Looking to go a little out of our comfort zone, when it comes to picking a place to stay, on your travels? Regular hotels just don’t appeal to you much anymore? Our list of places may be a little weird and quirky, but boy are they unique! From staying in a random person’s house to sleeping in a cave, these unusual places are sure to make your holiday a whole lot more exciting and unpredictable!
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Glass pods in New Zealand
Everyone knows that New Zealand is THE place to go if reconnecting with nature is on your agenda, and what better way to actually live and breathe nature than to do it staying in a futuristic glass pod, completely surrounded by the great outdoors! The PurePod allows guests to stay in total isolation, surrounded by the breathtaking natural landscapes that New Zealand is renowned for. Made of glass - from roof to floor, and wall to wall - the PurePod ensures you are totally immersed in, and have a front row seat to New Zealand’s native bush. Fall asleep under a sky full of stars, on a comfortable bed, and wake up to the chirp of birds and the sight of rolling hills, lush greenery and the stunning blue sky!
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Homestay in Laos
One of the best ways to learn about the history of a place; such as Laos, the culture and traditions of its locals, the food they eat, and their way of life, is to actually stay with them in their own homes. Being a guest in a traditional Lao village is an experience you would never get by just staying in a hotel. While a homestay will have to be arranged in advance, just like a stay at a hotel would, homestays offer a more authentic, immersive experience. Not only do you get the chance to explore the area’s hidden gems, you also get to see first-hand how the locals earn their livelihood - through harvesting rice, fishing and so on, and get to taste delicious local dishes, and participate in local ceremonies.
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Glamping in Australia
Want to experience Australia’s beautiful natural surroundings, but can’t see yourself sleeping in anything other than a super comfy bed covered in 200 thread count bedding? Then, glamping or ‘glamorous camping’ is for you! With postcard-perfect natural beauty, ranging from stunning white-sand beaches, to bushland, magnificent mountains and a wonderful selection of flora and fauna, Australia is probably one of the best places in the world to go glamping! With all the luxuries a high-end resort has to offer, staying in a yurt, a tent, a treehouse, a log cabin, or a tipi has truly never been more glamorous.
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Desert camping in Morocco
When in Morocco, there is no way you can pass up the opportunity to camp out in the desert, which happens to make up a large part of the country’s geography. Camping in the tranquil and magical Moroccan Sahara Desert, in our opinion, is a must-include in every individual’s bucket list. What better way to admire the renowned desert than to actually stay in the midst of it!? With numerous tour options available, travelers will have to choose the one that suits their needs the most. They will not only get the chance to sleep under a sky full of stars on the sand of the Moroccan Sahara, but riding a camel, exploring the desert’s dunes, and witnessing the stunning sunrise, are also part of the experience.
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Time Capsule Retreat in Malaysia
The Time Capsule Retreat in Pahang offers its guests a weird but strangely enticing opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, by giving them the chance to experience what it would be like to actually stay in sewer pipes. You heard us right! The cylindrical rooms, which are decked out well enough for a comfortable stay, are surrounded by lush forests that offer a sense of tranquility and magnificent views. While the peace and quiet, and the views, at the retreat may be enough for guests looking to unwind and relax, others looking for thrill and adventure can explore the area on foot or ATV’s. Apart from beautiful plants and trees, guests will discover waterfalls and a river, tunnels to mines, a hanging bridge and loads more that will keep them occupied for days.
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Robot-run Hotel in Japan
Until the world gets taken over by robots, staying in a robot run hotel is as unique as it gets for now! Japan's robot hotel - Henn-na Hotel - is the first of its kind in the world. Using advanced technology, the hotel is staffed by a robotic dinosaur at the front desk for English speaking guests, and a Japanese speaking female humanoid, a porter robot service that delivers the guests luggage to their rooms, as well as a robot arm locker service. Instead of regular keys or cards to unlock the rooms, a facial authentication system is used. Staying at the hi-tech hotel, that seems to have been taken right out of the Jetsons, sure is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will never be forgotten.
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Cave Hotels in Turkey
A stay in one of the cave hotels, or inns, in Cappadocia is an absolute must when paying the region; known for its fairy chimneys and beautiful natural sites, a visit. This unique lodging experience offers guests the chance to stay in a cave, constructed by hollowing out soft volcanic rock. The cave hotels were once traditional Cappadocian dwellings, but have now been carefully restored and designed and turned into hotels with all the modern amenities. Staying in a cave hotel is a great way to experience what the area is about, and is sure to make a trip all the more unforgettable.
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Treetop rooms in Sweden
Experience the beauty of nature like never before, by spending a couple of days in a treeroom! The unique Treehotel, located in Harads, Sweden gives guests the chance to see the area from an unusual perspective - from amongst the tree-tops! Suspended 4 to 6 metres above ground, the designer tree houses offer stunning views of the surrounding forest, along with the Lule River and valley, and allows them to unwind, and bond with nature. Whether it’s a romantic break, or an adventure for the family, you’re looking for, the eco-friendly hotel is the ideal option for all!
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Caravan through United Kingdom
With the United Kingdom being so vast and beautiful, and offering countless things to do and see, and home to hundreds of official camp and caravan sites, we think caravanning is probably one of the best ways to explore it. Whether you have only a weekend to travel, or a month, caravanning is a great option, especially for those looking for an affordable yet spontaneous holiday, the road will truly be your oyster! Not only will the stunning scenery, the numerous fun attractions, and the excitement of living in a caravan, get the kids all pumped up, grown-ups are also sure to have a holiday adventure like no other. No need to worry about cramming everything you need into a suitcase. Just load up the spacious caravan, and hit the road!
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Stay with the locals Everywhere Else
While staying with the locals maybe last on our list, it’s probably our most favorite! With things like couchsurfing, homestays, withlocals.com and AirBnB growing more in popularity, it is now not only easy for travelers looking for other accommodation options to find suitable places, but also great for those looking to connect more with the destination they’re visiting, as well as with the locals. You can find hosts with common interests - share your passions with them and have them teach you theirs, learn about their culture and traditions, and the best things to do in an area, tour with them, get valuable travel tips, and eat what they eat, all the while making new friends, be it locals or other travelers like you!
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Check out more of HalalTrip’s Best 10 lists of 2016 here!
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