island of Île aux Cerfs, off the east coast of Mauritius.

The lodge was established in 2018, and is made up of semi-transparent, inflatable domes. With sustainability in mind, the energy-efficient domes are crafted from recyclable materials. They are surprisingly spacious, with a lounge area, bedroom, washroom and outdoor shower. No curtains are required. The location of each pod ensures total privacy (plus, there are a limited number of pods at both Bois Chéri and Île aux Cerfs).

The design of the domes allow guests to feel a continual connection with nature. Uninterrupted views of the beautiful surroundings including endemic trees, bird life and, at night, a sky full of stars. Float away in a bubble of bliss at Bubble Lodge.

What could be more unusual than sleeping in a bubble with the sights and sounds of nature surrounding you? The Bubble Lodge in Mauritius is truely an unusual place to stay.

4. Wilderness Bisate, Rwanda

With rooms that look more like nests hanging in the trees of the forests in Volcanoe National Park in Rwanda's rainforest, Wilderness Bisate is one of the most unusal places to stay in the world. Here you can enjoy luxury as you ready yourself to embark on a trek to see the famous mountain forillas of the Virungas.

In the heart of Rwanda’s rainforest is a luxurious lodge recognised for its exceptional sustainability practices. Wilderness Bisate is arguably the finest base in Africa from which to trek to see the famous mountain gorillas of the Virungas, a group of around 350 of the estimated 1075 critically endangered wild mountain gorillas on the planet.

One of the rooms at Wilderness Bisate (top). This resort take's its responsability to the environment seriously with tree planing and other community initiatives to ensure a positive impact on the region.

Designed to echo the traditions of Rwandan royalty, the six en-suite forest villas offer breathtaking views of the dramatic volcanoes – Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Mikeno. Picture yourself gazing out from your luxurious nest, nestled amongst the trees, before embarking on an unforgettable adventure.

Wilderness Bisate goes beyond luxury accommodation. Here, conservation is paramount. Their commitment is evident in the nourishing, locally-sourced cuisine featuring fresh produce from the lodge’s own garden and surrounding communities. Additionally, a visionary reforestation program and community initiatives ensure a positive impact on the region.

This is more than a stay – it’s a chance to connect with nature’s wonders and contribute to their preservation. Embrace the magic of Rwanda at Wilderness Bisate.

5. Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka

Like the hanging gardens of Babelon, Heritance Kandalama in Sri Lanks if perched on hills with panorami views of Sigiriya Rock.

Perched on hills, this tranquil retreat offers panoramic views of the Sigiriya Rock. The luxury resort in Sri Lanka prioritises providing guests with the finest comforts and services. But it is the resort’s closeness to nature that makes it a true wonder.

Despite covering a staggering 1 kilometre from end to end, and rising up seven floors, Heritance Kandalama‘s presence is subtle. It seems like a natural extension of the mountainside. Within a still forest of dense green, the resort and its surroundings blend into one entity. The flat roof and timber pillars support a screen of vegetation that attracts local wildlife and give it the natural appearance it is known for.

The green lushness of the surounding wilderness gives the hotel its natural appearance for which it is well known.

Designed as a marvel of architecture, sustainability, and hospitality, the abundance of real-life animals around the hotel complements large-scale sculptures within it. These were commissioned by the architect, Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa to complement his design. Merging European ideas with island talent, he collaborated exclusively with renowned Sri Lankan artists.

Everything about Heritance Kandalama reflects a harmonious blend of nature, showcasing Bawa’s vision of organic architecture. Experience luxury while being one with nature.

6. Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, Uganda

Located on a private island mid-stream within the mighty River Nile in Uganda, Lemala Wildwaters Lodge is perched on granite rocks with dramatic rapids roaring all around.

This sublime location, only reachable by boat, is an adventurer’s paradise and the perfect place to escape for a while.

This hut on a private island within the mightly Nine River in Uganda is an amazingly unusual place to stay.

Water swirling around the raised wooden walkways of this hotel's poolside make for a dramatically unusual place to stay.

The traditionally thatched, spacious rooms each boast private decks with free-standing open-air bathtubs. They are nestled in the rainforest with amazing river views. Raised wooden walkways snake along the treetops, linking rooms to the restaurant, bar, and library.

Activities for guests in the nearby adventure hub of the Jinja area include heart-pounding white-water rafting and bungee jumping. There are also gentler activities, such as horse riding and fishing. Consider indulging in exquisite relaxation with the spa treatments on offer.

Guests can keep an eye and ear out for the many species of bird who call the island home, including turacos, cuckoos, hawks, and eagles, while creatures such as giant otters and monitor lizards can be spotted in the water.

A stay at Lemala Wildwaters Lodge is sure to be both an exhilarating and tranquil experience.

7. Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge, South Africa

Kruger Shalati is an amazingly unusal place to stay while you are on holiday in South Africa. The train on a bridge has been transformed into a hotel.

Imagine waking up on a train suspended over a majestic river, not just any train, but one steeped in the history of South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park. Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge offers a truly unique opportunity to be part of the park’s legacy. Here, on the very spot where the first visitors were allowed to stay almost 100 years ago, guests can experience the thrill of yesteryear explorers, reimagined for modern luxury.

Choose from 31 luxuriously appointed suites, either within the iconic train carriages or the stylish Bridge House Suites. Each room is meticulously designed to capture the essence of Kruger’s past, offering an unparalleled immersive experience.

So, ditch the ordinary and embark on a journey where history and comfort collide. Kruger Shalati awaits.

More than just a game lodge, Kruger Shalati is a testament to perseverance. The Selati Bridge, upon which the train rests, was a dream born from a gold rush. Its history includes a saga of struggle against political turmoil and financial woes. Though trains stopped running in 1973, the bridge found new life in 2020 as Kruger Shalati.

The Selati Bridge over the Sani River is the site of an unusual hotel.

8. Manta Resort, Tanzania

Located on the pristine Pemba Island in Tanzania, this resort sits on the edge of a lush forest, overlooking turquoise waters scattered with unspoilt coral reefs. Guests can enjoy the ultimate island experience, from snorkelling excursions to white coral sandbank trips. There are several accommodation options, but the most noteworthy has to be the one-of-a-kind underwater room.

Anchored to the ocean floor, the impressive suite boasts three levels. In addition to a below-water bedroom, an above-water lounge and bathroom, a rooftop deck with a lounging area for stargazing or sun tanning. Guests are also provided with a kayak, snorkels, and fins for exploring the surrounding water.

The bedroom features large windows for uninterrupted viewing of the underwater expanse, including the shoals of reef fish and other sea creatures that swim by. By night, the underwater spotlights beneath each window tend to attract the shyer and more unusual creatures, such as squid. For guests staying in the underwater room, a traditionally crafted wooden boat takes them to this special floating accommodation lying 250 metres from the shore. It’s difficult to imagine a more private, serene, and memorable experience.

Escape to your own private oasis at Manta Resort.

9. Salt Lick Safari Lodge, Kenya

Elephants help themselves to a drink in pools below the stilted accommodations at Salt Lick Safari Lodge in Kenya.

This spectacular lodge offers a luxurious safari escape in the heart of the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Kenya’s Tsavo West National Park. Easily reached by air, train, or road, it has long been one of Kenya’s flagship lodges. Overlooking a waterhole and the vast Tsavo plains, there are myriad opportunities to spot an incredible variety of animals and birds.

Guests stay in charming rooms that are raised on stilts for a breath-taking view of all the action below. In addition to this, the lodge offers an underground tunnel and bunker with ground-level windows that provide unbelievably close yet safe access to a variety of animals as they come to drink from the water hole, often one of the few sources of water during dry spells.

The lodge is more than happy to set up sundowners and bush meals at one of their outdoor locations within the sanctuary. From here guests can enjoy magnificent views of the Taita hills, vast plains, and even Mt. Kilimanjaro on clear days.

Enjoy a guilt-free stay at Salt Lick Safari Lodge, knowing that it’ll have little-to-no impact on your carbon footprint; the lodge runs on solar power and water from a natural spring. Delicious meals are elevated by the fresh fruit and vegetables sourced from the lodge’s own 2.5 acre organic garden. Encounter incredible wildlife in a breathtaking setting at this one-of-a-kind destination.

The Salt Lick hotel in Kenya is one of the most unusal and interesting places to stay where the stilted buildings allow animals to roam below your lodgings.

Take the path less travelled…

Ready to secure your spot at one of these remarkable properties?

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