Unusual Hotels & Restaurants

Put a stop on the hunt for that perfect summer getaway with the Les luxes of almost unbelievable hotels and restaurants. Lounge in a bubble, shack up in a cave, dine in a historic carriage or live a bit of the pixie-elf life, the choices are endless and getting crazier by the minute.

Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Surprise, surprise. Spectacular ice castles don’t just exist in Narnia. Deeply tucked within the austerity of the Arctic Circle, under the twinkling stars and the northern lights, stands the Icehotel.

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A hotel and art exhibition, it is exquisitely carved and sculpted out of snow and ice chunks from Europe’s last untouched river, Torne. Every winter, 40 artists come together to create new and unique suites that go back into the river with the advent of summer, while Icehotel 365, its permanent counterpart, thrives 365 days a year.

Amidst the glistening snow clad forests holding a temperature of -5 to -8 degrees Celsius, drink to glory in an ice bar, marvel at artworks in an ice gallery, sleep in reindeer hides, go husky sledding and indulge in some steaming hot kettle coffee. While you’re there, you can probably get your hands on the off-the-shelf items for an icy souvenir.

Address: www.icehotel.com

Attrap'Rêves Hotel, Allauch, France

Blowing bubbles is probably one of our fondest childhood memories but we aren’t kids anymore and nor are our bubbles going to ever burst. Designers Frédéric Richard and Pierre-Stéphane Dumas, with their eco-friendly, luxury bubble hotel, have turned the phrase ‘live in a bubble’ into a beautiful, dreamy reality.

Out in the wilderness, in the very lap of nature, these portable, climate-controlled bubbles are set up in close proximity to wooden outhouses. Crafted out of plastic, constantly inflated by a silent blower which also functions as an air cleaner, they cover a mere 13 feet but are soundproof, elegantly furnished and equipped with water, electricity and a telescope for all those celestial enthusiasts.

A panoramic view of the starscape and an unparalleled experience of natural landscapes (minus the harsh outdoor climate and insects) from inside a real bubble - that’s totally worth ditching the citylights for a while.

Address: www.attrap-reves.com

Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort, Matera, Italy

We started out as cavemen and went on to conquer the world. But I guess it’d be a good thing to return to our roots every once in a while, especially, if the roots themselves have evolved. Yes, the cave is no longer a raw, humble abode, it is pure luxury and splendid beauty.

Modestly nestled among the tufa caves, which were once individual cave dwellings, each of the 23 rooms is fascinatingly distinct from the other, accessible only through a series of the city’s original alleys, stairs and patios, preserving the beauty of the landscape. The suites are equipped with an attached terrace or lounge, elegant furnishings, soothing neutral colors, subtly diffused lighting and all contemporary facilities including essential gadgets, mini-bar and even DVD projectors.

So, revel in the historical allure and breathtaking scenery of the Sassi, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as you enjoy a modern-day twist of the prehistoric times.

Address: www.santangeloresort.it

Montaña Mágica Lodge, Chile

While we mortal creatures swooned over modest tree houses, there existed a mysterious fortress, looking like it sprung straight out of a fairytale.

Hidden inside the unexplored temperate rainforests of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Huilo Huilo, Montaña Mágica, requires you to risk your life (not literally) at a monkey bridge, to reach it. Flaunting a façade of mountain contours replicated in stone, it is covered in lush green mosses and a fantastical stream of spa water flows from it’s top.

You may assume it is a volcano housing mischievous elves, but this eco-lodge is one of the world’s most intriguing hotels. Equipped with a mini-golf course, restro-bar and 14 rooms, integrally built from stone and wood, it is adorned with the rustic, traditional Chilean décor.

So, ogle at the Huilo-Huilo Falls, try to spot a Pudu (the world’s smallest deer), soak in the tree trunk hot tubs and let the adrenaline rush through your system at the longest zip line system in South America.

Address: www.huilohuilo.com

Sala Silvermine, Sweden

In the very depths of the Earth, untouched by a breath of fresh air and devoid of any signs of life, an otherworldly experience awaits you (And no, I’m not bluffing.) The Sala Silvermine, that used to be one of the largest silver deposits in the world, during its peak years is now a hauntingly beautiful, one of a kind luxury suite 155 meters deep beneath the realm of the living.

Hear a first hand account of its journey as you tour through the honeycomb of excavated tunnels and static lakes before retiring to the private chamber for a silent night. Tunneled out of humungous rocks, the room is equipped with silver furnishings, leather loungers, a delicate chandelier and a lovely food basket (well, to be honest, they had me at chocolate, wine and cheese).

Disconnect yourself from the usual humdrum and gear up for the adventures of an underground abode, cave diving and a high wire track, in the mysterious caverns.

Address: www.salasilvermine.com

Manta Resort, Pemba Island

Elegantly anchored amidst the majestic waves of Indian Ocean, right off the coast of Tanzania, lies this Swedish engineered underwater hotel, Manta Resort.

Experience the intoxicating freshness of the sea, in not one but three different prospects. Laze around on the landing deck, relishing in the dampness of the seabreeze. Or take the stairway to sprawl out on the terrace deck for some sunbathing and intense stargazing, once night befalls. The most magical though would be stare into the fascinating infinity of the turquoise waters from the glass-walled bedchamber and explore marine life in its most unadulterated forms, as shoals of exotic fishes swim around colorful coral heads. Sit back and indulge in delicious tropical meals, take up sea excursions and go diving, snorkeling and kayaking.

Stuff your suitcase with a lot of books and bathing suits and head for the solitude of the most offbeat holiday.

Address: www.themantaresort.com

Basement Galley, London

Brainchild of head chef Alex Cooper, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, Basement Galley is London’s classic "Underground Supper Club" experience come alive.

Unwind in the historic, decommissioned 1967 Victoria Line tube carriage with a plate of French Brasserie style Scandinavian flavours and a band of people passionate about good food and enthusiastic about new friendships. A sneak peek from the Summer-2017 Menu flaunts raspberry ganache tart, roasted marinated yellow courgette, Pont Neuf fries and fillet of sea bream with a beurre noisette among numerous more exotic dishes. Hungry yet? And let’s not forget the heavily stocked all-night bar. (They hand out complimentary cocktails on arrival!) That said, book your table for some fancy wine and fine dine in the gourmet supper club, right in a tube.

Address: www.basementgalley.com

Vampire Café, Tokyo

It’s a tragedy that Bram Stoker couldn’t revel in the creepy landscape of this bloodstruck diner. But you can. Step into the vampiric demeanor of this Café, where the interiors are inspired from the castle of Dracula himself.

Thick beaded drapes obscure the crucifixes, skulls and the mighty coffins of the undead, while the staff walks around dressed in signature tuxedos and French maid outfits on blood-spattered floors. If the red and black velvet weren’t spooky enough, there’s flickering lights and sinister Baroque music reverberating in the background. As you eat coffin cakes and fleshy foods from burial caskets, make sure not to ram into the coffins and control that bloodlust because its just one blood cocktail that’s on the house.

Quick tip, don’t forget to carry some garlic (it’s gotta be the perfect place for the night crawlers to hide in plain sight).

Treepod Dining at Soneva Kiri Resort & Residences, Thailand

Since we can’t soar in the endless skies like a carefree bird, we set out to discover other intriguing aspects of the beaky, winged life.

In Koh Kood’s glorious green tropical forestry, Soneva Kiri Resort is taking the fine dining experience to new heights, true to the word. Find out what its like to live in a nest, as you make yourself comfortable in a private rustic chic bamboo pod, suspended 16 feet above the ground and sheltered amidst a leafy canopy. They claim to bombard you with some soul satisfying Thai and Mediterranean delicacies (watch out for the lovely homemade cheese and their own-smoked salmon), all hoisted up via a zip-line. Go, take in the breathtaking beauty of the waves kissing the seashore and the panorama of stunning rainforests, because bird’s eye view isn’t just a perspective anymore.

Address: www.soneva.com

A380 In-Flight Kitchen, Taiwan

Get welcomed on board a flight devoid of the hassle of fastening seatbelts or gulping with fear at scary turbulences.

Treating you to a simulated airplane experience of Airbus A380 - the most spacious passenger aircraft in the world, is the A380 In-Flight Kitchen that issues boarding passes only to the waitlisted guests while others can just hop in for the ride. Clad in the uniforms of flight attendants, waiters serve your meals in a plastic tray as you slouch on airline seats equipped with white napkins on headrests and glass fitted oval windows along the pristine white walls. They have successfully recreated baggage compartments and have also designed first class seats, which occupy 20 per cent of the diner.

Forget security checks and motion sickness, drink to your heart’s content and order your own in-flight meal that tastes nothing like an in-flight meal.