Each hotel tends to have its own particular charm. While you do get reliability, if you always stick to popular franchises, they’ll all start to look the same at some point. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to find the most unique places to stay, from Cornwall to Africa!

These are the hotels and Airbnbs that create a holiday environment without you ever needing to leave the property. These accommodation destinations have everything you could possibly wish for, made unforgettable by a special flair that is uniquely theirs.

So why not treat yourself to an unforgettable holiday experience? It’s time to ditch the predictable hotel chains and settle into unique places to stay instead. Check out our five top accommodation picks to get started.

Amanhavis Hotel (Benahavis)

The mountain village of Benahavis is the perfect hideaway. Still close enough to reach the popular beach towns of Estepona and Marbella, but far enough from the crowded tourist streets that keep a feeling of calm at arm’s length, it’s got ying and yang in equal balance.

It’s here that you will find the beautiful Amanhavis Hotel, defined by its traditional terracotta-coloured walls and boasting the most imaginative rooms on the Costa del Sol. Each room follows a specific theme. Take the Philosopher’s Study for example, which is lined with shelves of books from the world’s greatest thinkers. Or, there’s the Spice Trader’s Caravan, which pays homage to exotic spices and herbs, and has a secret hiding place holding a treasure trove of trinkets, dug into the ground.

Perfect for couples, if you’re looking for unique places to stay for your next romantic getaway, you’re going to love the Amanhavis Hotel.

Controversy Tram Inn (Hoogwoud)

This hotel, situated just an hour outside of Amsterdam, is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Who would have thought a tram could be turned into such a spectacular holiday location? The Controversy Tram Inn is perhaps more similar to a theme park than a traditional hotel, with its colourful tram apartments and UFO, which is home to a library of books and DVDs to borrow during your stay. There is even an old airplane on site!

Each tram comes equipped with everything you could possibly need to enjoy this quirky holiday experience. Choose the tram with a colourful Jacuzzi if you really want to treat yourselves. The details found in this quirky little inn are amazing: tables made out of old traffic signs, flower beds in old truck tires and a funny statue made entirely of reclaimed  tires. I can’t wait to board one of these trams!

Michelberger Hotel (Berlin)

“Independent, enchanting, exciting” – such is the motto of the Michelberger Hotel, located in Berlin’s famous Warschauer Straβe. Each room inside of this hotel comes with its own particular style – not one room is the same. “The Loft” room seems to have been inspired by the Tiny House trend and offers a lot of space through clever design.

Perhaps you’d rather have your very own house inside of your room? No problem! The Michelberger Hotel’s “Hideout” is a funky room with a house-shaped structure inside. Book this and try out the sauna that comes with it for yourself!

Located close to the Berlin Craft Beer Experience and Club Matrix, this is one of the most unique places to stay. Not only that, it’s also the perfect base for wild nights out in the city’s most electrifying district.

Planning your next party trip? Check out my guide to nightlife in Europe right here to make sure you hit up the hottest events.

Unique Places to Stay

photo credit : Alexandre Lung

Tongabezi (Zambia)

Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to spend your honeymoon or are yearning for an adventure style holiday, the Tongabezi resort in Zambia offers the best of both. With mesmerizing views of the Zambezi River, you will immediately find your mind clearing and your body relaxing into this spectacular environment.

My favourite house in this safari resort is “The Bird House”. The large, wooden deck overlooking the river invites you to enjoy leisurely breakfasts at sunrise and romantic dinners at sunset. You will feel completely cut off from the world here, but all Tongabezi accommodations come equipped with modern luxuries, too. Your African hideout might feel like it’s in the bush, but it still features ultra-handy wifi and air-conditioning. There’s even a laundry service too – essential for any traveller.

Tree Sparrow House (Cornwall)

With so many choices on Airbnb these days, I knew I’d find a whole host of unique places to stay on the site. My favourite find so far? It has to be the Tree Sparrow House in Cornwall. This is a childhood dream come true – a tree house with its very own little kitchen, a cosy seating area and a separate loft-style bedroom that sleeps two.

Handcrafted and full of character, this fairytale accommodation is built into an ash tree two metres above the ground, with views over Falmouth Bay. Even better, the Tree Sparrow House is only a 10-minute walk from the beach and all the great restaurants. What more could you want? I don’t know about you, but the child in me is wildly excited about the idea of spending summer here!

( get £15 off on your first Airbnb booking, using this link )

Have you found any unique places to stay? Share your accommodation advice with us!

5 Unique Places to Stay

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15 COMMENTS

  1. Loved the room full of books in Berlin.
    I’ve not been in many unique places to start from, but if you have a chance to stay in Tbilisi, Georgia, I’d suggest the “Prestige Palace Hotel”. It’s not that high class, but it has a really unique interior. Decorated with old Georgian fashion, it might seem too overwhelming with colors, but you can find a lot of antique items lying here and there, like carpets, teapots and many other things, and get familiar with the culture.
    Happy traveling!

  2. Oooh, I like that hotel in Berlin. Very unique, and funky perhaps. I’ve pinned this – might check some of these places out when i go travelling next year!

  3. I love the idea of staying in Tongabezi. The fact that it has such scenic views, a quiet atmosphere and a bird house is so inviting! Definetly going to put that on the bucketlist.

  4. This is definitely the most interesting collection of places to stay I’ve seen in one article. The Controversy Tram Inn looks like it’d be a particularly trippy experience.

  5. Thank you so much for the recommendation on Cornwall – I’m trying to figure out where to stay there at the minute and that sounds like a great shout!

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