Where to stay is a pivotal part of any trip, sometimes just as important as the destination itself. The place you rest your head can dictate not just the quality of sleep you get but the kinds of activities you choose, the people you meet, and the way you engage with the culture around you.
That’s especially true at these accommodations, which are anything but ordinary—combining thoughtful design with unique entertainment and access to nature. From a secluded forest cabin to a lively circus camp, these places run the gamut from serene oases to bustling community hubs, catering to travelers of all ages and persuasions.
1. Tubakuba 📍 Bergen, Norway
This rabbit-hole-esque cabin, designed by students at the Bergen School of Architecture in 2014, overlooks the city from its perch on a forested cliff. Parties of up to five people (though families with young children are prioritized) can book a one-night stay in the building, crawling through its bent-timber hole into a cozy, minimalist interior. It’s not the largest accommodation—just barely squeezing in its lofted sleeping areas and old-school wooden stove—but offers beautiful views from a full wall of windows. And the best part? It’s free!
2. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort 📍 Saariselkä, Finland
In the heart of the Arctic Circle, guests at Kakslauttanen can book a glass igloo for dreamy nighttime views of the northern lights (at their brightest from late August through April). However, if you’d rather stay in more traditional accommodations, there are a variety of spacious houses and cabins equipped with saunas, fireplaces, private outdoor space, and plenty of warm beverages. For the best of both worlds, try one of the resort’s Kelo-Glass Igloos, log cabins that contain a single jutting igloo room.
3. Villa Cheminée 📍 Bouée, France
Translating to “Fireplace” or “Chimney Villa,” this tiny hotel sits atop a 50-foot-tall tower built to resemble the chimneys of a nearby thermal power plant (the largest in Europe). Guests climb up a tall staircase to the top, where a double bed, kitchen, fireplace, and garden await them. For those who don’t have time to spend the night, the tower is also open for free visits on Sunday afternoons.
4. Brown Bear Watching Hide 📍 Palasi, Estonia
Estonia’s Alutaguse National Park is a haven for brown bears, and this rustic hideaway allows you to watch them go about their day, up close and personal. The two cabins, or “hides,” are quite spartan but allow for prime bear viewing, with chairs that look out through covert windows and special hatches for guests to take photos from. If you’re lucky, from your wooden bunk you may even spot a rare wolf or lynx roaming through the forest.
5. Atlanta Glass Treehouse 📍 Atlanta, Georgia
In Atlanta’s sleepy Ormewood Park neighborhood, one house stands apart from its bungalow neighbors … that is, if you can spot it. Tucked away into the tree branches is this two-floor home made from recycled glass, steel, and milled lumber, constructed over four years by architects Mary Clare DeReuil and Carlos Tardio. They use the top floor as a studio for their firm, Tardio Architecture, but rent out the lower level on Airbnb, where guests enjoy two light-flooded bedrooms, industrial design, and giant doors that open onto four outdoor terraces.
6.Rabbit Tree Hostel 📍Gili Meno, Indonesia
On the tiny island of Gili Meno, this wacky hostel has long attracted the artistically inclined with its fantastical decor and maze-like structure. Each colorful room has a distinct theme, from Grandma’s Room to the Riddle Room to Bola Bola (a massive ball pit). Walking to your room might mean getting lost in a hall of secret doors, ending up on an outdoor walkway, or stumbling upon a sunken table that occasionally fills with water. The hostel also places great focus on building community, and guests can join in for swims with glowing plankton, boat excursions, and game nights.
7. Libušín a Maměnka 📍 Pustevny, Czechia
These whimsical buildings are the work of Czech architect Dušan Jurkovič, known as “the poet of timber” for his intricate woodwork inspired by Czech and Slavic folklore. This cozy hotel, opened in 1899, was his ode to the mountain traditions of Pustevny, decorated with motifs drawn from local legends and heroes. In its operations, too, the space embraces alpine culture, serving local Wallachian cuisine like zelňačka (cabbage soup) and hosting folk musicians and dance troupes.
8. Grand Circus Hotel 📍 Malmö, Sweden
If you’ve ever dreamed of running away to join the circus, look no further than this quirky wagon park on an abandoned railway lot. The wagons are, in fact, old tractor-trailers, rebuilt and painted to recall the bohemian energy of a traveling circus. Each caravan’s design is inspired by a specific member of the circus; walking through the lot, you’ll find The Clown, The Magician, The Lion Tamer, and more. Grand Circus also has space for guests to park their own vans and take part in a lively community, as the space frequently hosts events ranging from stand-up comedy shows to folklore festivals.
9. Big Idaho Potato Hotel 📍 Boise, Idaho
On 400 acres of farmland just outside Boise, this six-ton spud invites visitors to try out a life in the belly of their favorite food. The site was originally constructed for the Idaho Potato Commission’s 75th anniversary and toured the country for seven years before arriving here in 2019. Now, after some DIY design, it’s open to the public on Airbnb, offering a cozy getaway replete with old vinyl records and a spa-like bathroom. Guests may even be greeted by Dolly, the friendly cow who lives on the property.
10. Attrap’Rêves Bubble Hotel 📍 Allauch, France
“Living in a bubble” isn’t always a bad thing, as proven by this series of see-through cocoons on the southern coast of France. Though they’re tiny (each a mere 13 feet in diameter), these plastic pods give guests 360-degree views of the surrounding forest and the sense of complete immersion in nature. Telescopes in each room let you take in the dazzling starry sky each night, and you can even order a luxury dinner for delivery to your pod.
Source: www.atlasobscura.com
