From Ice to Treehouses: Unique Hotels Around the World

“ICEHOTEL,” Sweden: An Ephemeral Work of Art

Deep in Swedish Lapland, in Jukkasjärvi, stands a hotel that literally melts away and is reinvented every year, almost like a temporary museum. Here, you don’t just sleep in a room – you sleep in an ephemeral sculpture. The “ICEHOTEL” is the world’s first hotel built entirely of ice and snow.  

Artists from around the world redesign the hotel’s suites every year, making each visit unique. You’ll sleep in thermal sleeping bags on reindeer hides at a constant temperature of minus five degrees Celsius, while the Northern Lights dance above you. Thanks to the new “ICEHOTEL 365” concept, you can now experience the icy design even in the summer. 

“Giraffe Manor,” Kenya: Breakfast in the Company of Animals

In Nairobi, there’s a unique hotel that’s perfect for kicking off or wrapping up a safari: “Giraffe Manor,” a stately estate from the 1930s, is reminiscent of the movie “Out of Africa.”  

What makes this hotel unique is that a herd of rare Rothschild giraffes lives in a large nearby nature reserve and regularly comes to visit. You might even see a giraffe stretching its long neck through the window to snag a few treats during breakfast. Here, picture-perfect romance is pretty close to reality. Since the hotel has only twelve rooms, which are almost always fully booked, it’s advisable to make a reservation well in advance.

Interesting fact: You can reach the legendary “Giraffe Manor” in Nairobi via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). With the Platinum Card and the included “Priority Pass” membership, you can enjoy relaxed access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide before your flight or during layovers. For your onward journey to your safari or for trips within the city, the Platinum Card also gives you access to first-class status benefits and upgrades with Avis, Hertz, or SIXT. 

“Conrad Maldives Rangali Island,” Maldives: Sleeping Surrounded by Sharks

Luxury is plentiful in the Maldives, but the “Conrad Maldives Rangali Island” in South Ari Atoll takes it to the next level – or rather, puts on a pair of diving goggles. With “The Muraka” residence, the resort is home to the world’s first villa whose master bedroom is located five meters below sea level inside an acrylic dome.

As sharks and rays glide by, you’ll wake up here to a 180-degree view of colorful coral gardens and reef sharks. In addition to the underwater residence, there are also beach and water villas, family-friendly options, and a spa overlooking the lagoon. The Maldives is already a dream destination – the “Conrad Rangali Island” unveils a whole new world beneath the waves. 

“Amangiri,” Utah (USA): Minimalism in the Desert

Tucked away among the red rocks of Utah, near Lake Powell, lies “Amangiri,” a masterpiece of architectural minimalism that seems to blend seamlessly with the dramatic desert landscape. It is less a hotel than an architectural oasis of tranquility in a landscape that already resembles a movie set.

What makes it special: The suites are designed to frame the rugged aesthetics of the canyons. Exposed concrete, wood, and natural stone dominate the design to reflect the colors of the desert. The pool, built directly around a massive, millennia-old rock formation, is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

“Fogo Island Inn,” Canada: At the End of the World

Perched on stilts above the North Atlantic along Newfoundland’s rugged coastline, the “Fogo Island Inn” combines spectacular architecture with a regenerative business model: 100 percent of the profits are reinvested in the local community. This makes the “Fogo Island Inn” not only a design icon and wilderness lodge, but also a social enterprise.

Each of the 29 individually designed rooms offers a view through floor-to-ceiling windows directly onto the wild ocean and, in the spring, of passing icebergs. The design is both modern and traditional: every piece of furniture was crafted by local artisans using time-honored traditions.

“NIHI Sumba,” Indonesia: The Soul of the Wild

On the remote Indonesian island of Sumba, “NIHI Sumba” offers a form of luxury known as “Edge of Wildness.” Here, it’s not about opulence, but about connecting with nature and culture. Through the Sumba Foundation, the hotel – which has been voted the world’s best hotel multiple times – supports the local population in the areas of education and health.

The hotel, which positions itself as a blend of luxury resort, adventure base, and culturally rooted island experience, is located at “Occy’s Left,” one of the world’s most exclusive surf breaks. You can also ride horses along the beach or visit local villages. 

“Treehotel,” Sweden: Architectural Dreams Among the Treetops

If you dreamed of a treehouse as a child, you’ll love the “Treehotel” in Harads, northern Sweden. Here, futuristic sculptures hang in the middle of the forest, and a stay here instantly puts you in a state of relaxation. It’s all about architecture in dialogue with nature. You’ll stay at eye level with the birds, surrounded by nothing but deep Swedish forest.

Each “room” at the “Treehotel” was designed by a different architect, making each one a unique architectural statement. Among them are “The Mirrorcube,” which is nearly invisible in the forest thanks to its reflective facade, a giant “Bird’s Nest,” and “The UFO.”