Carrying on our theme of the last few weeks of where we have looked at unusual places to stay in both England, Scotland, and Ireland this week we have branched out into the rest of Europe. So take a look at some of the weird and wonderful accommodation this continent has to offer, whether you are looking to stay for a week, a weekend or even just one night away.
Das Park Hotel, Ottensheim, Austria
If your idea of a great holiday is to stay inside a sewage pipe, then look no further than this first suggestion!
Three huge concrete drain pipes located in a public park in the Austrian city of Ottensheim is all that make up the Das Park Hotel. The rooms are about two meters across and furnished with a double bed, storage, light, power outlet, and blankets. Other than a circular skylight near the top and a couple of air holes, there are no windows.
The hotel was built by designer Andreas Strauss in 2004. It was originally opened at Linz and later moved to the nearby Ottensheim. A coat of varnish and wall paintings by the Austrian artist Thomas Latzel Ochoa is all that was needed to repurpose these pipes into living quarters.
Guests who wish to spend a night or two are required to book their rooms at the hotel’s website. Upon acceptance of the booking, guests receive a code to unlock the door to their pipe. The thick cement keeps the interior comfortable and eliminates noise from outside, creating a secure-feeling environment. The concrete walls are cool on hot days and comfortably warn in winter.
All hostelry devices such as toilets, showers, minibar, cafe, are supplied by the surrounding public space. A swimming pool is nearby. The best aspect of this hotel is that it operates on the "pay as you wish" system.
Boat Hotel De Barge, Brugge, Belgium
The Boat Hotel De Barge is definitely one of Bruges' most original hotel. De Barge, which formerly piled the Bruges-Ghent canal, is today a well-known and unique hotel.
Sleeping arrangements on De Barge are refreshingly different. There are 22 en-suite charming and atmospheric cabins on board. Whether you opt for the Captain's Cabin, the Officer's cabin or a standard luxury cabin you can expect every comfort, including radio, telephone, WiFi, and TV. Most cabins offer a view onto the canal.
It has a fine dining restaurant on board, as well as a lounge, and a scenic terrace.
Hotel Jested, Liberec, Czech Republic
Probably the most visually stunning of all the accommodation on offer today. The Ještěd Tower is a truly unique piece of architecture. This famous and impressive landmark was built in the second half of the 1960s as designed by architect K. Hubacek who received the Perret’s Prize of the International Union of Architects for it.
The hotel features two suites and 12 double rooms plus 5 double rooms of the one–star category. Full lodging capacity is 38 beds with 17 additional beds.
Accessible by road or cable car the hotel is found at the top of the Ještěd mountain, offering wide ranging views in every direction.
On the outer perimeter of the first floor a glazed gallery opens directly tied in to a spiral access ramp. An internal annulus of the first floor forms the entrance hall and reception to the hotel, which is dominated by a suspended staircase leading to an observation restaurant on the second floor. The next two floors, clad in aluminum, are used for accommodation. On the third floor are 14 hotel rooms made up of two suites and 12 double rooms.
On the fourth floor are rooms for employees of the transmitter and the hotel and two three-roomed flats. The area of the fifth to seventh floors is set aside for the aerials of the transmitting technology. There is a specially developed laminated cladding, against extreme weather conditions, in the shape of a revolving hyperboloid. On the seventh and eighth floors there is a tank for drinking water and battery-operated back-up power supply. The ninth floor contains the lift plant room. Above it a special pendulum is installed, whose movement absorbs the transverse oscillation of the tower.
Chez Bertrand, Paris, France
Unique to Paris! If you are looking for an original apartment or bed and breakfast Chez Bertrand will delight you. Bertrand has created 3 incredible apartments in the authentic Paris flea market neighbourhood, a few minutes away from the subway and from Montmarte. There is a free parking space, broadband wifi internet access, air conditioning, satellite television, and the best and quirky part, surprising decoration.
Le Loft is a 40 sq m apartment in a former shop. You can sleep in a Citroen 2 CV car converted into a bed or sleep in a circular bed. This accommodation is suitable for up to 5 people.
Le Studio is 16 sq m accommodation with floors, ceiling and walls in silver. Welcome to the Moon! There is space for up to 3 guests.
L'appart is a 2 bedroom apartment with a lot of colour and fun design features. It is 33 sq m and sleeps up to 5 people.
MuseuMotel, Raon I’Etape, France
This is a unique place in the world, built in 1967 on an island surrounded by a river leading to serenity, peacefulness and tranquility.
You could spend just one night or your whole holidays here. You may come for the heritage, to have a drink at the bar, for an exhibition, for a concert...or simply for a walk in the garden surrounded by art and the flow of water.
There are 6 bubble-bungalows for 2 people, and 3 for 5 people. All bubbles are fitted with a bathroom equipped with an Italian shower, a washbasin and WC, and each one has a different theme and decor including Love, Fifties or Zen.
Seeko’o Hotel, Bordeaux, France
The sleek, icy white facade of the Seeko’o Hotel is making a statement in the dockland area of Bordeaux. Seeko'o means “iceberg" or “glacier" in Inuit, and from the start this was an unusual and adventurous concept.
Seeko’o is an unorthodox urban landmark, a hotel created by adventurers to welcome the 21st-century traveller.
On the ground floor, guests will be welcomed in a vast open space with wide bays opening on to the exterior. On the 1st floor, the prow of the building houses the bar and dining-room. A hammam, sauna and meeting/conference room round out the services offered to guests.
When it comes to bedrooms you can choose between a vast loft suite suitable for a family with 2 children under 10, or loft style rooms, sloping ceilings and large windows, a round bed...All suites include free WI-FI, safe, mini bar, iPod stereo, 82cm LCD TV, organic toiletries, satin bed sheets, light dimmers and more.
Filotera Cave Hotel, Santarini, Greece
Filotera Villas in Santorini is a small hotel in Oia with a history that began years ago, when the owner's grandfather was producing his famous Santorinian wine. The old winery has been renovated and transformed it into a traditional Aegean style hotel, which sits on the edge of the Santorini Caldera cliffs, 100 meters above sea level, in the picturesque village of Oia.
With panoramic views from the extreme northern point of Santorini all the way to southern Akrotiri, and a superb view of the volcano and the island of Thirassia, Filotera Villas offers its guests a charming and relaxed environment.
The hotel offers pool and jacuzzi with umbrellas and sunbeds, and daily room service.
There are small cave houses, 2 bedroom cave houses and cave suites all with private terrace and panoramic sea view to the caldera.
That's all for now, but be sure to check back next week when we will have the second part of unusual places to stay in Europe, and if any of these have now got you in that holiday spirit be sure to check out our Men's and Women's Holiday Shops here at Cruise Fashion.