Chain hotels, particularly those in the three and four star range, are designed to be both comfortable and inoffensive, because they are made for the masses. Sometimes this is exactly what you need. There are plenty of harried parents who would gladly spend a weekend getaway in a three or four star chain hotel for the sheer joy of not having to clean up and enjoying some uninterrupted down time.
But there are times when you want something unique, something that suits your personality. Here are some unusual hotels from around the world. While you won’t find many cheap hotels among these, staying at them can be an experience in and of itself.
Citizen M hotels are a new concept in “affordable luxury” hotels in Glasgow and Amsterdam. They won Tripadvisor’s award for trendiest hotels, and are an interesting take on the currently popular boutique hotels. They’ll cost you in the $100 per night range, and offer flat screen LCD televisions, free wireless internet, free movies, VoIP phone rates, “power rain” showers, king sized beds with high quality linens and lots of pillows, plus global plug systems for electrical items from the US, UK, and EU.
Capsule hotels haven’t caught on outside Japan, but spending the night in one of these tiny sleeping chambers for the equivalent of around $40 per night is an experience that many people want to try. The rooms have wireless internet and television inside the capsules, with communal spaces, vending machines, restaurants, and other amenities outside the capsules. They do tend to cater to Japanese businessmen, so female travelers should be sure their accommodations have a section for women before booking
The Gladstone Hotel in Toronto is one of the best-loved hotels in the world, with rates starting at $159 (Canadian). Local artists exhibit their work and hold performances, and the hotel is also a regular neighborhood hangout. The venues here host everything from film screenings to art exhibitions to weddings, and a percentage of the profits goes to local artists.
For Americans who have always wanted to stay at a castle but can’t quite swing the airfare to Europe to do so, there’s the Castle on the Hudson, located just 30 minutes north of Manhattan on the Hudson River. As castles go, it’s still a baby at just over 100 years old, but it boasts an award-winning dining room plus plenty of luxurious touches like spa services. They run specials that will put you in their castle for $275 a night, which includes a $50 voucher that you can use towards food and (non-alcoholic) drink there.
Sure, chain hotels are great, but sometimes it’s fun to step out of the ordinary, and sometimes you can do so without breaking the bank.
