Are these the most outrageous hotel designs ever?
TWISTED. Creepy. Crocodile-shaped. A road that cuts right through a tower. You'll wonder if your eyes are playing tricks on you when you see these structures.
TWISTED. Creepy. Cool. Crocodile-shaped.
You'll wonder if your eyes are playing tricks on you when you check out these nine strange and spectacular hotels from around the world. The list was inspired by travel website Trivago.com.au.
One thing's for sure - the designers certainly thought outside the box when they came up with these strange structures.
1. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
The Marina Bay Sands hotel is a five-star, $5 billion integrated resort with 55 levels, a huge infinity pool on top, an indoor canal, a museum shaped like a lotus flower, shops and restaurants, theatres, a museum and a casino.
The hotel's design, which some have described as resembling three cricket stumps (or playing cards) and topped with a boat-shaped deck, definitely stands out.
What it's like to stay at the Marina Bay Sands
2. Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Kakadu, Australia
Stay right in the centre of Australia's largest national park, and inside a giant crocodile-shaped hotel. The Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn is located in Jaibru. It's a starting point for exploration and leisure in the area with golf, tennis, local stores, 4x4 tours and options to visi the 200 metre-high Jim-Jim and Twin Falls.
It's probably the only time you'll wish to be inside a crocodile ...
3. Dog Bark Park Inn, Idaho, US
Next up, we're keeping with the animal theme. You're sure to land in the doghouse when you visit this hotel! Inside the world's biggest beagle lies the Dog Bark Park Inn, a quirky bed and breakfast guesthouse. There's a lot inside the beagle's belly: a loft room, several sleeping spaces and all the normal hotel functions. Sweet Willy is this doggie's name, and the little one beside him is known as Toby.
4. Marques de Riscal, Eltziego, Spain
This hotel was designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry, who also created the Dancing House in Prague and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Hotel Marques de Riscal is located in the heart of a wine region in the Spanish Basque Country town of Eltziego, and the design is meant to reflect a wine bottle and vines.
5. Hang Viet Nga "crazy house", Vietnam
This creepy fairytale tree house was named after the architect who built it, Hang Viet Nga. It's known for its dark, Alice in Wonderlandish mood. Would you dare to stay here?
6. Q uinta Real, Zacatecas, Mexico
Quinta Real Zacatecas is a five-star hotel built into the grandstand of the famous San Pedro bullfighting ring in Zacatecas, Mexico. Constructed in the 19th century, the ring witnessed its last fight in 1975 and has since won awards for its restoration as a hotel. Quinta Real retains all the character and beauty of the original bullring and has 49 suites, decorated in the classic colonial style and featuring original artwork.
7. Palacio de Sal, Uyuni, Bolivia
Palacio de Sal, or Palace of Salt, really goes against the grain. The unique hotel lies in the heart of the Salt flats of Uyuni, Bolivia. Not only is the building made from salt, but much of the interior, such as tables, chairs, beds and sculptures, is also crafted from salt.
See more images of the salt hotel
8. The Atlantis, Dubai, UAE
This is one spectacular hotel design. The Atlantis is perched on Dubai's famous Palm Island and has underwater suites, a waterpark and an experience where you can swim with dolphins. It's definitely a head-turner.
9. Hyatt Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dubai's neighbour also has some interesting structures. The Capital Gate is one of the tallest buildings in Abu Dhabi and is well-known for its record-breaking 18 degree lean to the west, even more of a tilt than the famous leaning tower of Pisa. The 35-storey hotel is a part of, and the focal point of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the largest conference and events centre in the middle east. The Hyatt includes 189 rooms with 22 of them being suites, an outdoor pool and a fitness centre.
Go inside the world's most crooked tower
On a final note, we just had to include these two building that aren't actually hotels, but also have really unusual designs. They're just too good to miss.
Gate Tower building, Osaka, Japan
One of the most interesting buildings in Japan, the Hanshin Expressway cuts right through the Gate Tower Building. It occupies floors 5, 6 and 7. Don't worry, the lift won't stop there - it jumps straight to the 8th level. The tower is the result of a strange compromise between the land owner and the Japanese Government. The owner wanted to redevelop the building but the government has already planned the expressway, so after five years of negotiations they decided on this solution.
20 Fenchurch Street (otherwise known as the "Walkie Talkie Tower"), London
The building is now nicknamed the Walkie Scorchie after light reflected from the curved glass surfaces of the 160 metre tower ended up creating scorching beams that melted cars in the street below. Owners say the problem has now been fixed.
Wild details in Aussie chain’s luxe new hotel
This iconic Aussie hotel chain has really upped the ante with its first entry into a competitive Asian market.
Hidden road reveals mass Aussie shift
It was a nondescript right-hand turn that paved the way to a secluded pebbled driveway. What sat beyond the gates was a new trend set to envelop Aussie travellers.
Insane Aussie hotel makes world’s best list
The hotel was ranked in the top 50 best hotels in the world – beating some of the globe’s most luxury locations in cities like New York and London.