By Jay Tillotson
At one time, a hotel was just a regular building with lots of rooms, a dining room, bar and perhaps a gym and swimming pool. But as more and more people are demanding something different from their holidays, hotels are becoming increasingly more elaborate and extraordinary.
The latest craze to hit the travel world is the underwater hotel. And where else but Dubai for this feat of hotel engineering? The £300 million Hydropolis will cost roughly £2,780 per room per night and boasts 220 guest suites, an auditorium and a ballroom, both of which break the surface to allow open-air events. The hotel even houses a marine biology laboratory and a cosmetic surgery practice.
But the Hydropolis is by no means the only underwater hotel. Fiji is constructing their own Poseidon Mystery Island, located amidst a vibrant coral reef spanning 5000 acres. Poseidon will offer a library, 3000 square foot rotating restaurant, and even a wedding chapel. Room prices are set to be around £15,000 per person. It's due to open in 2009, so start saving now!
Keeping with the water theme, ice hotels have also been more popular over the last decade. The Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada hosts a nightclub, hot tubs, sauna, and a bar where drinks are served in glasses made of ice. Prices are around £175 per night.
But the Canadians weren't the first to make use of ice as a tourist trap. The first ice hotel was actually built in Sweden, and has been operating since the 1970's. Every year, the IceHotel gets re-built as the previous year's ice perishes.
Hotels are being built to suit just about every terrain and concept. There are hotels built underground, and in trees. Some have sections that revolve, some have entire blocks of suites that revolve, giving the guest a different view every morning. And for those who don't like staying in the same place, why not stay at a mobile hotel? The Exploranter is one such hotel which travels around Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Made from a converted Scania truck and trailer, the Exploranter can sleep 28 people and has a kitchen and hot showers.
Whatever you're into, you're almost guaranteed to find a hotel to match it. The only limit is your pocket.
Find cheap hotels, unusual hotels or luxury hotels online.
J Tillotson is a travel author based in the UK
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Hotels With a Difference
