Known for its oriental charm and biodiversity, Asia is a continent frequented by travelers from all over the world. Planning a vacation with your friends this holiday season? Ditch the conventional lodging spaces for a unique and totally crazy experience at these unusual hotels in Asia. Listed below are 12 most unique accommodations in Asia that you cannot afford to miss:
Hang NGA Guesthouse ĐÀ LẠT, Vietnam
The Hang NGA guesthouse in Vietnam has been nicknamed the “Crazy House” and rightfully so. Designed by architect Dang Viet Nga, the place looks like a wonderland drawing inspiration from Antoni Gaudi. There are 10 suites, each featuring a unique theme and design including root-shaped ladders, wooden animals and windows like a spider’s web. Quirky, unconventional and surreal, the lodgings look less like rooms and more like pieces of artwork! Set in the heart of a rain forest, the place sure is a wonderful reminiscence of your childhood years.
The Imperial Boathouse Hotel, Ko Samui, Thailand
Tropical countries like Thailand are known for their boathouses and nautically themed resorts; however, the Imperial Boathouse hotel in Ko Samui takes it to the next level. The hotel is made from authentic rice barges that were once transported up the Chao Praya River. The containers are renovated into luxury suites, complete with bedrooms, skylight rooms, and deck that has all the advanced facilities and perks you’d enjoy in a luxury resort. Even the pool is shaped like a boat.
Seaventures Dive Rig, Sabah, Malaysia
Seaventures combines the best of underwater adventure and modern facilities for scuba divers and adventure enthusiasts. Explore Sipadan’s rich and diverse ecosystem and marine creatures at Seaventures Dive Rig. Originally an oil rig, the place was later converted into a luxury hotel comprising 27 furnished rooms along with a movie room and karaoke bar. However, the hotel is popular for its diving, there’s a lift that takes tourists underwater to the coral reefs giving you a panoramic view of the deep ocean life.
4 Rivers Floating Lodge, Koh Kong, Cambodia
4 Rivers Floating Lodge with its picturesque surroundings and magnificent architecture sure looks like something straight out of a postcard. The floating resort is in Koh Kong and comprises of 12 tented bungalows constructed over Tatai River. A lavish, elegant and scenic hotel, the place sure takes you away from the mundane routine lifestyle to a fairy tale fantasy. However, with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, LCD TV, and a minibar, the resort does keep you grounded and connected to the real world.
Wanderlust, Singapore
Wanderlust is a resort that stays true to its name and is the perfect gateway for all the adventure junkies who are looking for an escape from reality. The incredible rugged architecture and primitive surroundings of the one of the most unusual and unique hotels in world is a refreshing change from the planned infrastructure of conventional resorts. Although the hotel looks raw and off-beat, the facilities are at par with the modern technology. Free internet connectivity, comfortable suites, and friendly staff make the place a popular choice among tourists.
Benesse House, Naoshima Island, Japan
This is for all the history lovers out there. The best place to explore the culture and heritage of any country is by visiting the art galleries and museums of the place. Now, imagine living inside a museum. The Benesse hotel located in Naoshima Islands, Japan is the perfect blend of a museum and a lodging area. Built by Soichiro Fukutake, a billionaire art collector, the place is split into several wings. Art collectors and historians can also explore the critically acclaimed works of Twombly, Johns, Gormley, and Monet.
Kumbuk Hotel, Buttala, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is the country of lush green vegetation and biodiversity, the Kumbuk hotel located on the banks of Kumbbukam Oyan River looks something like an elephant or a paper mache structure that went grotesquely wrong. The odd architecture of the hotel is constructed from wood and straw, an eco-friendly alternative to cement and brick. Surrounded by the local flora and fauna, the hotel is at its primitive best. However, on the downside, the place does lack the advanced facilities and high-tech perks you’d get anywhere else.
Container Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Container hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is perhaps the best example of the saying, “good things come in small packages”. The compactness and unusual construction of the place make the hotel a hit among travelers. The resort is built from recyclable freight containers that have been renovated into colorful and vibrant suites. Here, guests can enjoy the best of facilities including free internet connectivity. However, the place is not apt for long-term stays. If you’re looking for a few nights of rest before you next big adventure, then this is the place for you.
Sharma Springs, Bali, Indonesia
There are loads of tree-houses and wooden cabins popping up in all corners of Southeast Asia, however, nothing can beat Sharma Springs when it comes to aesthetic design and facilities. Set in the heart of wilderness and raw natural foliage, the six-storey resort is one of the best examples of eco-tourism in Bali. Located on the slopes of river Ayung River in Bali, Green Village is a community of 18 customized homes; the most magnificent of them is the Sharma Springs. The place comes with 4 bedrooms, a kitchen, a barbecue, a media room, lounge, and kid’s playing area.
Taj Lake Palace, India
Taj Lake Palace in the historical city of Udaipur is one of the most romantic places in the world. The resort floats serenely on an isolated island in Lake Pichola. The place looks every bit of the royal and elegant structure with its ancient architectural designs and white marble construction. Very beautiful, mystical and sophisticated, the resort has attracted some famous celebrities of the world such as Vivian Leigh, Lord Curzon, and Queen Elizabeth.
Panda Inn, China
Everyone loves pandas! However, the cute cuddly animals are an endangered species. The Panda Inn is an initiative by China to spread awareness in the public against illegal poaching. With over 32 panda themed rooms, each featuring a unique décor and theme is a hit among environmentalists and panda lovers. There is a titanic themed suite portraying panda pictured as Jack and Rose, and even a Sailor themed suite! Even the staff is dressed in panda costumes, that though innovative look slightly terrifying.
Red Rose Hotel, Thailand
The Red Rose Hotel in Thailand fulfills your fantasy of living in a fairy tale. Most hotels pick a singular theme and then build the entire infrastructure around it. Here at Red Rose, each room has a different theme and a completely unique structure that would blow your mind. The place clearly has no qualms about letting their imagination run wild! Here guests get to sleep on suspended boats or up in the clouds. Lose yourself in the lush green foliage of rainforests, or deep under the ocean, the hotel offers it all.
The tourism industry has had a total makeover over the past years. More and more adventure hotels and boutique resorts are popping up in the remote corners of the planet. Travelers today want an unusual holiday peppered with wacky experiences.
