10 Coolest Hotels in the World

Last Updated on April 6, 2024

A look at some of the coolest hotels we’ve stayed around the world: from ice hotels to treehouses and cave inns!

Thanks to this website, Alberto and I have had the chance to travel far and beyond, from Antarctica to Zimbabwe, North Korea to South Africa. Along the way, we’ve also been fortunate enough to stay at many extraordinary and outstanding hotels. These aren’t your conventional five-star hotel chain or backpacker hostel — you’ll be surprised by how creative and unusual some hotel owners/designers can be.

Here’s a look at some of the coolest hotels we’ve stayed at:

Coolest Hotels in the World

1. Treehotel — Harads, Sweden

Undoubtedly the coolest hotel we’ve stayed at is Treehotel, a unusual abode tucked in the remote countryside of northeastern Sweden. It comes as a surprise to many, that hidden within the Harads forest is a cluster of highly innovative treehouses that bring design to a whole new level.

Each of its five treehouses features distinctive architecture and interior design: The UFO – which we had the pleasure of staying in – mimics an outer space shuttle (with a metallic shell and retractable staircase), providing a comfortable escape to our childhood dreams.

The Mirrorcube acts almost like a mirage, beautifully camouflaged into its surroundings by mirrored walls. Hanging from the tree canopy is the Bird’s Nest, clad entirely in a network of branches collected from the surroundings.

Check the latest prices here.

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2. Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel — Cappadocia, Turkey

Whimsical fairy chimneys, staggering rock spires and multi-colored cliffs sprawl across the high plateau of Cappadocia, Turkey. In the midst of this unearthly landscape stands Yunak Evleri, a boutique hotel that gives new meaning to the concept of ‘sleeping in a cave’.

Carved into the rugged Mesa mountain cliff, the cave rooms of Yunak Evleri date back as far as the 5th century. Each of its 30 cave rooms has been immaculately restored and tastefully decorated with Ottoman-style furnishing, polished teak flooring and old kilim carpets – all of which open up to a panorama of the surrounding Turkish Mesa.

I had the fortune of staying in one of the suites at Yunak Evleri where most couples on honeymoon stay. The living area was massive, the bathroom rustic yet elegant, and the view was outrageous.

Check the latest prices here.

3. Iglu Dorf Igloo Hotel — Zermatt, Switzerland

Right in the middle of the ski slopes of Zermatt and surrounded by spectacular views of the Swiss Alps is the Iglu-Dorf igloo hotel. Built from fresh snow each year, the igloo hotel is a cluster of igloos made of a mixture of snow and ice, with igloo-shaped rooms and white icy bars and lounge areas.

In the day, it acts as an aprés-ski bar and by night, it’s converted into a frosty ice hotel. For dinner, guests are served warm and rich cheese fondue and mint tea.

The sleeping bag that was provided by the hotel was thick and warm, but I unfortunately suffered from a bout of indigestion at night and had to wake up several times in night and venture into the cold (the bathroom was outside the igloo). I ended up vomiting inside my sleeping bag that night. Despite this minor setback, I would still highly recommend a stay at Iglu-Dorf.

Check the latest prices here.

4. Ashford Castle — Mayo, Ireland

While doing a road trip in Ireland, Alberto and I had the chance to stay in the opulent and atmospheric Ashford Castle in the countryside of Cong, County Mayo. What used to be the Guinness family’s summer residence centuries ago is now an elegant hotel with a strong sense of those olden days.

The hotel’s lobby is decorated with invaluable portrait paintings and china porcelain while its bar and lounge areas are tastefully embellished with paintings and furniture dating back to the 13th century. The intricately-crafted roof paneling and exquisite wooden furnishing in the hotel lobby are original, dating back to the 1200s.

Rooms at Ashford Castle are decked out with velvet upholstery, floral-patterned wall papers and carpeted flooring and in the state rooms, guests can snuggle in their four-poster bed, blanketed with burgundy beddings and white linen. Our suite also had a spectacular view of Lake Cong and the surrounding pine forests.

Check the latest prices here.

5. Raj Palace Heritage Grand Hotel — Jaipur, India

In Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, we experienced Indian royal living at the Raj Palace, an opulent heritage hotel converted from a 300-year-old palace. It was once home to the Maharaja (royal king) and is still a property of his descendants.

Each suite in the hotel is decorated with 200-year-old antiques: brass figures, golden-plated pillars and bronze furnishing. Our suite even had a mini-museum with artifacts on display and old photos of the Maharani (Princess) who used to live in the palace.

The biggest suite in the hotel was the Maharaja Suite, priced at a whopping US$15,000 for a night’s stay. It’s no wonder the hotel was voted as the World’s Best Heritage Hotel by the World Travel Awards for four consecutive years, 2007-2011.

Check the latest prices here.

6.  Hotel Ranga — Hella, Iceland

As part of our attempt to see the Northern Lights in Iceland (we did end up seeing them in the Swedish Lapland), we based ourselves at Aurora Central, Hotel Ranga. This countryside resort is not just a hotel on its own right, it’s a world-acclaimed expert in Northern Lights, specializing in aurora forecasts, studies and photography.

Surrounded by the volcano Mt Hekla and a range of mountains and glaciers and the Atlantic Ocean, the resort’s geographical location in South Iceland creates perfect conditions for the phenomenon. In fact, Hotel Ranga has been dubbed the best place on Earth from which to witness the Aurora Borealis by The Sunday Times Travel Magazine.

Check my latest prices here.

7. Lakaz Chamarel — Chamarel, Mauritius

As curious travelers, we like to seek out unconventional experiences and less-visited areas. At Lakaz Chamarel, we felt as though we’d found a different side to Mauritius. This ecolodge is tucked within the mountains and valleys of the Chamarel region, far beyond the beaches and resorts.

To get there, we zigzagged our way along the winding switchbacks and climbed up steep mountain roads. Once in the peaceful grounds of Lakaz Chamarel, the sounds of birds singing echoed through the jungle and the smell of lush tropical foliage surrounded us.

Designed with a stylish Balinese flair and elegant African decor, our bungalow featured high ceilings, natural hardwood furnishing, a private plunge pool and a spacious outdoor area was perched on a hilltop, overlooking stunning mountain peaks.

Check the latest prices here.

8. Cheetah Plains — Sabi Sands, South Africa

Both Alberto and I love are wildlife buffs and our favorite continent to go for wildlife watching is obviously Africa. We’ve been to most of Southern Africa and East Africa: from the Serengeti to Etosha and have stayed in several safari resorts and campsites.

One of the coolest hotels we’ve stayed in Africa is Cheetah Plains, a gorgeous safari-style lodge in the Sabi Sand private reserve. The intimate size (only eight bungalows), proximity to the wildlife and gorgeous, natural setting definitely made it an experience to remember. Although the lodge was properly fenced, some animals still find their way into the lodging area.

One morning we were in awe when we found a young bushbuck right outside our door. We were told that there have been sightings of leopards in the property grounds, which made us all the more excited.

Check the latest prices here.

9. Hostel Celica – Ljubljana, Slovenia

Dating back to 1883, the prison-hotel Hostel Celica in Ljubljana, Slovenia, used to serve as a military prison for the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Yugoslav Federal Army after Yugoslavia was formed. After the war was over, Metelkova Network converted the building and its surroundings into an independent cultural hub.

With the help of more than 80 local and international artists, each of the 20 jail cells have been artistically renovated and reinvented. Our room consisted of two single beds suspended close to the cell’s ceiling by a wooden structure that also served as a staircase and a small study table.

We finally got to experience how it was like to sleep in a prison cell for the night – and it turned out to be so much fun. Read about the rest of our Slovenia road trip.

Thinking about exploring this amazing city? Here’s a selection of must-try experiences to make the most of your time in Ljubljana.

Check the latest prices here.

10. Sumilon Island Resort – Cebu, The Philippines

Of all the island resorts we’ve stayed at, the Sumilon Island Resort has to be the coolest — not for the design/style of the resort but more for its location on a private island. Located 10 km from Cebu island, the island might be just a hop away from civilization but it sure felt like a world apart.

Thick virgin rainforests and rugged coral terrain are kept in their original conditions, while the sparkling clear water surrounding it are protected even more so by Bluewater and relevant research groups. A clusters of stylish, and tastefully designed bungalows stand on the waterfront and an infinity pool is perched on a hilltop overlooking the sea.

Check the latest prices here.

BONUS: Zambezi Queen — Chobe River, Botswana

Technically a boat isn’t a hotel, but I did sleep on this luxury river cruise and so I’ve added it as a bonus item. The Zambezi Queen plies the backwaters of Chobe River (that straddle Namibia and Botswana) and brings you deep into the heart of the waterways and savannas where wild animals roam free.

The 45-meter-long, three-level boat is stylishly decorated in contemporary African style, and features floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open up to stunning views of the passing scenery and wildlife. As we glide through the glassy water, we watch groups of hippos and elephants grazing on one side and herds of gazelles running on the other. It provided a perspective unlike no other.

Read my review.

What do you think of this list of coolest hotels in the world? Have you stayed in any of them? Know of any other amazing places to stay? Please share with us in the comments field below!

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