The Most Extraordinary and Unusual Hotels

1. Lopud 1483: The Rebirth of a Franciscan Monastery

On the island of Lopud, off the coast of Dubrovnik, a former medieval monastery transformed into a sanctuary of art stands facing the Adriatic Sea. Behind its thick walls, the philanthropy of Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza has breathed new life into this site, which had been abandoned since the monks left in the 19th-century. As early as the 1990s, following the siege of Dubrovnik, she undertook—with the help of architect Frank Gehry—a colossal project to restore the fortifications and reimagine the interior spaces. In this unique hotel, five suites have replaced the former cells, while the lounges blend historic charm with modern comfort thanks to the work of architect Rujana Bergam Markovic. Lopud 1483 houses part of the prized Thyssen-Bornemisza collection. From Renaissance frescoes, such as *The Liberation of Saint Peter* by Franco Maria Pretti, to contemporary works by Thomas Struth and Olafur Eliasson, the art engages in a dialogue with the surroundings.

The highlight: the gardens revive monastic traditions with an abundance of medicinal plants. With no swimming pool, a gate in the walls offers direct access to the sea, complemented by a discreet nautical club. An intimate spa is nestled in a tower, overlooking an open-air theater that seats 250 people. Rented out in its entirety for private stays, Lopud 1483 becomes, at other times, a cultural hub where concerts and festivals flourish. A renaissance at the crossroads of luxury, history, and art—and an extraordinary hotel.

Lopud 1483
Lopud 1483 Official website

2. White Desert Lodge: Antarctica—Where Luxury Meets Exploration

In the vast, frozen expanse of Antarctica, the White Desert Lodge offers a unique experience, combining absolute comfort with extreme adventure. Accessible via a five-hour flight from Cape Town, followed by a short transfer on a ski-equipped plane, this exclusive sanctuary lies at the heart of a pristine ice desert. Wolf’s Fang Camp, your first stop in this legendary land, features six heated tents that blend simplicity with elegance. Hikes across the ice sheet, spectacular climbs, and gourmet dinners paired with South African wines punctuate the days in a setting where time seems to stand still. At Whichaway Camp, the lodge’s true gem, six fiberglass pods —inspired by polar research stations—offer a luxurious retreat overlooking freshwater lakes and waterfalls frozen in ice. Designed by Patrick Woodhead and his wife Robyn, this unique hotel blends tradition and modernity: intimate lounges furnished with leather armchairs and sofas welcome travelers to listen to tales of adventure told by seasoned guides.

Every meal—whether a picnic on the ice floe or a candlelit dinner—is a gastronomic celebration. Camp Echo, meanwhile, reimagines the polar experience with six capsules inspired by space exploration. These heated pods, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, offer breathtaking views of the white wilderness, transforming every night into a dreamlike experience. The list of activities is endlessly varied and delightful: exploring ice tunnels leading all the way to the ocean, immersing yourself among emperor penguin colonies numbering several thousand, and for the most daring, an expedition to the geographic South Pole, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Roald Amundsen.

The highlight: limited to twelve participants per expedition, these exclusive trips organized during the Antarctic summer promise a total immersion in one of the planet’s last wild sanctuaries. The programs, such as the six-day “Early Emperors” tour, are designed to allow everyone to experience an exceptional adventure, with no special technical requirements.

White Desert
Official website

3. In Lapland, the Splendor of the Arctic Bath

The Arctic Bath, nestled on the Lule River in Swedish Lapland, embodies the perfect blend of avant-garde design and untamed nature. Designed by architects Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi, this floating retreat offers a unique experience in the heart of the Arctic landscape. They are also the creators of the famous and unusual Treehouse Hotel, located not far from the Arctic Bath, where the rooms are perched in the trees. The main structure—circular and adorned with floating logs—houses an open-air pool surrounded by saunas, a cold plunge pool, as well as a bar and a restaurant serving healthy Nordic cuisine. The 12 cabins, spread across the water and the shore, are designed to withstand the harsh climate: floating in summer, frozen into the ice in winter. Their minimalist, eco-friendly Scandinavian design offers a setting perfect for relaxation and escape. The rooms’ large floor-to-ceiling windows, facing the sky, allow guests to admire the stars, the Northern Lights, or the midnight sun, depending on the season.

Bonus: Activities include dog-sled rides, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile excursions under the starry sky of the Far North. After a day of adventures, the sauna and the crackling fireplace offer welcome comfort.

4. Sheldon Chalet: An Exceptional Retreat in the Heart of Wild Alaska

Perched at an elevation of 1,800 meters on a nunatak overlooking the Ruth Glacier, the Sheldon Chalet seems to hover above the void, offering breathtaking views of Denali National Park. In the 1950s, Don Sheldon, a pioneer of mountain aviation, fell in love with the vast expanses of Denali National Park. In 1966, he discovered this unique rocky outcrop—a nunatak rising from the ice of the Ruth Glacier. A visionary, he built a rudimentary cabin there for mountaineers and explorers, nicknamed the “Mountain House.” His passion for this frozen land has inspired generations, but it was his son Robert and his family who realized his ultimate dream by building the Sheldon Chalet, a sanctuary suspended in the heart of the Far North.

Accessible only by helicopter, this exclusive lodge promises a total immersion in one of the wildest regions on the planet. The Sheldon Chalet features five cozy and elegant guest rooms that can accommodate up to ten guests. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows, found throughout the living areas, offer spectacular panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of Denali and the icy expanse of the Ruth Range. Here, comfort meets simplicity: wooden furniture, a central fireplace, and cozy textiles create the perfect retreat for recharging.

The highlight: this unique hotel offers backcountry skiing on virgin snow, glacier crevasse exploration, not to mention ice climbing and guided hikes through pristine wilderness. When night falls, the Northern Lights light up the polar sky, offering an unforgettable spectacle from the observation deck or the floor-to-ceiling windows of the rooms. Between expeditions, the Finnish sauna invites you to unwind, while the warmth of the fireplace brings each day of exploration to a close.

Sheldon Chalet
Official website

5. Amangiri, a masterpiece of hospitality in the vast expanse of Utah

Amangiri, nestled in the heart of Utah’s majestic landscapes, is one of the Aman Group’s most legendary hotels, prized by lovers of contemporary architecture and vast natural spaces. Designed to blend harmoniously into the surrounding desert, it features minimalist architecture that highlights the raw beauty of the landscapes—the mineral purity of spectacular canyons—all evoking a land art gallery. Large floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking panoramas: endless rocky expanses, dotted with sparse, arid shrubs, against a backdrop of mountains whose hues shift with the time of day. The interiors reflect this minimalist aesthetic, with concrete walls and furniture in neutral tones. The pool winds around a rock, reminiscent of the meandering curves of a miniature canyon. The rooms, with their monastic yet sophisticated simplicity, offer exceptional comfort, focusing on the essentials.

In this serene setting, the spa offers a range of treatments inspired by the medicinal and holistic traditions of the Navajo and Hopi tribes. The cuisine also draws inspiration from Indigenous peoples, with a “Spirit of the Journey” menu featuring local meats, prepared and smoked on-site. Camp Sarika by Amangiri, a glamping version of this unique hotel, offers a different kind of immersion in Utah’s untamed wilderness. Located a 30-minute walk from Amangiri, this intimate camp consists of ten spacious tented pavilions, designed by Luxury Frontiers, each featuring one or two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, bar, and a terrace with a private pool. Guests can enjoy a dedicated restaurant, a swimming pool, and two spa suites, as well as the facilities at Amangiri.

Highlight: Although situated within a 243-hectare protected reserve, Amangiri lies at the heart of Navajo Indian territories. This cultural heritage offers guests unique opportunities for exploration led by experienced guides. Guests can also enjoy via ferrata, horseback riding, or hot-air balloon rides. Nearby, Lake Powell and its rock formations are perfect for kayaking excursions. The large surrounding national parks, such as Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, and Bryce Canyon, are also accessible for wonderful discoveries. Amangiri is a destination in its own right, where contemporary architecture meets the majesty of the Utah desert.

Amangiri
Official website

6. Exploration and Conservation at Shinta Mani Lodge in Cambodia

Conceived by the intrepid designer Bill Bensley, this exclusive camp of 15 luxurious tents spans 350 hectares of valleys along a river with picturesque waterfalls. Its primary goal is to protect this magnificent forest, once threatened by deforestation. The project also supports the Shinta Mani Foundation, which funds schools for the country’s underprivileged children. Guests on a tour of Cambodia have the unique opportunity to participate in anti-poaching missions alongside former hunters who have become nature guides and seasoned forest rangers, offering an authentic immersion in the conservation of local wildlife. Activities include exploring on foot, by kayak, or on mountain bikes, allowing guests to discover the exceptional biodiversity of the tropical rainforest, home to endemic species such as colorful birds and giant butterflies. For an unforgettable experience, a zip line soaring over the canopy and spanning a waterfall leads directly to the lodge’s restaurant and bar, where inventive cocktails and delicious cuisine await adventurers.

The highlight: the decor at Shinta Mani Wild is exceptional. The tents, perched on stilts overlooking the river, are furnished with Khmer antiques and collectible furniture from London or Paris, creating a refined atmosphere worthy of a cabinet of curiosities. The contrast with the raw charm of the surrounding jungle is magical, offering guests the ultimate in comfort as they are lulled by the murmur of the river. Shinta Mani Wild has thus become a key player in the conservation of this region, offering travelers a luxurious and immersive experience while actively contributing to environmental protection and local development.

Shinta Mani Angkor
Prey Praseth Village, Ou Bak Roteh 855 Cambodia