IceHotel, Sweden
Luxurious design, an exclusive menu, staff that’s able to anticipate the wishes of each guest… Any modern traveler worth their salt is hardly surprised by any of this. If you want a bright and unforgettable trip, maybe you would like to go to a place where you can get a unique experience without even leaving the hotel?
Desert Villas
The Amangiri resort, located in the southern part of Utah, offers an opportunity to gaze upon the desert sands, watch the sunsets and sunrises in awe, admires the bizarre and truly cosmic landscapes of the canyons, find spiritual harmony near the majestic mountains and endless dunes, and all without having to deny yourself extravagant service.
This luxury resort is considered an oasis in the desert: the villas and other buildings are built on the territory of the Grand Escalante National Monument and were built from natural materials that fit seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Privacy is highly respected here. However, each villa has its own patio and panoramic windows. If you wish, you can feel one with nature without even leaving your room.
Lake Palace
Lovers of antique luxury, modern technology, and extraordinary experiences will surely love the hotel Taj Lake Palace, which is a part of the Jag Niwas Palace. The property is located on an island in the middle of Lake Pichola in the Indian city of Udaipur.
Originally constructed in 1746 out of exotic white marble, this palace is the former seat of the Indian royal dynasty of Mewar. In the 1960s, the palace became the first luxury hotel in the city. Since its opening, Jacqueline Kennedy, Vivien Leigh, the King of Nepal, the Shah of Iran, the British Queen Elizabeth, and many other famous guests have become patrons of this amazing establishment. Until 1971, the hotel was managed by the current head of the royal dynasty, Maharana Mahendra Singh, and then transferred to the Indian company Taj Hotels. The interiors of the palace-hotel have retained the royal luxury and variety of styles that have added to the hotel’s opulence over several centuries. 65 rooms and 18 luxurious suites offer amazing views of the lake, mountains, and the palace Jag Mandir, which is located on another island. The hotel’s beautiful courtyard, decorated with fountains and artificial ponds can also be seen. The hotel provides boat transfers for guests and also offers a unique perk – Jiva spa service while gently cruising on the lake.
Hotel Taj Lake Palace is traditionally included in the lists of the best hotels in the world. In 2019, it was ranked third in The Best Hotels in the World, Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award.
Among the Branches of the Jungle
For lovers of unique experiences, patrons who aren’t strangers to extreme tours, and ecotourism fans – the Treehouse Lodge hotel in Peru is situated in the depths of the Amazon jungle. 12 bungalow houses are conveniently perched… atop trees, at a height of 10 to 22.8 m above the ground, and are connected by suspension bridges. A stay here offers an amazing opportunity to watch colorful birds, nimble monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and other jungle inhabitants without ever leaving your room! Moreover, the bungalows have no walls to speak of, sans some bamboo partitions and mosquito nets, so that the guests experience being a part of nature in the most literal sense. The bungalows’ amenities include a shower and toilet, but there is no hot water. However, the hotel guests say that the breathtaking views, exciting excursions with a personal guide, fishing for piranhas, and swimming with river dolphins more than make up for this slight inconvenience.
Ice Kingdom
An unforgettable experience is waiting for those who aren’t afraid of a little cold at the various hotels that operate during the winter in northern Europe and Canada. These palaces feature halls, galleries, guest rooms, restaurants, and other public spaces, that are rebuilt every year from snow and ice. For example, the Lapland Hotels SnowVillage ice castle, which is located in Finland and roughly 200 km from the Arctic Circle, about 20 million kg of snow and 350,000 kg of pure natural ice are used annually in its construction. Meanwhile, the only ice hotel in North America, the Hotel de Glace, located near Quebec (Canada), requires about 30 million kg of snow and 500,000 kg of ice for its construction. The indoor temperature is kept in the range of 0 to -5 degrees Celsius. Unsurprisingly, all the indoor furniture is also made of snow and ice, and you are invited to sleep on an ice bed! But don’t dismay, each guest is provided a sleeping bag and warm, cozy bedspreads. The showers and bathrooms are located in warmed buildings next to the ice palace. In the Canadian Hotel de Glace, some of the rooms have fireplaces that were specially designed for the ice hotel. Those who are fond of sharp contrast are invited to visit the winter spa, which features hot tubs in the open winter air. Out of concern for the guests’ health, the hotels’ creators do not recommend spending more than one consecutive night in the ice rooms.
For those wishing to visit an ice palace during the warm seasons, you are more than welcome in the Swedish Icehotel, which is located in the village of Jukkasjärvi. Famous designers and ice sculpture masters from all over the world annually take part in the creation of the decoration of the rooms and public spaces in the Icehotel. There is even a functioning ice church, where about 140 couples get married every winter and up to 20 children are baptized annually. Family events that take place in such a unique environment will surely be remembered for life.