Whenever you think of a hotel, you imagine luxurious accommodation with a poolside and plenty of other amenities. But have you ever dreamt of staying at a quirky lodging located in unique surroundings? There are plenty of such inns that redefine the concept of regular hotels. These one-of-a-kind and unusual hotels or resorts are at unusual locations, such as on the top of a harbor crane, amid a slope, in the middle of the lake, and so on. Here is a list of some unusual hotels from around the world located in unique locations.

1 Bivak Luca Vuerich Foronon del Buinz, Italy

This hut-type hotel situated on the top of Foronon del Buinz Mountain offers panoramic views of Italy’s Julian Alps. The tent-shaped hotel has room for nine beds and offers free accommodation for hikers provided they reach the top of the 8,300-foot-tall mountain.

Bivak Luca Vuerich is a tiny, hut-type lodging located 8,300 feet up Foronon del Buinz mountain in Malborghetto Valbruna, Province of Udine, Italy. This small, scheduled, and remote shelter was built as a tribute to mountain climber Luca Vuerich who lost his life at the age of 34 after being caught in an avalanche. The cabin was assembled by his friends, mountain rescue staff, and a group of 12 builders in just one day. 

Designed by architect Giovanni Pesamosca in 2012, this wooden structure offers incredible views of Italy’s Julian Alps. The hut has a sloping roof and resides at a position that receives maximum sun exposure. It has beds equipped with beddings and mattresses and can accommodate eight people. There is a not-so-fancy toilet outside. If you want to survive here, carry enough food and water, supplies, and other necessary equipment along with you.

What’s interesting about this lodging is that the accommodation is free to hikers and mountaineers who manage to reach it. (Source)

2 InterContinental Wonderland, China

InterContinental Wonderland is the world’s first underground 5-star resort that’s built into a sidewall of an 88-meter-deep abandoned quarry in Shanghai. The venue takes a giant “S” shape and boasts the world’s only rock-climbing wall situated below the horizon.

Operated by InterContinental, this innovative 5-star resort is situated amid the slopes in Songjiang, Shanghai. Regarded as the world’s first underground hotel and with a construction area of over 656,000 square feet, this hotel is situated in an 88-meter-deep quarry. It boasts two stories underwater out of 18. The unique hotel is designed in the form of an “S” and also features the “yin and yang design” to display the harmonious relationship between nature and the city. 

The hotel has 337 rooms, a grandeur ballroom, and several cafes and eateries on the ground floor. Six underwater suites feature a private saltwater aquarium, a theater box, and a balcony. Some of the guestrooms have an open concept bathroom where Baidu’s digital assistant is there to meet every guest’s need. The InterContinental Club lounge, the Quarry Bar, and an in-house spa are also available in this one of the world’s most unusual hotels.

Rooms are expected to be priced between US $360 to US $500 per night. (1, 2)

3 Palacio de Sal, Bolivia

The world’s first salt hotel located in southwest Bolivia offers dramatic views of the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. The smoke-free hotel is made of salt blocks and has its walls, ceilings, and floors constructed entirely from salt. It has 42 rooms designed in the form of salt igloos.

The Palacio de Sal is hailed as the world’s first salt hotel is an apt accommodation for travelers who wish to explore the Salar de Uyuni (the world’s largest salt flat at 10,582 km²). Located in southwest Bolivia, 350 kilometers south of La Paz, the hotel has everything made from salt – right from furniture to walls. But there are also red furnishings and wooden pathways to contrast with the salt surroundings. 

One of the most unusual hotels in the world, The Palacio de Sal has 42 rooms with standard ones being built in the form of igloos. The rooms have beds made of salt and salt-brick ceilings. There are many living areas and a spacious bar where guests can play snooker or cards while enjoying drinks. Breakfast and dinner are buffet-style with a wide selection of dishes, ranging from pancakes and cereals to meat and chicken. You will also find Bolivian beers, wines, and other traditional products. (Source)

4 No Man’s Fort, UK

No Man’s Fort, a sea fort set on an offshore, 19th-century fort near Portsmouth, is one of the most unique and secluded venues in the UK. This excellent five-star venue has 23 rooms offering panoramic views of the sea. The fort-style hotel boasts the luxurious Lighthouse Suite, a two-bedroom penthouse with a glass-walled living area offering 360-degree views.

No Man’s Fort, the largest among the Solent Forts in Portsmouth, England, offers a unique experience to travelers. Also known as No Man’s Land Fort, it was built during the 19th century at a cost of £462,500 after recommendations by the 1859 Royal Commission. Today, the fort is used as a hospitality center and venue for family get-togethers, weddings, and other events. 

The fort-style hotel offers a multitude of luxurious services to its high-paying guests, ranging from an indoor pool to helipads. This secluded venue has 23 rooms, all offering panoramic views of the sea.

There is a choice of five bars along with rooftop hot tubs and the luxurious Lighthouse Suite to enjoy some 360-degree views. You can even sit in a cabaret club, enjoy a free breakfast at an on-site restaurant, or simply relax around a fire pit and toast some delicious marshmallows.

(1, 2)

5 Havenkraan Harlingen, Netherlands

Havenkraan Harlingen, perched on a crane, was built in 1967 beside the Wadden Sea. The crane hotel has control cabins that are perfect to spend a cozy night while enjoying the best views of the sea. The harbor crane offers a control stick to turn the crane 360 degrees.

Havenkraan Harlingen is one of the most unusual hotels in the world because it is perched on a crane situated beside the Wadden Sea and nearby KNRM Station Harlingen in Friesland. Once used to unload timber from Russia, the harbor crane is now a luxurious lodging. 

This unique and quirky accommodation offers an opportunity to embrace amazing lake views from crane height. There are two specialty elevators to reach the suite. While the first elevator takes the guests to a platform nestled between the legs, the other one connects to the machine house. 

This air-conditioned accommodation has the main room offering sea views through the window, a minibar, and a flat-screen TV. The cabin has a special seat where you can sit and use the controller to turn the crane 360 degrees. You can even use an easy-to-use touch screen to control the elevator, lighting, and sun blinds. There is also a terrace to enjoy rooftop views. The price to stay here ranges from € 199 to € 319 a night. (Source)