While researching an exotic getaway is an exciting first step for any traveler, picking out sleeping accommodations can feel like a chore in comparison. Uniform, traditionally colored buildings with unassuming rooms seem to detract from the beautiful natural landscapes and vibrant cities they inhabit.
Fortunately, many architects have seen this lack and upgraded the hotel landscape accordingly, creating livable works of art for travelers around the world. Whether hidden deep in the forests of Sweden or piercing the mountain skyline in the Czech Republic, these 10 hotels are a look into the unique ways hotels have been adapted to fit their landscape and history.
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The uniquely shaped inntel hotels amsterdam zaandam offers a unique experience for Holland visitors
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam
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A suite of the Treehotel camouflaged in the Sweden forest
Treehotel
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Parasol on rocky beach with fabriken furillen gotland in the background
Fabriken Furillen
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The unusual Dog Bark Inn B&B in Idaho stands out against the greenery on a warm summer day
Dog Bark Inn B&B
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The Marqués de Riscal Hotel, Spain
Hotel Marqués de Riscal
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Hotel Jested, Liberec, Czech Republic
Hotel Jested
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Night lights illuminate the sheraton huzhou hot spring resort against the surrounding water in Huzhou, China
Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort
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Interior of one of the igloos of the Ice Hotel in Sweden
Icehotel
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam, Netherlands
For a unique stay that doesn't compromise on charming Amsterdam architecture, Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam is the best of the best. On the outside, this hotel resembles a number of colorful traditional homes stacked to form a large building, with equally colorful smaller homes surrounding it. Inside, modern decor and amenities like an indoor pool, spa, and fitness center create a comfortable stay from start to finish. To add to the appeal, the Hotel is also a short 15-minute drive from major attractions, including the historic and emotional Anne Frank House and Nemo Science Museum.
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam
- Amenities
- Indoor Pool, Spa, Fitness Center, Room Service, Bar/Lounge
- Price
- $$
Treehotel, Sweden
Hidden in the trees and around the corner from Edefors Church, Treehotel in Sweden is every kind of unique. The geometric rectangle suites are positioned high in the trees, creating a one-of-a-kind contrast between natural forest beauty and sleek modern design. The unusual hotel has all the expected amenities of a luxury hotel and the added bonus of direct access to canoeing, skiing, hiking, biking, and fishing. The hotel also offers a limo and car service and an airport shuttle to make this remote escape accessible for all travelers.
Treehotel
- Amenities
- Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Coffee, WiFi, Complementary Breakfast
- Price
- $$$
Fabriken Furillen, Sweden
One part limestone quarry, one part private boutique hotel, Fabriken Furillen is a statement in simple, sleek design. Intentionally created to be as simple as possible, the basic geometric structure allows focus to remain on the beautiful scenery of Gotland, Sweden's largest island. The entire hotel is a labor of love by the family and an exercise in Swedish minimalism, with a Swedish sauna, raw and cooked Swedish delicacies throughout the hotel, and remote "Hermit Huts" for those wanting to get even further from the worries of the world.
Fabriken Furillen
- Amenities
- Bicycle Rentals, Island Views, Restaurants, Free WiFi, Pet Friendly, Complementary Breakfast
- Price
- $$
Dog Bark Inn B&B, Idaho
Sometimes basic Geometry isn't enough to excite visitors, so the Dog Bark Inn B&B in Idaho has elevated things to a new level. With suites shaped like squared-off beagles and dog houses, this unusual B&B stands out against the flat Idaho surroundings. While the unusual design certainly catches the eye, the Dog Bark Inn continues to draw in visitors thanks to its personable hosts and well-kept facilities. Those enamored with the unusual shape of the Inn can take home their own hand-carved version of the four-legged characters made by one of the owners of the Inn himself.
Dog Bark Inn B&B
- Amenities
- Free WiFi, Pet Friendly, Kid Friendly, Complementary Breakfast,
- Price
- $
Crane Hotel Faralda Amsterdam, Netherlands
Just because a hotel is adults-only doesn't mean it can't be fun. Geometric ingenuity and a fun construction theme create the one-of-a-kind Crane Hotel Faralda Amsterdam. The hotel is a set of just three suites stacked to create the crane, making it a particularly exclusive and pricey stay. Each suite has a unique theme and color scheme. The unique experiences continue with the top-floor jacuzzi and mega swing. Yes, guests can actually go bungee jumping off their hotel in Amsterdam. Away from the hotel, Amsterdam attractions like Madame Tussauds, with its unique and sometimes eerie wax figures, and Dam Square are less than a 15-minute drive from home base.
Crane Hotel Faralda Amsterdam
- Amenities
- Adults-only, free Wi-Fi, free parking, complimentary toiletries, business center
- Price
- $$$
Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Spain
Inspired by its location, The City of Wine, better known as Alava, Spain, Hotel Marqués de Riscal is a 5-star experience from the moment guests lay eyes on it. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, everything about the hotel is a nod to the surrounding wineries. Visitors can enjoy luxury cuisine and sample fine wine at either of the two on-site restaurants before lounging at the indoor pool or spa. If the views of the hotel weren't enough, guests in each of the 61 suites can enjoy the Spanish countryside and the nearby medieval town of Elciego from their windows.
Hotel Marqués de Riscal
- Hotel Chain
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Marriot International
- Amenities
- Indoor Pool, Fitness Center, Spa and Wellness, Restaurant, WiFi Center,,
- Price
- $$$
Hotel Ještěd, Czech Republic
Shooting above the Liberec skyline, the basic structure of the Hotel Jested has existed since 1737. The historical significance of the tower, paired with its unique fusion of a hotel, restaurant, and TV tower into one building, makes it an architectural icon worldwide. Today, guests can stay in what has been declared a cultural monument, choosing between either a sleek, modern-themed room or a more retro look. The circular shape and high vantage point make the hotel perfect for enjoying panoramic views of the Czech Republic countryside.
Hotel Jested
- Amenities
- Restaurant, Free WiFi, Bar/Lounge, Panoramic Views
- Price
- $
Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, China
While some have described the Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort as a 27-story donut, the architectural beauty of this unique hotel cannot be overstated. Reflecting off Tai Lake, the circular shape of the hotel stands high against the water towns surrounding it. At night, the hotel comes alive with color, further accenting the unusual structure. The stay itself is one of luxury and beauty, and the hotel has the added bonus of being near ancient water towns, stone bridges, restored historic districts, and waterways fed by the Grand Canal.
Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort
- Hotel Chain
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Marriott Bonvoy's
- Amenities
- Indoor and Outdoor Pool, Fitness Center, Spa, Bar/Lounge, Restaurant, Bike Rentals
- Price
- $$
Icehotel, Sweden
When traditional building resources are scarce, creating the perfect unique hotel for visitors requires some creativity. As the name suggests, the Ice Hotel in Sweden is both winter lodging and an art exhibition. The winter suites are carved completely from the ice of the Torne River, featuring unique and very photograph-able ice sculptures all around the domed igloos comfortably furnished for guests from all around the world. In the summer, when the ice melts, permanent structures, collectively known as ICEHOTEL 365, are available to ensure that no one misses out on the beauty of Sweden.
Icehotel
- Amenities
- Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Free WiFi, On-site Ski Equipment Rentals
- Price
- $$
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, Finland
The Northern Lights are a beautiful sight, regardless of where they are viewed. However, setting up inside a modern Scandinavian hotel situated in the forests of Finland may just be the best way to enjoy the show. Similar to the Treehotel, the Arctic Treehouse Hotel follows a clean Scandinavian approach that inspires the open rectangular shape of each suite. Large windows pull focus back to the natural beauty of the area, while the simplistic design allows guests to appreciate the architectural feat of the hotel without being pulled away from the natural landscape surrounding it.
Arctic Treehouse Hotel
- Amenities
- Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Free WiFi, Complimentary Breakfast
- Price
- $$