Take the road less travelled…
Visit these unique locations to experience some of the inimitable adventures and curious exploits the world has to offer.
Nay Palad Bird NestAY, Kenya
A luxurious lodge set in the heart of the Laikipia plains, one of Kenya’s most spectacular safari locations is the Nay Palad Bird Nest; a living space with a 360 degree view of the beautiful wilderness. Guests are brought to the Bird Nest just before sunset where the nest is lit up with lanterns, with champagne and culinary delights laid out ready for the night ahead. From the cosy comfort of the nest guests will enjoy a picnic-style dinner and fall asleep under the sparkling sky, waking in the morning to breakfast while elephants, giraffe and other wildlife gather at the river.
segera.com/nay-palad-bird-nest
Pioneertown Motel, California
A gateway to the great California desert, Pioneertown Motel was originally built in 1946 by famed actor Roy Rogers as a waypost for the movie stars of old Westerns. Pioneertown and the motel have stood as a refuge for sun-drenched travellers for years; featuring 19 guest rooms, desert gardens and Pappy and Harriet’s western bar, the property was refurbished in 2014 as a one-stop modern desert roadhouse. Nearby is the Pioneertown Preserve, perfect for hiking and horse-riding.
pioneertown-motel.com
Art Hotel Atelier Sul Mare, Italy
Located on the northern coast of Sicily, just a few metres from the heavenly blue sea, lies the only art-museum-hotel in the world, Atelier sul Mare. Situated in an enchanting village, this world famous hotel offers an unforgettable experience for artloving explorers; sleeping inside art. With 100 beds for guests, the chance to change rooms each night to explore the different artistic creations of each suite, flower-filled balconies facing the sea, pottery classes, Italian cuisine classes and art exhibitions, there will never be a dull moment while staying in this unique art hotel.
arthotelateliersulmare.hotelsinsicily.it
Free Spirit Spheres, Canada
Tranquil treehouses await visitors in the coastal rainforest of Vancouver Island in Canada with Free Spirit Spheres. This exotic hotel hopes to connect travellers with nature as you can spend up to a week suspended amongst the trees, sleeping in the Eryn, Melody or Luna Spheres, each with their own composting outhouse at the base, and a private three-piece bathroom located in the bathhouse, 50m from your sphere. All made from local wood and filled with cosy bedding, each sphere is comfortably designed to transport guests to the nostalgic days of tree climbing.
freespiritspheres.com
The Aurora Express, Alaska
A whimsical bed and breakfast in Fairbanks, Alaska, The Aurora Express is constructed from renovated vintage railroad carriages. Dining cars and sleeper cars were transported to their current home among the spruce trees, as the majestic trains are now permanently situated on railroad tracks overlooking the panoramic views of the Alaskan Mountain Range. Each carriage has been individually designed and decorated to represent a different era, transporting guests back to the golden age of travel.
fairbanksalaskabedandbreakfast.com
No Man’s Fort, Portsmouth
The largest hotel in the trio of Solent Forts venues, a man-made line of defence in the world wars, No Man’s Fort is one of the UK’s most secluded and alternative stays for daring travellers. Boasting 23 luxury suites with historical architecture and finishes, all with sea views, No Man’s Fort is an unrivalled sea escape. Guests can also enjoy five bars, rooftop hot tubs, a cabaret club, an included drinks reception, three course dining, breakfast and a full tour of the historical fortress to explore the vast and varied facilities, all without a neighbour in sight.
solentforts.com
Sun Cruise Resort, South Korea
A hotel resort on the east coast of South Korea that is the world’s first on-land cruise ship, Sun Cruise Resort & Yacht includes over 200 rooms and six restaurants, known to have the best view of the sunrise in Korea. Perched on a coastal cliff in Jeongdongjin, the resort also features a golf range, nightclub and karaoke bar, a fitness club, rotating bar and landscaped gardens, as well as an observation deck with a glass floor suspended over the waves of the ocean, incorporating all the must-haves of a traditional cruise, without having to travel the seas.
esuncruise.com
This article was originally published in Issue 12 – Hold Your Head High. You can purchase previous issues and enjoy more enchanting content here.
