{"id":2267,"date":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/europes-most-alternative-hotels\/"},"modified":"2022-07-11T17:44:32","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T17:44:32","slug":"europes-most-alternative-hotels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.sg\/stories\/europe\/europes-most-alternative-hotels\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe\u2019s Most Unique and Unusual Alternative Hotels"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes time to booking your holidays, hotels are usually an afterthought. As no matter how convenient, affordable or fancy they are, they\u2019re mostly just a base from which to charge your phone, change your clothes and get some sleep. But what if the hotel itself could be part of the adventure? There’ s a whole list of unique hotels in Europe that take the boredom out of snoozing.<\/p>\n

Europe is filled with bespoke hotel experiences that fly under the radar and offer travellers a genuinely unique experience. Whether it\u2019s staying in a lighthouse overlooking the Baltic Sea, a medieval clock tower in Italy, or a converted\u00a0aeroplane\u00a0in a Dutch field, there\u2019s more to accommodation than just five-star ratings.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the most unique hotels in Europe. These are guaranteed to liven up your travels and provide unforgettable photos.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

The Old Man and the Sea<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re are looking for a rugged, romantic getaway, Europe offers a variety of lighthouses you can book for an overnight or extended stay.<\/p>\n

On the Norwegian Coast<\/h4>\n

Norway\u2019s coastline is renowned for its beauty and boasts several tastefully renovated lighthouses to choose from, plus all the crashing waves and howling winds you could ever hope for. You can check the country\u2019s\u00a0official tourism website<\/a>\u00a0for some of the more popular options before\u00a0booking your flight<\/a>\u00a0to capital city Oslo<\/a> and pointing your rental car towards the coast.<\/p>\n

\"TromsoYggdrasiltunet<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Asleep and Adrift<\/h4>\n

Alternatively, if you\u2019d prefer something a little more central, Amsterdam<\/a>\u2019s houseboats offer tourists plenty of unique charm. Whether you\u2019re on a budget and looking for something old and quaint, or want a sweeping balcony and roaring fire with a modern fit-out, there\u2019s a range of houseboats sure to make your friends envious. The\u00a0Dutch Canal Boat<\/a>\u00a0is a great mid-range option with amazing views.<\/p>\n

\"amsterdam-houseboat\"Amsterdam Houseboat<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

On the Road to Nowhere<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For those wanting to experience the luxury of a private airline or an old world train journey (without actually going anywhere), Europe offers a variety of converted planes, trains and automobiles to choose from.<\/p>\n

Cockpit Cuddles<\/h4>\n

The\u00a0Airplane<\/a>\u00a0in the Netherlands began life in 1960 as transport for East Germany\u2019s top government brass and made flights to Cuba, China, Vietnam and Soviet Russia, before being retired in the mid-80s and ultimately reinvented as a luxury hotel suite. 40-metres long and more luxurious than your typical five-star hotel,\u00a0Airplane\u00a0Suite provides spacious sleeping quarters, a jacuzzi and the original cockpit controls for you to play with.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s heavily booked throughout most of the year, but you can always spend a night at the nearby\u00a0Bastion Hotel<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0Apeldoorn\u00a0while you wait your turn.<\/p>\n

\"BastionBastion Hotel Apeldoorn Het Loo<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Dream Express<\/h4>\n

If your travel aspirations are a little more modest,\u00a0Petworth\u00a0in the UK is home to\u00a0The Old Railway Station<\/a>\u00a0hotel and offers a taste of the Orient Express. Four Pullman carriages have been converted into luxury suites that capture the romance of a bygone era in travel, even if they don\u2019t actually go anywhere.<\/p>\n

\"OldThe Old Railway Station, Sussex, UK<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Castle Suites<\/h4>\n

Another hotel that isn’t going anywhere is the nearby\u00a0Amberley<\/a>. It’s been overlooking\u00a0Petworth’s\u00a0rolling valleys for more than 900 years and sits on 12 hectares of landscaped gardens. If your TV schedule includes Game of Thrones,<\/em> you’ll feel right at home here.<\/p>\n

\"hotelAmberley Castle<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Let Me Be Your Fantasy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While converted aircraft, lighthouses and train carriages are good clean fun, these are still very much grounded in reality. Not to worry, Europe has plenty of whimsical, storybook hotels to choose from.<\/p>\n

Below Zero<\/h4>\n

For those who appreciate a frosty winter wonderland but aren\u2019t particularly keen on a trip to the Arctic,\u00a0Alpeniglu<\/a>\u00ae\u00a0is a boutique \u2018hotel\u2019 in the Swiss Alps\u00a0comprised of seven custom-built igloos. Temperatures outside may drop well below zero, but things are nice and cosy inside and the assorted fur rugs give the place a suitably mythical feel.<\/p>\n