Bizarre places to stay around the world – including a plane, a tall ship, a railway carriage, a giant dog, a boot and a drainpipe.
Hotels mostly come in a fairly standard rectangular box shape. But that’s not exciting enough for some people – they clearly won’t accept the ordinary, and have made their hotels, hostels and guesthouses look absolutely ridiculous. Whether it’s giant dogs and boots or converted cranes, trains and planes, there are some incredibly odd-looking places just begging to be stayed at…
Strange accommodation | A plane
Where? Stockholm, Sweden
Taking the concept of the airport hotel to its logical conclusion is the new Jumbo Hostel outside Stockholm’s Arlanda airport. Owner Oscar Dios has bought a Boeing 747, gutted it and turned it into accommodation. The premium rooms are in the cockpit, but there are 85 beds in total. Oscar now plans on turning the Jumbo Hostel concept into a chain.
Those that claim not to be able to sleep on a plane are probably best giving it a wide birth, even though things are somewhat more comfortable than the wedged into cattle class experience.
A tall ship
Where? Stockholm, Sweden
Competing with the Jumbo Hostel for gimmicky transport-themed accommodation in the Swedish capital is Af Chapman. An old style ship that has previously been called into service as a post office and a place to store firewood, it has now been turned into a novelty hostel.
Sat on its own island, the cabins have been turned into dorms, although some of them have been restored to the original style. It’s a bit like being on a cruise, without the moving part.
A giant dog
Where? Cottonwood, Idaho, United States
Who cares if it’s in the middle of nowhere – anyone who doesn’t want to stay at the Dog Bark Park Inn has got something seriously wrong with them.
It was built by a pair of chainsaw artists with a bit of a soft spot for beagles. They decided to work on a piece of art that was slightly bigger than the norm, and ended up with a big dog.
They put beds inside, furnished it, put steps on the other side and – ta da – the silliest looking hotel in the world was born.
A drainpipe
Where? Ottensheim, Austria
Sat in a picturesque location in a park by the River Danube, Dasparkhotel is essentially a few concrete drainpipes in the middle of a park. Each has a double bed shunted into it, and guests are also provided with blankets and a power point. For other amenities – including the toilet – a walk across the park is required.
The other odd thing is that there’s no cost – guests are asked to donate whatever they thought the accommodation was worth.
A railway carriage
Where: Petworth, West Sussex, England
The Old Railway Station in Petworth has been closed for a long time, but instead of knocking it down and putting something else there, it has been converted into a hotel. Most of the railway paraphernalia remains, including the old signs, and the whole place is a bit of a time warp.
The best rooms are those in the old Pullman carriages, which sit next to the station.
A crane
Where: Harlingen, Netherlands
What to the outsider looks like an ordinary crane by the harbour is actually a luxury hotel. For just two people. The crane has been fitted with a lift, and the interior of the cabin has been turned into a plush abode with all the creature comforts. There’s a double shower, designer furniture and a DVD player.
But that probably won’t interest the boys, as this is still a working crane and it is possible to swing it around using the controls in the bedroom.
A boot
Where: Tasman, New Zealand
Remember the rubbish old fairy story about an old woman who lived in a shoe? Well the chaps at The Boot Bed and Breakfast clearly thought that was a splendid idea.
They’ve gone about creating a boot-shaped guesthouse, and have somehow managed to squeeze the rooms, showers and amenities around the curves of the old shoe. It’s hardly the most luxurious accommodation in the world, but you have to admire the fact they ignored everyone telling them that it was a stupid idea and building it anyway.
This article was originally written for Ninemsn.
Copyright David Whitley
