Napa Valley Railway Inn, USA

Take a step back in time to experience the opulent era of the railroad barons, at Napa Valley Railway Inn.

Still resting on their original tracks, these 100-year-old train cars have now been converted into beautiful guest accommodation. But don’t worry, the owners haven’t neglected to include modern conveniences like internet access and flat-screen televisions!

After a good night’s sleep, start your day with a signature beverage and pastry from the Yountville Coffee Caboose. Then head out to explore the surrounding wine country and all it has to offer.

Hotel Pelirocco, UK

With room names such as Knickers, The Pin Up Parlour and the Nookii Room, you might be able to guess why the Hotel Pelirocco has been described as “Brighton’s sauciest stopover”.

The “dirty weekend” isn’t the only thing on the Pelirocco’s mind though. Its 19 themed rooms are centred around everything from art movements and music genres. With its very own bar and a games console in every room it is as far away from a seaside B&B than you can imagine.

With many an up-and-coming band playing and staying at the Pelirocco, you’ll be in the hippest hotel in the trendiest town in England.

Karrels’ Double K Ranch, USA

Escape to the rails by visiting Karrels’ Double K Ranch, the perfect retreat for train enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Here Ken and Mary Karrels will welcome you to their comfortable homestead, where you can stay in your own private caboose – now fully restored and refurbished for your comfort.

During your stay, pay a visit to the Garden Railway where you can enjoy a full ranch breakfast and explore Ken’s impressive collection of model railways. Or if you need to stretch your legs, then take a walk along one of the many nature trails and track down Brighty, the resident wild burro!

The Tea Factory, Sri Lanka

If you’re a self-confessed tea-aholic, then where better to stay than in a genuine Tea Factory?

This Colonial themed hotel is nestled amongst acres of lush tea plantations and offers guests the chance to experience life as tea picker first hand. You’ll learn to identify the freshest leaves and how to pluck each branch correctly, before your harvest is dried ready for you to drink.

After all that tea-picking you’ll no doubt have worked up an appetite. Fortunately the Tea Factory has its very own Railway Carriage Restaurant, where you’ll be welcomed aboard with a shrill whistle and a wave of the green flag by the maître d’.

Don’t expect to see a menu though, at this restaurant the Chef visits each dining ‘passenger’ to discuss their culinary preferences and create a meal unique to them. We don’t recommend you ask for spaghetti hoops though!

Kilindi, Tanzania

For the owners of Kilindi, creating an ecological hotel was such an obvious thing to do, that they coined the phrase ‘logically-eco’. Whatever way you describe it, there’s no doubt that this is a very special place.

Guests can stay in one of 15 beautiful domed pavilions which collect rainwater and store it beneath your sleeping area. The water is later distributed throughout the lush tropical gardens via a network of cascading pools.

At Kilindi you won’t find your room decorated with quaint knick-knacks. Instead they let the beautiful natural surroundings do the talking. Each pavilion has been designed to maximise light, space and pay homage to the stunning views.

Corteza Amarilla Lodge, Costa Rica

Dionne Warwick famously asked “Do you know the way to San José?” and we assume she must have been looking for the Corteza Amarilla Lodge.

Located just 12 minutes from downtown San José, this eclectic hacienda mixes art nouveau, deco, baroque and oriental influences to create a truly one-of-a-kind destination.

The hotel is owned and run by the green-fingered Salgado family, who have been busy reforesting 17 hectares of the local land. But don’t worry, we’re sure they’ll down tools long enough to offer you a very warm welcome to their hotel.

Hope Springs, USA

Retreat to the tranquil oasis of Hope Springs where you can enjoy the beautiful Californian climate without getting caught up in the Hollywood rat race.

This retro-styled hotel is built around a natural hot spring, which flows into not one, but three separate pools. So you’ll be spoilt for choice!

In keeping with the theme of relaxation, the hotel offers a range of exotic treatments with which to pamper yourself. Detox with a marine body wrap or stimulate with an aromatherapy salt glow.

You’ll be so refreshed after a stay at Hope Springs, you may never want to leave!

Treebones Resort, USA

A human-sized bird’s nest might sound like a flight of fancy, but at Treebones Resort it’s actually a reality!

The bird brain behind this idea is resident artist, Jayson Fann, whose giant woven nest gives visitors the chance to experience the ultimate in ‘extreme eco-sleep’. We’re not exactly sure what that means,  but the nest definitely offers a superb perch from which to admire the stunning scenery of Big Sur.

But if the thought of spending a night here ruffles your feathers, then we recommend one of the 16 Mongolian Yurts which make up the rest of the resort. You’ll be afforded a lot more privacy and shelter from the elements!

Marqués de Riscal, Spain

The Marqués de Riscal gives its customers the best of both worlds, it’s weird from the outside and wonderful on the inside.

The exterior of the hotel is adorned with waves of red, gold and silver titanium giving the impression of giant strips of ribbon wrapped around a hotel shaped present. And what a gift it is! The inside of this hotel is a haven of five star luxury.

Situated in Spain’s world-famous Rioja wine region, renowned architect, Frank O. Gehry, has created a truly magnificent hotel that’s a must for any wine-lover. With its converted wine cellar banquet area, unique “wine therapy” massages and of course, a superior selection of wines at the hotel’s bar and restaurant, it’s no surprise that the hotel’s surroundings are known as the “City of Wine”.

Hotel Puerta América, Spain

Whilst some of the hotels we’ve seen have been created by famous artists and architects, the Hotel Puerta América goes the extra mile by commissioning not one, or even two, but 12 different designers to give the hotel its unique look.

Each designer has styled one floor of the hotel, and the variety of their work gives the illusion of 12 different hotels under one roof.

If you’re forward thinking, then book a room on the first floor – expect futuristic style, fluid spaces and organic furniture. If you prefer your creature comforts, then the fifth floor offers warm colours, sophisticated materials and a touch of the baroque.

At the Hotel Puerta América, you could visit a dozen times and still find new surprises.

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