The World’s Most Extreme Accommodations: Where Adventure Meets Luxury
For adventurous travelers, the thrill doesn’t have to end when the day is done. Across the globe, there are accommodations that are as wild and exhilarating as the destinations they’re in. From sleeping underwater surrounded by marine life to hanging off a cliffside, these extreme stays promise unforgettable experiences. Here’s a look at the world’s most extraordinary and daring accommodations that redefine what it means to "get away."
Skylodge Adventure Suites – Peru
Location: Sacred Valley, Peru
Imagine spending the night in a transparent pod hanging 1,200 feet above Peru’s Sacred Valley. The Skylodge Adventure Suites are glass capsules mounted to the side of a cliff, offering jaw-dropping views of the valley below. Accessible only by climbing or zip-lining, this stay is an adrenaline rush from start to finish.
Why It’s Extreme: Suspended in midair, this suite is not for the faint-hearted or those afraid of heights.
Bonus Experience: Wake up to a stunning sunrise over the Andes before zip-lining back down.
The Muraka – Maldives
Location: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
The Muraka is the world’s first underwater villa, located 16 feet beneath the Indian Ocean. With floor-to-ceiling glass walls, guests can sleep surrounded by vibrant marine life, including sharks and tropical fish.
Why It’s Extreme: You’re essentially living in an aquarium with a front-row seat to the wonders of the ocean.
Bonus Experience: Combine your stay with scuba diving trips to nearby coral reefs.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Finland
Location: Saariselkä, Finland
Stay in a glass igloo under the Arctic sky, where you can marvel at the Northern Lights from the warmth of your bed. Located in Finnish Lapland, this resort also offers traditional log cabins and ice accommodations.
Why It’s Extreme: The remote Arctic setting is both otherworldly and freezing cold.
Bonus Experience: Go husky sledding or take a reindeer safari during your stay.
Icehotel – Sweden
Location: Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Rebuilt every winter from blocks of ice harvested from the Torne River, the Icehotel is an ephemeral masterpiece. Each room is designed by a different artist, creating intricate ice sculptures and unique designs.
Why It’s Extreme: Sleeping on a bed of ice in subzero temperatures is a true test of endurance.
Bonus Experience: Warm up afterward with a drink served in an ice glass at the Icebar.
Giraffe Manor – Kenya
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
This luxurious safari lodge allows guests to interact with resident Rothschild’s giraffes, who frequently pop their heads through the windows during breakfast. The manor is set on 12 acres of private land and offers a truly unique wildlife experience.
Why It’s Extreme: It’s one of the few places in the world where you can share a meal with a giraffe.
Bonus Experience: Combine your stay with a Kenyan safari adventure.
Utter Inn – Sweden
Location: Lake Mälaren, Sweden
This floating hotel features a tiny red house on the surface of the lake and a submerged bedroom below. Guests can kayak around the lake by day and sleep underwater by night.
Why It’s Extreme: The isolation and underwater setting make this a serene but surreal escape.
Bonus Experience: Spend the evening stargazing from your private dock.
Treehotel – Sweden
Location: Harads, Sweden
The Treehotel offers several architecturally stunning treehouses, including a mirrored cube that blends into the forest and a UFO-shaped suite. Each room is suspended high above the ground and surrounded by nature.
Why It’s Extreme: The innovative designs and remote forest location make this a magical and adventurous stay.
Bonus Experience: Explore the surrounding wilderness through hiking or snowshoeing.
Hotel de Glace – Canada
Location: Quebec, Canada
Similar to Sweden’s Icehotel, this temporary hotel is built entirely of snow and ice each winter. Guests can enjoy ice sculptures, themed rooms, and even an ice slide.
Why It’s Extreme: Spending the night in freezing conditions is a true test of adventure, even with thermal sleeping bags.
Bonus Experience: Visit during the Winter Carnival for even more frosty fun.
White Desert’s Whichaway Camp – Antarctica
Location: Queen Maud Land, Antarctica
Accessible only by private jet, this eco-luxury camp offers heated pods in one of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth. Activities include glacier trekking and visits to emperor penguin colonies.
Why It’s Extreme: You’ll be staying on the coldest, windiest continent in the world.
Bonus Experience: Stand on the South Pole during a special excursion.
Capsule Hotels on Mount Fuji – Japan
Location: Mount Fuji, Japan
For those climbing Mount Fuji, the capsule hotels on the mountain provide a unique resting spot. These tiny pods are equipped with essentials and offer shelter to hikers tackling the challenging ascent.
Why It’s Extreme: Staying halfway up an active volcano in compact quarters adds to the adventure.
Bonus Experience: Time your climb to watch the sunrise from the summit, known as "Goraiko."
Why Choose Extreme Accommodations?
Extreme accommodations take your travel experience to the next level, offering more than just a place to sleep—they become part of your adventure. Whether you’re seeking solitude underwater, the thrill of high altitudes, or the magic of icy landscapes, these unique stays offer memories that last a lifetime.
So, which of these daring accommodations will you add to your bucket list? Wherever you go, rest assured your stay will be as unforgettable as the journey itself.