From floating hotels to treetop hideaways and glass cabins to desert domes, the desire to vacation in boundary-pushing accommodation is a growing trend among travellers this year. If you're looking for spaces that will leave their mark, these six hotels are just as impressive as the landscape that surrounds them.
According to data from Booking.com, a third of travellers (37%) worldwide are planning to book a stay in alternative accommodation this year. With that in mind, the hotel booking site has selected six unique getaways that blend the borders between accommodation and nature so that nothing comes in between you and the landscape you're there to explore.
Bubble Lodge, Bois Chéri, Mauritius
Located along the Mauritian Tea Route, Bubble Lodge Bois Chéri is a transparent oasis in the middle of the historic Cap Malheureux, a working tea plantation. Surrounded by jungle and a lake, the bubble rooms contain a queen-sized bed, an en-suite bathroom, an exterior shower, a coffee machine, air-conditioning and a relaxation area. Whether gazing at the myriad of stars that are visible through the rain forest canopy or simply daydreaming amongst the leaves, every moment is a tranquil treat.
Milaidhoo Island, Baa Atoll, Maldives
You can jump out of bed and dive straight into the turquoise sea from the private villas at Milaidhoo Island Maldives This boutique luxury escape even has its own coral reef and is located in a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve. Best of all, with the barefoot informality that you’re afforded at this secluded getaway, you can laze away the hours on your private sundeck while taking in an epic Indian Ocean sunset.
Greystone PurePod, Waipara, New Zealand
Magnificent conditions for stargazing and uninterrupted views of the pristine New Zealand countryside are waiting for you at Greystone PurePod, a luxury glass eco-cabin set high above a beautiful organic winery in the Waipara Valley. Made of heavy-duty glass, this fully self-contained, solar-powered, environmentally sustainable holiday home enables you to enjoy awe-inspiring panoramas of the rural landscape from every direction, all from the comfort of your bed.
Heshe Hotel, Guilin, China
Known for its limestone hills and winding waterways, Guilin is a magical, must-see area of the Guangxi region in southern China. With giant windows that provide floor-to-ceiling views of the surrounding countryside, Heshe Hotel is a hidden gem. It’s also just steps away from one of the region’s most popular natural attractions, the Reed Flute Cave.
Manshausen Island, Nordskot, Norway
Set in a remote location on the tiny island of Manshausen off the northwest coast of Norway, the minimalist sea cabins at this Nordic retreat (Manshausen Island) feature sleek sitting rooms encased entirely in glass on three sides. Perched over the edge of the water, they create an illusion akin to floating in mid-air, completely surrounded by sea, sky and the rugged hills of the other small neighbouring islands.
Sun City Camp, Wadi Rum, Jordan
The best way to immerse yourself in the Mars-like terrain of Wadi Rum is to stay in a geodesic dome at the base of one of the desert’s many dazzling rock formations. Sun City Camp has luxurious self-contained tents, complete with their own decks (which provide a great base to watch the blazing sun disappear). Their “Martian tent” will make you feel like a space pioneer.
