The Wanderlist: Atypical Accommodation
In the era of experiences, a hotel needs to push boundaries. These are five standouts around the world.
Woodlyn Park, New Zealand
A short drive away from New Zealand’s famed glow worm caves, Woodlyn Park offers a variety of unusual accommodations. Inspired by Waitomo’s underground caverns and the Lord of the Rings, the park’s hobbit motel suites were built underneath a steep hill to resemble the iconic movie set – but only from the outside. One of the last allied planes to be flown into Vietnam now houses two motel suites at Woodlyn Park. There are sleeping options on the lower level of the plane but if you can manage the climb up a ladder and through a hole, you can sleep right in the cockpit.
Inntel Hotels, Holland
In Zaandam’s revamped city centre, the 12-storey Inntel Hotels Zaandam steals the spotlight. The hotel’s eye-catching facade represents various types of houses found in the Zaan region, all stacked on top of each other. Ranging from stately homes to worker’s cottages, the protruding green houses feature bay windows and white trim – a single blue house is a nod to Claude Monet’s Zaandam painting. The rooms also reflect the history of the Zaan area. Only 12 minutes from Amsterdam Central Station, the Inntel Hotels Zaandam is a great jumping off point for exploring North Holland.
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Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland
The Fogo Island Inn is an eclectic blend of traditional inspiration and contemporary design. Suspended on stilts, the hotel is reminiscent of a rustic fishing platform, while its jagged architecture resembles the rocks below. The inn’s homey aesthetic of crafted furniture and organic, natural fibre beds is mixed with luxurious features – including heated towel racks and toilet seats. A roof deck offers relaxation in a wood-fired sauna or outdoor hot tub, encircled by views of the North Atlantic.
The Liberty Hotel, Massachusetts
Completed in 1851, the Charles Street jail in Boston housed prisoners until 1990. Since then, this historic building in the Beacon Hill neighbourhood has been restored and transformed into the elegant and modern Liberty Hotel. Every aspect of the hotel pays homage to the building’s past, from the preserved cells on the windows to the names of the restaurants – Clink and the Yard among them. Preserved in the central building, the original catwalk offers a guests-only hangout with dinner service. Alibi, a cocktail bar serving late-night snacks is aptly situated in what used to be the jail's "drunk tank."
Hotel Palacio de Sal, Bolivia
Take it with a grain of salt, but we think Bolivia’s Hotel Palacio de Sal is a must-see. Almost everything inside is made of salt – from the floors, walls and ceilings to sculptures and furniture. But that doesn’t stop this hotel from offering modern amenities and décor. Located on the shores of the largest salt flat in the world, Hotel Palacio de Sal offers spectacular views of Salar de Uyuni. The rainy season is the best time to visit when a sheet of water coats the salt flat, creating a spectacular mirror effect that stretches into the horizon.
