Skip to main content

From ice rooms to inside the Eiffel Tower, 7 of the coolest hotels on Earth

Building a posh hotel? That’s easy. What’s challenging is making ones that are unusual or original, without being schticks or too wacky (you can find plenty of those on Airbnb) – that requires a bit more creativity. Like Las Vegas hotels, the following accommodations required a bit of imagination during the conception process, but they offer something unique that’s only theirs. But more importantly, they are actually awesome and comfortable (well, perhaps not the one made of ice) places to check into. If you’re looking for a room that is one-of-a-kind, here are the more interesting options.

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel-Tower_
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Eiffel Tower is every first-time visitor’s must-visit Parisian landmark, but instead of seeing it, why not stay there overnight? No, La Tour Eiffel is not being converted into a hotel, but vacation rental site, HomeAway, is building temporary lodging at what is arguable Paris’ most iconic structure.

The Eiffel Tower Apartment, at the first-level of the tower, was thought up by the agency, Saatchi & Saatchi. The apartment, to be revealed in June, is designed by French interior designer, Benoit Leleu, and timed with the UEFA Euro 2016 soccer championships, June 10 to July 20 (HomeAway is the tournament’s “official fan accommodations provider”).

So, how does one get to stay there? You won’t find it listed on HomeAway, unfortunately. Instead, you’ll need to enter the #EiffelTowerAllYours contest and, in a nod to the Twittersphere, explain why you want to stay there, in 140 characters or less. Four winners will be chosen to stay in the apartment on June 23, June 28, July 4, or July 8, and each can bring up to five guests. It’s a full vacation package, as meals are provided, as well as airfare and three additional nights in a HomeAway vacation rental in Paris.

According to Adweek, making the idea possible wasn’t easy, as it required various permits to build a structure within the historic monument. Although officials approved it, we don’t expect this to happen again anytime soon.

“The sleepovers that we are offering are a money can’t buy opportunity,” Saatchi & Saatchi account director, Amy Wright, told Adweek. “Only Gustav Eiffel ever used the tower as his own.”

Find out more here

Burj Khalifa

Burj-Khalifa
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Being in Dubai is weird in itself, as it’s the setting of more than a few crazy architecture. While more awe-inspiring than strange, staying at the Burj Khalifa is unlike any other hotel in that, at 154 floors, it’s the world’s tallest skyscraper – so tall, it pierces the clouds. But it isn’t just home to corporations: The record-breaking, mixed-use building also has residential apartments and a luxury hotel, and there is the world’s highest observation deck that provides an expansive view of Dubai; A Tellscope system that combines a digital telescope with augmented reality, to display information about what you’re seeing. When the heat becomes unbearable, jump into the various swimming pools, including one on the 76th floor.

Find out more here

JumboStay Hotel Arlanda

JumboStay-Hotel-Arlanda_-2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A hotel built out of a modified aircraft isn’t actually as novel as it seems, as there are several around the world to choose, from a Sikorsky helicopter to a 1950s military cargo transporter. Our favorite is the JumboStay in Stockholm, Sweden, because it satisfies our love for travel and planes – specifically, an iconic Boeing 747 that once flew for Singapore Airlines and Pan Am. It’s wacky, but, as a hotel, it’s well designed. Situated at the Arlanda International Airport, your room options range from suites to hostel-esque dorms – including one in the cockpit. There’s Wi-Fi and cable TV, naturally, and not the terribly slow kind you get while in flight, either.

Find out more here

Henn-Na Hotel

Henn-Na-Hotel_
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Wonder what living with robots in the future feels like? Check into Japan’s (where else?) Henn-Na hotel, which is staffed by artificial intelligence. We’ve written about this place before, but the weirdness deserves another visit. After checking in with the virtual reception desk, a robotic arm takes your luggage and stores it for you before you enter your room by way of facial recognition. There are limited actual humans on staff, which gives the place that sci-fi feel.

As cool (or creepy) as it seems, it’s a real test for Japan’s future. With both a declining overall population and a large aging one, the country is looking to robots to aid humans. Henn-Na might be

Find out more here

Icehotel

Icehotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While blankets are provided, we wouldn’t recommend staying at Sweden’s Icehotel if you get cold easily at night. The first of its kind when erected in 1990 (there are now many similar “buildings” around the world, including one in Quebec City, Canada), what makes it interesting is that it gets rebuilt year after year, with water taken from a nearby river. The 80-room igloo also has a church and bar. We’re not sure why it offers these amenities, possibly to allow people to pray they don’t wet themselves from drinking too much – there are no bathrooms inside the ice structure. Naturally, the Icehotel only takes reservations for the winter months.

Find out more here

SeaVentures

SeaVentures
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Oil rigs aren’t the first places that come to mind when looking for accommodations, but one in Malaysia sits above a coral reef, which makes it spectacular for divers. In addition to the rooms, which range from suites to bunks, SeaVentures offers diving courses and reef explorations.

Find out more here

Disneyland Dream Suite

Explore the Disneyland Dream Suite | Disney Vacation Club

Walt Disney had planned an exclusive apartment for entertaining important guests at Disneyland, in the 1960s, but he died before he could use it. Located in the New Orleans square section, above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the project was put aside until 2008, when it was resurrected as the Dream Suite. Being this is Disney, the room looks like a luxury setting straight out of a classic Disney animated film. Indeed, a dream for any Disney fan, but over-the-top for everyone else. Alas, Disneyland makes the space available as a prize to contest winners. Disney also has a similar special accommodation at Walt Disney World, but inside Cinderella Castle, which was originally built for Walt Disney as a private apartment (again, he died before he could use it).

Find out more here

Les Shu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Which is the best robot vacuum?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra share a lot of similarities -- the least of which is their brand name. Along with the capacity to vacuum and mop in a single cleaning cycle, the two robots can automatically empty their dustbins and clean their dirty mops once the cycle is complete. That alone makes them two of the best robot vacuums on the market.

But while there are plenty of similarities between the S8 MaxV Ultra and S8 Pro Ultra, there are a few key differences that could make one better for your home than the other. From pricing and vacuuming power to navigational skills and more, here's a comprehensive look at the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.
Pricing and availability

Read more
How to fix a Ring doorbell that won’t chime
Person installing Ring video doorbell

While Ring does make some of the best video doorbells, they aren't immune to issues with their chime. This issue is, after all, at the top of the list when it comes to video doorbell problems. But, if your Ring won't ring what should you do? We break down the procedure to get your Ring video doorbell back in action, with a step-by-step approach to troubleshooting this issue.

Read more
Ring sale: Up to 44% off video doorbells and security cameras
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 installed near a door.

Buying a video doorbell or a security camera are among the easiest ways of improving your home's security, and Ring is one of the most trusted names if you're planning to get either or both of these devices. If you're interested, there's an ongoing Ring sale on Amazon so that you wouldn't have to pay full price. The available Ring deals include standalone security gadgets and bundles, and you can get as much as 44% off their sticker prices, but only if you hurry because there's no telling how much time is remaining on these offers.

What to buy in Amazon's Ring sale
Ring is a mainstay in our lists of the best video doorbells and best home security cameras because of the helpful features that they'll provide, including 24/7 live streaming through the Ring app, two-way audio to talk to visitors outside your front door or family members inside, customizable mobile alerts, and compatibility with smart home devices that are powered by Amazon's Alexa, among many others.

Read more