Having already visited 8 countries around Europe in Part 1 and Part 2 of we have now turned our attention to Spain, Portugal, Norway, and Poland to find The Most Unusual Places To Stay In Europe.
So if you want to stay in somewhere like an old converted Lighthouse, Brewery, or windmill, or one of the biggest sporting hotels in the world, or an artistic hostel if you want something cheap and cheerful, then look no further.
Blow Up Hall 5050, Poznan, Poland
Blow Up Hall 5050 is an interactive work of art with 22 luxurious rooms of a 5 star standard, and a bar and restaurant. If offers a combination of luxury, high tech, the finest design and personal artistic experimentation.
The 5050 comes from the project manager Grazyna Kulczyk (the richest Women in Poland), who calls her signature approach to business as everything being 50 percent art, 50 percent business.
Built on a 120,000 square-metre site of an old brewery the old brickwork and architecture have painstakingly been preserved. The hotel comes with no reception area and no numbering on its individually-designed rooms. Instead of a key, each guest receives an iPhone to find and open their bedroom doors by means of IT recognition technology.
Once you're in your room, the experience is a lot more normal, although each room has been designed independently and they vary hugely. All follow a similarly monochromatic theme, with occasional violet accents, and every room we saw looked fantastic. There's quite a few surprises to be had. Some rooms conceal bathrooms and toilets behind what appear to be wardrobe doors. In others, clothes racks and minibars slide out from hidden panels behind the bed head.
This hotel is futuristic and innovative and its guests not only experience art but also participate in its creation.
OkiDoki Hostel, Warsaw, Poland
Hostel Oki Doki is an extraordinary place. The hostel interior was designed by Warsaw artists, each room a separate artistic project.
Guests in dormitories, rooms with shared bathroom and double ensuite rooms have free internet access and WI-FI, use of a kitchen, free tea and coffee, a bar with the cheapest drinks in Warsaw, bike rental, a common room, laundry service and a shop with Warsaw souvenirs. There are safe facilities and sound proofed rooms too.
There are 37 rooms individually designed themed with kitsch, rainbow, Polish People's Republic, Narnia and a room covered in maps amongst them.
It is ideally situated close to most of the cultural centres of the city and many of the best clubs are within 5 minutes away on foot!
As well as the unique design and cleanliness the staff are young people enthusiastic about Warsaw and happy to share their passion with others. They'll happily help you find the most interesting sights, show you the best places for a night on the town and make sure your stay at the Okidoki is perfect.
And because this is a dorm beds starts from around as little as €10 a night and a double ensuite costs from around €45 a night for 2.
Room 47 Molja Lighthouse, Alesund, Norway
Almost every time you see a Lighthouse listed as accommodation is it the outer building that is the accommodation, however the Molja Lighthouse in Alesund, Norway is different as it is the actual lighthouse itself that is the accommodation……and better yet the Lighthouse its self still works.
Measuring only three meters across, the 150-year-old Molja Lighthouse presented a delightful challenge to the interior architect and carpenters. Downstairs they made an elegant and amazingly compact bathroom. Upstairs is a circular bedroom with a custom-fitted bed.
You’ll appreciate that when you lie in bed and peer west toward Godøya Island and the Atlantic, watching the Hurtigruten coastal steamer glide by. Today, Molja’s red-and-green beacon is automated but still guides ships into sheltered waters.
Set at the end of its own little jetty the Molja Lighthouse is a really wonderfully distinctive blend of modern facilities with the historic and rustic interior.
It is actually part of a larger hotel that is 400 metres away, which holds the other 46 rooms.
Malutka Fairy's Grotto, Granada, Spain
This unique and enchanting cave house is a fantastic grotto which has literally been cut into the rock face. Full of natural character, charm and style, the house has been furnished and decorated throughout in a rustic, ornate Andalucian/Moroccan style that makes you feel instantly at home. Great for families and affordably priced. Staying here is a magical experience and will be a holiday to remember.
Inside is a 9-roomed cave, which is surprisingly light and airy, and upstairs are two roof terraces ,one with a dip tub to cool off when sunbathing and both with stunning views.
To the front of the property is a vine-covered patio with a table & chairs and a gas barbecue. Special features of this property include a tortoise garden, a miniature fairy grotto hidden within the wall of the interior, decorative mosaicing on walls and floors and many hand crafted artistic features and soft furnishings.
The house is situated in the Cuevas del Cerrico (cave house quarters )above the traditional Spanish town of Baza. From the front, its elevated position affords fabulous views over the town to the countryside and mountains beyond; whilst the back of the property borders onto rural land.
The Mill On The Hill, Odemira, Portugal
This beautiful award winning 3 bedroom windmill conversion is the perfect getaway for couples and families alike. Secluded but not isolated, this eco-friendly retreat in an ecological reserve boasts solar power and its own water supply.
The mill is surrounded by its own private walled gardens and a large sand terrace with 360 degrees of stunning panoramic views. It is a perfect location for lazing and following or avoiding the sun. There is a free-standing pool for a cooling dip in the summer and broadband for those who can't do without.
The unspoilt and tranquil area around the windmill is possibly Portugal’s best-kept secret, and the panoramic views are truly wonderful.
The mill has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, as well as a well-equipped kitchen and a living area full of books, a well-stocked DVD library, cards, board games and binoculars.
The grounds are divided into different walled garden areas where you can enjoy sun or shade at your leisure. A sand terrace surrounds half the mill (good for a game of Petanque) and you will also find a tree swing, a hammock slung between an almond and an olive tree, two outside eating areas and a free standing 15' Intex pool for use in the summer months.
Club La Santa, Lanzarote, Spain
Club La Santa is a real paradise for all people who enjoy sports and an active life. Located on the northeast coast of Lanzarote, approximately 30 minutes from Arrecife airport, Club La Santa can appeal to people both young and old, elite and beginners, holidaymakers and sports teams.
An unrivaled choice of activities are offered on every level. Offering over 30 sports that include tennis, badminton, squash, swimming, football, yoga, pilates, windsurfing, kayaking, running, mountain and road biking, triathalons. All with instruction and tournaments.
There is plenty to entertain everyone - from the kids club, staff and talent shows, restaurants and bars, supermarket, pools, a lagoon with watersports centre, a wellness centre and mini golf plus all the equipment and facilities to enjoy all the sports and fitness opportunities. If you want to relax and enjoy the sun there are large leisure pools and sun loungers aplenty.
There are 400 apartments in all, furnished in 3 standards with between 1 and 4 bedrooms. Almost all activities are included in the holiday price.
New upmarket holiday apartments have been added close to the lagoon that sleep up to 6 people, some with outdoor jacuzzis.
That's all for now, but be sure to check back next time when we will have the final 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.