Unusual and interesting hotels to stay in: 10 of the world's quirkiest rooms

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Unusual and interesting hotels to stay in: 10 of the world's quirkiest rooms

By Brian Johnston
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If you've had enough of bland and predictable hotels, think outside the square room – and into a sphere or a cylinder. For travellers with a sense of adventure, here are 10 unusual places sure to provide an interesting sleep.

DRAINPIPE, OTTENSHEIM, AUSTRIA

Guests at Das Parkhotel near Linz get a personal access code that opens the door to a repurposed concrete drainpipe. Your barrel-shaped room has a large enough diameter to be able to stand upright. Don't expect more than a double bed, bedside table and lamp; an electrical outlet caters to device charging. Public toilet and shower facilities are a shuffle away. Guests are allowed to judge the cost – and donate accordingly. See dasparkhotel.net

CAVE, UCHISAR, TURKEY: Central Turkey's Cappadocia​ region is renowned for its underground dwellings, but the Taskonaklar Hotel takes cave living to another level. Deluxe suites feature an open fireplace, Jacuzzi and the luxuries of any boutique hotel. In summer, the surrounding stone supplies delicious coolness. Built into a hillside, the resort captures sweeping views over the Pigeon Valley's peculiar and wonderful rock formations – at least from the flower-draped terraces beyond the often windowless rooms.

CAVE, UCHISAR, TURKEY: Central Turkey's Cappadocia​ region is renowned for its underground dwellings, but the Taskonaklar Hotel takes cave living to another level. Deluxe suites feature an open fireplace, Jacuzzi and the luxuries of any boutique hotel. In summer, the surrounding stone supplies delicious coolness. Built into a hillside, the resort captures sweeping views over the Pigeon Valley's peculiar and wonderful rock formations – at least from the flower-draped terraces beyond the often windowless rooms.

SPHERE, QUALICUM, CANADA

These for-sale moveable pods, made of laminated wood and fibreglass, are hung from trees using any of four attachment points. But you don't have to buy your own: three can be rented on the west coast of Vancouver Island, whose rainforest boasts some of the world's tallest trees. Because the suspended spheres aren't fixed, they sway gently like a rocking cradle and are said to provide the perfect sleep. See freespiritspheres.com

LIGHTHOUSE, KANGAROO ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

Guestroom in a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland.

Guestroom in a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland.

There's no doubting the romantic lure of lighthouses and the chance they offer for windswept views in dramatic locations. Cape Willoughby Lightstation is only one of numerous lighthouses around Australia that offers accommodation. Its location on a wild promontory is perfect for catching sunsets and storms. The 1920s lighthouse-keepers' cottages are self catering and have an agreeable pioneer atmosphere; just don't forget the milk, as it's a long drive into town. See environment.sa.gov.au

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TREE HOUSE, KAIKOURA, NEW ZEALAND

Hapuku Lodge on the South Island is proof that tree houses can be done on a grand and comfortable scale. The resort includes a restaurant and massage room along with its tree-high accommodation, which sees guests perched 10 metres above a native manuka forest. Rain showers open onto treetop decks. There's a touch of the forest inside this retreat too, with bespoke interior furnishings created from native wood. See hapukulodge.com

TENT, MASAI MARA, KENYA

When does a campsite become a hotel? Perhaps when the luxury has ratcheted up to a level that makes you forget you're under canvas. That's certainly the case at Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, around which zebra and wildebeest wander. The split-level tents feature leather armchairs, polished floorboards, a 1930's ambience and private bathrooms – not to mention a personal butler. Beyond is an infinity pool with views to the wildlife. See andbeyond.com

MIRRORED CUBE, HARADS, SWEDEN

The spectacular Treehotel in northern Sweden is made up of six separate, architect-designed tree houses that dramatically haul the rustic kids' favourite into the high-tech 21st century. Each is unique: one resembles a bird's nest, one a comic-book UFO. The most spectacular is a mirrored cube that reflects the surrounding forest and seems to disappear. Once aloft, there are magnificent views of the forest and Lule River valley. See treehotel.se

See: Move over IKEA, this hotel has the world's coolest rooms

CANVAS POD, LES CERNIERS, SWITZERLAND

Soothe your eco-friendly conscience without sacrificing luxury at this collection of pods in the Valais region of the Swiss Alps, huddled around a mother chalet complete with dining room and sauna. Each pod has a proper bathroom and wood-burning stove that you'll have to stoke yourself. An outdoor deck and expansive "window" of see-through panels provide inspiring mountain views and allows you to gaze at the stars from your bed. See whitepod.com

CAVE, UCHISAR, TURKEY

Central Turkey's Cappadocia​ region is renowned for its underground dwellings, but the Taskonaklar Hotel takes cave living to another level. Deluxe suites feature an open fireplace, Jacuzzi and the luxuries of any boutique hotel. In summer, the surrounding stone supplies delicious coolness. Built into a hillside, the resort captures sweeping views over the Pigeon Valley's peculiar and wonderful rock formations – at least from the flower-draped terraces beyond the often windowless rooms. See taskonaklar.com

JAIL, BOSTON, THE US

There are several converted jail-hotels where you can bunk down in a cell for the night, mostly backpacker-style establishments. Not so Liberty Hotel in an infamous former Boston jail, which supplies considerable luxury chic while maintaining some of the prison's basic structure, including its granite exterior, central atrium, wrought-iron window bars and catwalks. You can pick your own cell at CLINK restaurant for an intimate dinner for two. See libertyhotel.com

IGLOO, KAKSLAUTTANEN, FINLAND

It might be minus 40 Celsius outside, but inside a snow igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort it's a positively balmy minus six (don't worry, an efficient down sleeping bag will keep you snug). Visitors can also opt for a glass igloo, perfect for stargazing or seeing the Northern Lights without getting out of bed. Husky rides, reindeer safaris, snowmobile excursions and ice fishing keep you occupied during the day. See kakslauttanen.fi

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