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.

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!

Kolarbyn, Sweden

If you go down to the woods today you’re in for a big surprise! Well, as long as it’s the woods near the Swedish village of Skinnskatteberg, and you haven’t already heard about the Kolarbyn Eco-lodge!

The Kolarbyn is described by its owners as “Sweden’s most primitive hotel” and we can understand why.  Its 12 forest huts are without electricity and hot water and guests must gather their own firewood if they want to stay warm.

But don’t let this put you off. Kolarbyn has lots to offer as well. Not only is there the opportunity to relax and enjoy getting back in touch with nature, but guests can undertake a Wolf Howling Tour, experience the woods nocturnally during a Night Safari and enjoy beautiful dishes made from local farmers’ produce. Now that’s nature we can all get on board with!

Eco Camp Canyon, Slovenia

If you really want to get away from it all, without leaving an enormous carbon footprint behind you, then why not pack your bags and head off to Slovenia’s Eco Camp Canyon.

Nestled deep in the heart of the breathtaking Triglav National Park, Eco Camp Canyon is just what it claims to be – an “Open Air Hostel”.  Each April, artists from all over the globe converge to construct this natural village, which is why no two camps are ever the same!

But don’t think that getting back to nature means running short of adrenalin! With the vast array of white-knuckle activities on offer, you’re sure never to get bored!

And afterwards, you can get clean in a natural shower, drink and socialise in the Camp’s “Nature bar” and, when day passes, you will be lit by solar powered lights.  Not only that, but you don’t have to bring your camping gear (unless you want to, of course) – it’s all here waiting for you, from blankets to bowls!

So, whether you’re in need of rest and relaxation, or want to be thrilled to the max, Eco Camp Canyon has something for everyone.

Extreme Camping

The crew are in Slovenia’s breathtaking Triglav National Park, exploring Eco Camp Canyon.

They’re all geared up for a real back-to-nature adventure – knapsacks and all!

Call Of Nature

The weird and wonderful tour of Sweden continues and our production team have arrived at Kolarbyn, a forest eco-lodge which proudly describes itself as ‘Sweden’s most primitive hotel’.

These back-to-basics forest huts have no electricity, and with sub-zero temperatures predicted, the crew can expect a very cold night!

Canopy Tower, Panama

Start your day with the sound of birdcalls at Canopy Tower, in the heart of Panama’s Soberanía National Park.

You may be on your holidays, but, for the wildlife that surrounds you, it’s business as usual!  The birds sing, the monkeys howl and the butterflies flutter by! And with your bedroom at treetop level, you are truly at one with nature.

While you breakfast with the birds, you can watch a ship cruise seamlessly through the Panama Canal – breathtaking!

Bulungula Lodge, South Africa

In a remote but beautiful area of South Africa you will find the Bulungula Lodge. Perfect for backpackers, the lodge is part-owned and run by the locals.

Guests can either stay in one of the 12 available mud huts or even go ultra-budget and set up their own tent.

Designed to be eco-friendly, you’ll have to use solar power for cooking, light a fire under the cast-iron bath and even use bike-power – yes, bike-power, to make yourself a smoothie!  But its all worth it when you can see the crystal blue lagoons, rolling hillside and sky so clear you can see shooting stars (if fact, if you don’t see a shooting star on your first night, you stay that night for free!).

Tongabezi Lodge, Zambia

Situated close to the Victoria Falls, on the banks of Africa’s Zambezi River, lies the Tongabezi Lodge.  As close to paradise as Weird & Wonderful Hotels will get!

The unique Tongabezi open huts give guests the opportunity to get back to nature without forfeiting the luxury of a Five Star Hotel. Every hut has a view of the river, allowing you to marvel at the hippos and crocodiles in perfect safety. And all within a short walk from Zambia’s lions and wildebeest!

It’s no surprise that the Lodge is known as a romantic destination; your hut is lit by the setting sun and your entertainment is the bush TV (or fireplace to you and me). It’s not all laid-back luxury, though.  For those with a head for heights and nerves of steel, why not take a dive from a cliff-face into one of the resorts swimming pools – truly memorable!

With all this and the friendliest staff in the world, what more could you ask for?

« Previous Page — Next Page »