When you’re travelling in Europe, it’s normal to find the cheapest hostels for a budget-friendly experience. However, if you’re looking to enhance your stay, you can spend a little bit more on your accommodation to make your trip unforgettable. There’s so many unique places you can hang your hat during your travels from mountain side cabins to treehouse stays, you’re sure to find the perfect unique accommodation for your personal style.
This guide will explore some of the most unique European accommodations that can instantly enhance your experience. Continue reading to get inspiration into your next adventure in Europe and where you can stay to improve your trip.
Unique European Accommodations
Treehotel – Harads, Sweden
Tucked away in the serene pine forests of Harads, Sweden, the Treehotel offers an accommodation experience that is one-of-a-kind. It’s a place where childhood fantasy meets high-end, contemporary design. What makes the Treehotel such a unique European stay is its collection of distinct, architect-designed treerooms that are suspended high in the forest canopy.
Rather than a single hotel building, guests are invited to stay in their own private accommodation. Each room is a masterpiece of design, created by different Scandinavian architects to provide a different perspective and a unique sense of place.
Icehotel – Jukkasjarvi, Sweden
Located 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, the Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi in Sweden is a bucket-list destination. Each winter, the entire hotel is rebuilt from scratch using snow and ice harvested from the nearby Torne River. This means that every year, a new team of international artists creates a fresh collection of unique Art Suites, ensuring that no two visits are ever the same.
Guests are provided with thermal sleeping bags and reindeer hides to stay warm on their ice beds, as well as a morning wake-up call including a hot cup of lingonberry juice. The hotel also features an iconic Icebar where drinks are served in glasses made of ice, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
Whitepod – Montey, Switzerland
Whitepod offers a unique and luxurious European getaway, as it has a unique take on the traditional mountain retreat. Guests stay in geodesic pods that blend seamlessly into the alpine landscape, giving them a wonderful sleeping environment. These pods are eco-friendly tents that provide a cosy sleeping place with all the comforts of a five-star hotel.
Guests can wake up to breathtaking panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and the Rhône Valley through a large window, giving a sense of being completely surrounded by the natural world. In addition to the unique lodging, the resort offers exclusive access to its own ski slopes and a wide range of year-round activities.
Kakslauttanen Igloo West Village – Saariselka, Finland
The resort’s most famous feature is its glass igloos, where guests can sleep under the stars and witness the Northern Lights from the comfort and warmth of their own bed. The igloos are made of thermal glass with conservatory insulation that keeps the interior cosy even when temperatures outside plummet. This connection to the Arctic wilderness and the potential for a spectacular natural light show creates a once-in-a-lifetime experience that few other places can match.
The West Village is particularly known for its extensive offerings, which also include a magical Santa Claus house and an impressive Art and Glass Igloo tower that provides panoramic views of the surroundings.
V8 Hotel – Stuttgart, Germany
Perfect for all types of motor enthusiasts, the V8 Hotel in Stuttgart offers the perfect stay as you get to rest in your head in one of many themed rooms that are designed around a specific vehicle. There’s also major attractions like the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums just a short drive away. The hotel can even arrange tours of the nearby Mercedes-Benz factory in Sindelfingen.
The hotel also pays close attention to smaller details, with car-shaped soaps and other automotive-inspired touches throughout. It’s something you shouldn’t miss out on if you’re travelling to Germany, as it can’t be found anywhere else.
Cappadocia Cave Suites – Göreme, Turkey
Cappadocia Cave Suites in Göreme, Turkey, offers a truly unique and memorable lodging experience by seamlessly blending ancient history with modern comfort. Unlike a standard hotel, it’s integrated into the region’s famous fairy chimneys, which are volcanic rock formations eroded into impressive spires.
The hotel offers a variety of modern comforts, including free Wi-Fi, minibars and in-room fireplaces in some suites, ensuring a luxurious stay despite the rustic setting. A Turkish buffet breakfast is also included and the on-site restaurant provides a chance to savour authentic Anatolian dishes.
Attrap’Rêves Bubble Hotel – Allauch, France
Offering a full 360 degree panoramic view while lying in your bed, these bubble hotel pods give you a unique experience as you stay in accommodation made completely from glass. It takes glamping to the next level, as you get full immersion in nature without the common inconveniences of camping.
Attrap’Rêves provides a relaxing and romantic retreat with thoughtful services and a picturesque setting. The eco-friendly bubbles are furnished with comfortable double beds and include a private, nearby bathroom facility so you have everything you’ll ever need.
Spitbank Fort – Portsmouth, UK
Originally built in the 19th century as part of a series of fortifications to protect Portsmouth Harbour from a feared French invasion, the fort now offers an exclusive and secluded island experience. Gun ports have been repurposed as windows, offering stunning sea views from each of the large, individually-designed suites.
The rooftop features a spectacular hot tub, sauna and fire pit, as well as a sun deck with panoramic views of the Solent. Guests can relax in one of the three bars, enjoy fine dining in the Officer’s Mess restaurant and take part in a guided tour of the fort to learn about its fascinating past.
Final Thoughts
Europe offers a treasure trove of unique accommodations that can transform a simple vacation into a truly unforgettable journey. The allure of these unconventional stays lies in their ability to immerse you in a destination’s history, culture and natural beauty in a way that a standard hotel simply cannot. Choose one of our recommended stays for the most one-of-a-kind experience.
