Weird & Wonderful
PLACES TO STAY
Weird & Wonderful
PLACES TO STAY
CAMPING COOL
Camp Sossus
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Only a few things make a luxury camp in the middle of the Namibian desert any cooler.
Weird & Wonderful
The star bed on the roof of your tented room at Camp Sossus is definitely one of them. It's perfectly placed for you to enjoy the views of the surrounding wilderness, both during the day and when the twinkly things come out at night.
Not enough shade up there? Head downstairs and take in the scenery from your private day bed. Getting too cold? Go inside and watch what's happening from your actual bed through the massive west and south-facing windows. You simply can't get any closer to nature here.
And once you wrap your head around the luxe lodgings, plenty of magical excursions through Namib Naukluft National Park occupy your time. Fancy a slip 'n' slide down the desert dunes?
From AU$448 per night
HOTEL CALIFORNIA
The Lafayette Hotel
San Diego, California
Historic? Yes. Old? Not even a little bit.
Weird & Wonderful
Originally built in 1946, The Lafayette Hotel recently underwent some major, $31 million renovations - after 78 years it definitely needed it. But the second you step through its front doors, you know exactly where all that money went. There's colour upon texture upon pattern here; leopard print sofas line the reception lounge, green and white marble tiles checker the floor and the polished brass finishings stand out among a sea of dark wood.
It's decadent. It's opulent. It's very loud. And it's brand spanking new.
The rooms are just as crazy with four-poster beds, hand-drawn wallpaper and velvet carpet. Come back to your room after having one too many Old Fashioned's down at the Lobby Bar and you'll think you've just stepped into a Renaissance-style porno. Even the penthouse has a gold, claw-foot tub in the bedroom, perfect for some 'adult' activities.
And the hotel has a pool. With daybeds. And a late-night cocktail lounge. With a bowling alley. We love all of it.
From AU$349 per night
LAKESIDE LUX
La Fortuna
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
We love a good ol' eco-friendly boutique hotel and La Fortuna on the shores of Guatemala's Lake Atitlan is one of the bungalow-y best.
Weird & Wonderful
From locally sourced construction materials to custom-made furniture designed to blend into the natural environment, this place is taking sustainability way more seriously than your recycling-challenged grandma. It's powered entirely by solar energy. It's off-grid. And it uses an anaerobic biodigester to dispose of waste.
It's also super exclusive with only five rooms in the joint, and while they all offer unique views of the lake and the volcanoes in the distance, suite #5 is the one you want. Situated right on the waterfront, this deluxe sanctuary comes with a two-storey grandness the other suites wish they had, a double-headed rain shower, an outdoor patio and a private infinity plunge pool. Bombs away.
From AU$291 per night
CAVE STAY
Summit at Big Bend
Terlingua, Texas
Have you ever found yourself thinking, 'I wonder what it would be like to sleep in a cave?'
Weird & Wonderful
Wonder no more—Texas only has one cave hotel and it's the Summit at Big Bend. Don't get it twisted though, undercover accommodation has come a long way since the Stone Age. These caves have the same modern amenities as most five-star hotels from double-headed rain showers and WiFi to coffee machines and plush king-size beds.
That's cool and all but being surrounded by nature is why you stay here. Each cave room is literally carved into the side of the Tres Cuevas Mountain Range with huge floor-to-ceiling doors that fully open to let in all the beautiful scenery that comes with being smack bang in the middle of the desert location—we're talking epic sunsets and unforgettable stargazing.
From AU$1,174 per night
JUNGLE PARADISE
Hoshinoya
Bali, Indonesia
You're a long way from dancing it out at Motel Mexicola and zigzagging through the streets of Seminyak in this jungle paradise…
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…especially from your perch in one of Hoshinoya's private gazebos. It's just you, the tops of lush, emerald-green trees and your favourite book up there. Which you'll probably put down in favour of gazing towards the UNESCO Heritage-listed rice terraces in the distance and listening to the soothing sounds of the Pakerisan River below.
That's not all this jungle retreat has going for it though. It also has a pool that connects the whole resort together, from your private villa to the reception lounge. You basically never have to get out, pruny fingers be damned. And with multiple dining options, plenty of activities (think craft workshops and dance lessons) and a spa you'll find yourself in everyday, this place is Bali at its best.
From AU$410 per night
MOUNTAIN WONDER
Vigilius Mountain Resort
Vigiljoch, Italy
The only way to this unique stay is by cable car.
Weird & Wonderful
That’s right, you can’t get there by car, bus, train or on foot: which just goes to show how secluded and exclusive this luxury resort in the Italian Alps really is. Hop on the cable car at the base of Mount Vigiljoch and sit in stunned wonder as it takes you 1,500m above sea level straight to the entrance of Vigilius Mountain resort.
The resort blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings so don’t be surprised if you get off the cable car and have no idea where to check-in. We’re just kidding, but you’ll notice that nature takes centre stage here from the large glass windows in every suite to balconies and other outdoor spaces. Each room is even orientated towards the morning or afternoon sun so you can soak up as much vitamin D as possible.
From AU$618 per night
get in the know There are over 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, but before you cancel your flights, only three of them are active. The rest must be lazy or something.
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