4 Unique Hotels For The Adventurous Traveler

Not all accommodation is created equal. Why settle for a standard hotel room when you could instead slumber in the room of your dreams? From high up in the treetops to deep down under the sea, here are four of our favorite mind-blowing hotels for any adventurous traveler.

Finca Bellevista, Costa Rica

Deep in the woods of the Costa Rican jungle is the world's only treehouse community. Since 2007, the owners, Erica and Matteo, have dedicated their lives to making the dreams of so many children-at-heart come true: to live in a fully functioning treehouse. Finca Bellevista is a community of 25 structures, some of which are privately owned, others that are rented out to the public. 

Photo: One of the Treehouses at Finca Bellevista

The treehouses are far fancier than the one-room structure you might have played in as a child. Each of the treehouses comes complete with running hot water, a kitchen, and astounding views out over the rainforest canopy. Taking into account that these treehouses are actually built to be lived in, you'll have many of the comforts you'd find in your own home, but with the added bonus of ultimate seclusion. Besides a few other guests hiking the trails, your most common encounter will likely be with toucans, sloths or one of the four different types of monkeys that call this region home!

Photo: The view from our treehouse balcony

At the main community base camp you will find a delicious restaurant that serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you're not interested in using your kitchen to cook for yourself, then you can grab your meals here. There is also a common area, which is host to the nightly cocktail hour and the occasional yoga session. The views from the balcony are absolutely spectacular as you sip your specialty drink while watching the mist rise from the rainforest below. The only other place you've seen something like this is the Star War's Ewok village!

Photo: Common area balcony

The Snow Village, Finland

The Snow Village in Finland is likely one of the coolest places in the world to spend the night—literally. The rooms here are kept at a chilly -16 degrees Celsius and are made completely from ice and snow. The sub-zero temperatures ensure that the carved ice sculptures and wall murals remain fresh throughout the winter.

Photo: Entering the Snow Village

The village is constructed by inflating giant balloons and covering them with snow and ice. Once the snow is compact enough to hold its own weight, the balloons are removed and the structure remains standing. The hotel is only open during the freezing winter months when the weather is cold enough to keep the structure from melting. During the off season, the Snow Village team brainstorms and plans even more elaborate decorations and carvings for the following year.

Photo: Snow Village wedding Chapel

There are two types of rooms in the Snow Village: standard igloo rooms and snow suites. Both rooms are constructed the same way, but the snow suites take the concept to the next level. Each of the snow suites is decorated differently with a spectacular theme and style. Handcrafted artwork featuring everything from Santa Claus to parading penguins to even a giant shark has been carved into the suite’s walls.

Photo: Penguin Suite

Photo: Chinese Suite

To get the full Snow Village experience, don’t miss dinner at the Snow Restaurant. The tables, chairs and bar are all made from snow and ice. Even the shot glasses are made out of ice! The menu consists of classic Lappish dishes like reindeer, moose and piping hot stews to keep you nice and toasty.

Photo: Snow Restaurant

Photo: Ice shot glasses

Wilderness Cabin, Sweden

After you visit the Snow Hotel, hope across the border for more wild adventures in Swedish Lapland.

When the only way to get to your bed is via an hour of cross-country skiing, you know you've entered some wild territory. Aurora Retreats in the far north of Sweden offers the opportunity to spend four days and three nights in a wilderness cabin that is miles away from civilization. After your cross-country ski to arrive at your personal yurt (a wooden hut kept warm by a furnace), you'll be able to spend your time enjoying the stillness of the Swedish winter.

Photo: Skiing to our wilderness cabin

Photo: Yurt

There are a multitude of outdoor activities to try during your escape from civilization. Strap on some snowshoes and explore the surrounding forest. Grab an ice drill and rod and try your luck at some ice fishing. Or you can opt to slow things down by curling up fireside on the couch with your favorite book. Each night you'll have to chance to look out into the starry night sky for the chance to glimpse the Northern Lights.

Photo: Snowshoeing

Photo: Northern Light dancing over our wilderness cabin

The wilderness cabin also comes with the traditional Swedish sauna. The ritual here is to sit in the hot and humid sauna, thawing out after a hard day of exploring the surrounding winter wonderland. Once you can't take the heat, it's time to cool off. To do so, you'll dart outside into the chilling night and roll around in the powdery snow for as long as you can until you scramble back into the sauna to warm up again. Repeat as many times as you'd like!

Photo: Swedish sauna

The Manta Resort, Zanzibar

It’s probably just about as close to sleeping in an aquarium as you’re likely to ever get. The Manta Resort is more than just a five-star resort—it’s a serene escape from everything. In between the white sand beaches, the turquoise waters, and the world-class diving, you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied when you’re not gazing out at the fish from the comfort of your own bed. Don’t miss a stay in the one and only underwater room, four meters below the surface of the ocean. Included is a private top deck to fully enjoy the incredible views both above and below the water. 

We’ve yet to visit the Manta Resort yet ourselves (the only hotel on this list we haven’t been to firsthand), but it is high up on our bucket list. As the website claims, the Manta Resort is: “Probably as far away from civilization as you’ll ever get”. That sounds pretty good to us.

We guarantee a stay in one of these hotels will awaken the spirit of your inner child!

Which stay do you find most interesting? What other adventurous hotels deserve to be on this list?