Forget standard hotels—2025 is all about unforgettable stays in the most unique accommodations on the planet.
Whether you want to sleep in an igloo, in a treehouse, or even inside a former airplane, experiential travel is the new gold standard.
Read on for immersive experiences that blend adventure, sustainability, and unprecedented comfort in the most unexpected places.
Giraffe Manor – Nairobi, Kenya
This historic 1930s mansion, set on 12 acres of private land within a 140-acre indigenous forest, has been transformed into an exclusive boutique hotel. The resident herd of Rothschild's giraffes makes this property truly special. These endangered animals, part of a successful breeding program, visit morning and evening, poking their long necks through large windows in search of treats. The manor maintains strict feeding guidelines to ensure the giraffes' health while allowing guests to experience these magnificent creatures up close.
The colonial-style mansion features 12 elegantly appointed rooms, each with its own unique character and antique furnishings. Beyond giraffe encounters, guests can enjoy guided forest walks, visit the AFEW Giraffe Centre, and experience traditional Kenyan cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Treehotel – Harads, Sweden
Located in the pristine forests of Swedish Lapland, Treehotel represents a perfect marriage of sustainable architecture and innovative design. Each of its seven unique treehouses was created by different Scandinavian architects, resulting in distinct personalities:
- The Mirrorcube: A reflective aluminum box that seemingly disappears into the forest
- The UFO: A circular structure that appears to have landed among the trees
- The Bird's Nest: A massive spherical structure covered in natural materials
- The 7th Room: A contemporary cabin offering spectacular views from its netted terrace
The hotel emphasizes eco-friendly practices, using electric heating, LED lights, and combustion toilets to minimize environmental impact. Local activities include Northern Lights viewing, foraging expeditions, and traditional Sami cultural experiences.
Skylodge Adventure Suites – Sacred Valley, Peru
Getting to your room at Skylodge is an adventure in itself. Guests must either climb 400 meters of via ferrata (a protected climbing route) or hike an intrepid trail with ziplines. The reward? A night in one of three transparent capsules secured to the granite mountainside, offering unparalleled views of the Sacred Valley.
Each 24 x 8-foot capsule is crafted from aerospace aluminum and weather-resistant polycarbonate, featuring four beds, a dining area, and a private bathroom. Solar-powered lighting and high-quality insulation ensure comfort at altitude, while gourmet dinner and breakfast are included in the stay.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Finland
This resort has pioneered the glass igloo concept since 1999, offering guests the chance to witness the aurora borealis from the comfort of their bed. The property features two distinct villages:
East Village:
- Glass igloos (small and large)
- Snow igloos
- Traditional log cabins
- Hybrid accommodations combining glass igloos with log cabins
West Village:
- Glass igloos
- Earth lodges
- Traditional Lapland-style houses
- Wedding chapel
- World's largest smoke sauna
Activities vary by season, from summer midnight sun experiences to winter dog sledding and reindeer safaris. The resort's restaurant serves traditional Lappish cuisine, including reindeer, arctic char, and wild berries.
Free Spirit Spheres – Vancouver Island, Canada
Suspended like dewdrops in the coastal rainforest, these handcrafted spherical treehouses represent a unique fusion of art and engineering. Each sphere is constructed from wood and fiberglass composite, tethered to surrounding trees using a sophisticated web of ropes that allows gentle movement with the forest's rhythm.
Three distinct spheres are available:
- Eve: The smallest at 9 feet in diameter, crafted from yellow cedar
- Eryn: A larger 10.5-foot sphere featuring warm Sitka spruce
- Melody: The newest addition, incorporating modern materials and design
The spheres are equipped with compact but cleverly designed amenities, including built-in beds, storage, and electrical heating. While bathrooms are located in a separate building on the ground, the elevated experience of sleeping among ancient trees makes this minor inconvenience worthwhile. The property's location near Qualicum Beach offers easy access to hiking trails, kayaking, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
727 Fuselage Home at Hotel Costa Verde – Costa Rica
This salvaged 1965 Boeing 727 aircraft has been transformed into a luxurious two-bedroom suite perched on a 50-foot pedestal. The vintage aircraft, once part of South Africa Air's fleet, now offers a unique jungle accommodation with ocean views. The interior has been completely refurbished with local teak paneling, hand-carved furniture, and air-conditioned comfort while maintaining some original aircraft features.
The cockpit has been converted into a jungle viewing terrace, and the plane's right wing extends into a covered deck perfect for wildlife spotting. Guests might see toucans, sloths, and monkeys from their elevated vantage point. The hotel's location within Manuel Antonio National Park provides easy access to beaches, rainforest trails, and local restaurants.
Photo credit: Gotanero, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hotel Marqués de Riscal – Elciego, Spain
Frank Gehry's architectural masterpiece rises from Spain's oldest Rioja wine region like a titanium flower. The building's undulating ribbons in pink, gold, and silver reflect the colors of Rioja wine, the bottles, and the foil that wraps the bottleneck. The hotel features:
- 43 luxurious rooms and suites, each uniquely shaped by the building's organic form
- Michelin-starred restaurant serving regional cuisine
- Vinothérapie® Spa offering wine-based treatments
- Direct access to the historic Marqués de Riscal winery
The Future of Unique Accommodations
As we move through 2025, these extraordinary properties represent more than just places to stay – they're gateways to transformative experiences. The trend toward unique accommodations continues to evolve, with new properties emphasizing:
- Sustainable design and eco-friendly operations
- Integration with local cultures and environments
- Advanced technology balanced with authentic experiences
- Wellness and mindfulness opportunities
Whether suspended in the air, submerged underwater, or carved from ice, these accommodations prove that the journey and the destination can be equally extraordinary. As travelers increasingly seek meaningful experiences, these unique properties offer not just a place to rest, but stories to tell for years to come.
For those planning visits, early reservations are essential as these distinctive properties often book months in advance. Many offer seasonal experiences, so research the best time to visit based on your interests and desired activities.
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