Are you an adventurous type who looks for holidays out of the norm?
Not for you the all-inclusive resorts that are springing up all over the world where you never step foot outside your cosseted cocoon!
You like the wind in your hair, places to see, have the spirit of explorer in your soul – but you still like a little bit of luxury regarding accommodation.
I have the very place and holiday for you!
Three Camels Lodge is in Mongolia, a premier luxury expedition camp. With superb service, sophistication and adventure.
Where is it situated? In the Gobi Desert, in stunning landscape in the Gurvansaikhan National park, sheltered by the 47-million year old volcanic landscape.
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If you can’t afford a first class or business class ticket on your flights this is one way to get yourself a horizontal experience on board an aircraft – although it won’t enable you to join the mile high club as it is permanently located on terra firma!
In December 2008 a converted Boeing 747 opens as the Jumbo Hotel on the tarmac next to Stockholm’s airport as a solution for cheap airport accomodation. It will contain 85 bunks in 25 rooms – plane seats have been removed – all 450 of them. Rooms range from basic / dorm-style with 3 bunks per room at £22 up to the luxury suite in the cockpit priced at £171. The controls are left in (but disengaged). All rooms have wireless internet and flat screen tv’s. Generally toilet and washing facilities are shared, apart from the more luxurious suits upstairs and of course the cockpit suite.
The Cockpit Suite
There is a small café / eating area were you can get snacks or heat up food – not that different to being up in the skies then. The plane has been named called Liv after the owner’s daughter.
The perfect gift for a plane spotter perhaps?
Photo’s courtesy of JumboMotel.com
Many people are aware of The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, but did you know there is now one in Macau, South China? With China’s huge population, their national interest in gambling, belief in luck and the fact that Macau is the only place in China where gambling is legal it was a pretty obvious place for Las Vegas Sands to locate the largest casino in the world. It opened in August 2007 (on a Chinese ‘auspicious’ date), and the developers state that the building is the second largest building in the world; others say it’s the third largest. But whatever – you get the idea….its big! A helpful comparison might be that you should be able to fit 90 747 jets inside.
Like its sister hotel in Vegas – no expense has been spared in the $2.4 billion project. Walls and ceilings are adorned with golf leaf, fresco’s and murals, floors are marble, there are countless statues and the ceiling above the shopping mall and canals is painted with a realistic sky effect that even darkens towards the evening. You can catch a Cirque du Soleil show while there or a concert or two.
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This eco hotel (formally called ‘Fur ‘n’ Feathers Treehouses’ has won many awards. Not surprising when you understand the hotel has a passion for the environment and wildlife. Small is amazingly beautiful, and luxurious, in this instance. So what does The Canopy offer its visitors?
Accommodation is provided in the following:
• 5 two bed-roomed luxury timber and glass tree houses are fully self contained, (all totally secluded and private with fully equipped kitchen, spa baths, a balcony with a BBQ and hammock.
• One larger 3 bedroom house (called the Bower House) with spectacular views of the valley and is on top of a ridge in the rainforest.
• A further two bed rooms are located at ground level within the main building (called the Rainforest Unit) and has wheelchair access.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Fri 12th September 2008 at 02:23 AM, Filed in Unusual Hotels
I have always fancied having a decent sized fish tank in my bathroom – I think it would encourage me to slow down a bit and take more relaxing baths rather than just grabbing a quick shower. However, my bathroom isn’t really large enough, but until that day I have had to make do with visiting aquariums and a few’ under-water’ dining experiences. This seems to be something of a trend as more and more restaurants are opening worldwide offering the chance to nosh while you gaze at fish. Here’s a list of a few – perhaps I should visit them all and compile a top 10 list!
Ithaa Reataurant
Maldives – Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (part of the Hilton Group) – boasts the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant 16th below sea level. Currently this has to be the most ‘extreme’ aquatic dining experience. Unlike many restaurants of this genre, you sit in an acrylic tunnel (some describe is as 180 degree, others as 360 degree views) – but anyway, the fish are all around you rather than just on one side / ‘wall’. This restaurant is about 5 meters below sea level reached by a spiral staircase at the end of a jetty. The cuisine is described as ‘western fusion’ and you need to budget at least $120 for lunch or $220 for dinner – but then nothing’s cheap in the Maldives. As this isn’t an aquarium, but actually under the sea you will be able to see all sorts of marine life – including sharks and sting rays depending on the light – so lunch may be the better option. Hum – not sure what happens if the roof springs a leak though.
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