Forget cookie-cutter resorts—we’re hunting down places where you sleep in a potato, spend the night in a dog park, or bed down in a former nuclear bunker. At Sites of Explore, we’ve tracked down the world’s most bizarre accommodations that are actually bookable (if you’ve got the guts).
1. The Dog Bark Park Inn (Idaho, USA)
What’s weird? A 30-foot-tall beagle-shaped B&B where you sleep inside a dog’s belly.
Key Features:
- Hand-carved wooden interiors (yes, even the “fur” is wood)
- Breakfast served in a dog bowl (optional)
- Giant fire hydrant out front (naturally)
Best For: Die-hard dog lovers who’ve always wanted to live like Scooby-Doo.
2. The Potato Hotel (Idaho, USA)
What’s weird? A giant potato turned into a luxury suite.
Key Features:
- Originally a 1946 potato truck (now decked out with a queen bed and AC)
- Private patio with fire pit and potato-themed decor
- Comes with a complimentary “Tater Talk” breakfast
Best For: Spud enthusiasts and anyone who’s ever said, “I’d live in a potato if I could.”
[astra_also_read]3. The Jailhotel (Switzerland)
What’s weird? A functioning prison until 1998—now you can book a cell for the night.
Key Features:
- Original barred windows and heavy doors (but comfy beds)
- Breakfast delivered through a “cell flap”
- Option to upgrade to the “Warden’s Suite” (slightly less creepy)
Best For: True-crime podcast fans who want the full Orange Is the New Black experience.
4. The Crane Hotel (Netherlands)
What’s weird? A 50-ton industrial crane converted into a luxury suite.
Key Features:
- Glass-floored bedroom suspended 50 feet in the air
- Rotating living room (yes, the whole room spins)
- Private hot tub with panoramic harbor views
Best For: Couples who want their romantic getaway to include mild vertigo.
5. The Hobbit Motel (New Zealand)
What’s weird? A real-life Shire for Tolkien fans.
Key Features:
- Underground round doors and grass-covered roofs
- Fireplace, wooden beams, and faux “hobbit” furniture
- Located near filming locations for Lord of the Rings
Best For: Fantasy nerds who’ve always wanted second breakfast.
6. The Null Stern Hotel (Switzerland)
What’s weird? A “zero-star” hotel where your room is literally a bed in a field.
Key Features:
- Just a double bed, nightstands, and a mountain view
- Butler service (because even minimalist stays need luxury)
- Wake-up call includes sunrise over the Alps
Best For: Glampers who think tents are too cluttered.
7. The Icehotel (Sweden)
What’s weird? A hotel rebuilt every winter from 5,000 tons of ice.
Key Features:
- Rooms carved by artists (new designs every year)
- Thermal sleeping bags keep you warm at -5°C (23°F)
- Ice bar with glasses made of… you guessed it, ice
Best For: People who’ve ever said, “I’d love to sleep in a freezer.”
8. The UFO House (Taiwan)
What’s weird? Futuristic pod-shaped cabins straight out of a sci-fi flick.
Key Features:
- Glow-in-the-dark ceilings and neon lighting
- Transparent bathroom walls (don’t worry, there’s a curtain)
- Feels like you’re on a spaceship (minus the aliens)
Best For: Couples who want their romantic trip to feel intergalactic.
9. The Underwater Room (Zanzibar)
What’s weird? A floating bedroom 13 feet below sea level.
Key Features:
- 360° views of coral reefs and tropical fish
- Accessed via ladder (so you can surface for meals)
- Private deck for stargazing after dark
Best For: Mermaid wannabes who love ocean life.
10. The Boot B&B (New Zealand)
What’s weird? A giant boot-shaped cottage straight out of a nursery rhyme.
Key Features:
- Cozy interiors with curved walls (like, really curved)
- Garden with actual “old woman who lived in a shoe” vibes
- Surprisingly spacious (for a boot)
Best For: Folks who appreciate absurd architecture.
11. The Mirror Cube (Sweden)
What’s weird? A treehouse that’s almost invisible.
Key Features:
- Reflective exterior camouflages it in the forest
- Glass floors and rooftop balcony
- Only accessible by a wobbly rope bridge
Best For: Introverts who’d love to disappear into nature.
12. The Nuclear Bunker (Latvia)
What’s weird? A Cold War-era bunker turned spy-themed hotel.
Key Features:
- Hidden behind a fake Soviet-style apartment
- “Mission briefing” upon arrival (complete with fake passports)
- No windows (because, well, it’s a bunker)
Best For: History buffs who like their stays with a side of espionage.
Why Stay Weird?
These places prove travel doesn’t have to be predictable. Whether you’re sleeping in a giant potato or a rotating crane, the best stays are the ones that give you a story to tell.
Which one would you book?
Got a weird stay we missed? Tell us about it on our Contact Us page—we’re always hunting for the next unforgettable night.
“Normal hotels are fine, but weird stays? Those you remember forever.”
