To celebrate National Bed Month, we’ve compiled our top 10 unique places to sleep around the world.
Where will your sleep take you?
1. Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya
Giraffe Manor is famous for its friendly residents– a herd of Rothschild giraffes that adorably reach their long necks through the gorgeous 1930s Manor windows to say hello to guests (and be fed treats!)
Wake from a wonderful night’s sleep in your room, complete with historic features in keeping with the 1930s design (think fireplaces, mahogany desks) to find the giraffes grazing outside your bedroom window. Then head down to breakfast to find them sticking their heads into the dining room!
2. Arctic Bath, Harads, Swedish Lapland, Sweden
Hailed as a design masterpiece, this hotel floats on Sweden’s Lule River. Split between land and water, the exclusive 12 cabins are unique, stylish spaces furnished with products from classic Swedish brands. River rooms are perfect for couples and have north-facing, sloping roof windows – making them ideal for Northern Lights viewing – and private decking areas for river swimming (summertime only, unless you’re very brave!)
3. The Liberty, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
The unique Liberty Hotel gives guests the opportunity to spend the night in the slammer (in style and comfort of course!) Set in Boston’s former Charles Street Jail, built in 1851, the now-hotel houses spacious, bright rooms rather than bleak, cold cells. For the best experience, ask for a Jail Room to be located in the old jail section of the hotel.
4. 9 hours capsule hotel in chain, Kyoto, Narita, and Tokyo
The concept here is simplicity. You check-in, shower, and retire to a sleep pod, which can be booked for the night or a quick nap.
The hotel mixes traditional Japanese inn aesthetics with the modern; each pod is equipped with futons and tatami mats and the staff are dressed in kimonos. When you’re ready to settle down, you pull a sliding screen to shut your pod, adjust the ‘sleep ambient environment’ (Created by Panasonic, it controls the light, slowly dimming for sleep, then gently rising like the sun at the time you’ve set to wake) and zzz….
5. Longitude 131, Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia
15 tented rooms, each with an exquisitely framed view of Uluru make up Longitude 131. Guests enjoy a large private terrace with a double daybed and outdoor fireplace, allowing you to relax outside in luxury, gazing at the stars (and even sleep there!)
Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows offer fantastic views of Uluru, and the espresso machine and Bose speakers are a nice added touch of luxury. There’s no TV, but with views like that, you won’t even notice.
6. The Orient Express
Ah yes, the famous train (and, to be clear, there is only one Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, which travels different routes around Europe).
There’s the luxury of the 1920s cabins, the opulent colours from a royal palette; the carriage masters, robed in their gold-piped regalia and tending to your every need.
You’ll be lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking motion of the train, and when you awake, as if by magic, you’ll be somewhere completely different.
Interesting fact: 100-year-old coal fireplaces are located at each carriage end to keep the cabins toasty warm and the water hot.
7. Library Hotel by Library Hotel Collection, New York
This unique hotel is a book lover's dream.
The Library Hotel’s collection of over 6,000 books is organized by the Dewey Decimal Classification®. Each of the 10 guestroom floors honours one of the 10 categories (see list below) of the classification system and each of the 60 rooms are individually adorned with 50-150 books and pieces of art relating to the category relevant to their floor.
· Social Sciences
· Literature
· Languages
· History
· Math & Science
· General Knowledge
· Technology
· Philosophy
· The Arts
· Religion
8. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Kakslauttanen, Lapland, Finland
This winter-wonderland resort of cosy log cabins, glass and snow igloos, and restaurants are situated in the area for optimal viewing of the Northern Lights.
Igloo occupancy is often for just one night at a time, as the two-person glass igloos include toilets but saunas and showers are in separate buildings. Large log cabins have an open fireplace and sauna, but no TVs and guests are encouraged to forsake Wi-Fi for the aesthetic pleasures of the winter scenery. Perfect for a peaceful pre-sleep evening.
9. Treehouses at Ivory Lodge, Lion Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
An outdoor sleeping experience in the African Bush! The Treehouses offer big views of remote Africa, beneath an arching star-lit sky. As you gaze out over the bush from your secluded treehouse hideaway, the animals pass by undisturbed by your presence. As night falls, and you slip beneath the sheets, you’ll fall asleep to an African lullaby, with the sounds of the wild carrying on the breeze
It’s also a perfect stargazing opportunity. The clarity of the skies here allow you to see sights not usually visible to the naked eye. And, to help you identify the constellations and planets, the resort provide you with an iPad complete with a stargazing app!
10. Singapore Airlines A380 Suites
Singapore Airlines has created what's widely considered to be the finest commercial flying experience.
You’ll be treated to a true suite experience in the sky, with 50 square feet of space to yourself, a reclining swivel chair, a desktop to work at, and – the best bit – a separate bed.
A portable tablet allows you to control the brightness and colour of the lights, so you can dim them from the comfort of your bed, while watching your 32” television. And if you’re travelling with someone else, some suits can be combined to create a 100-square-foot suite!
Where will your sleep take you? Sweet dreams....
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