The most interesting and unique hotels in the world

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Oman

The Setting

Dramatically perched 2,000 metres atop the rugged contours of the Saiq Plateau on the mythical Green Mountain of Oman, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is the Middle East’s highest luxury resort. Regarded as one of the world’s best hotels, it sits on the edge of a grand canyon and offers dramatic views offset by authentic Omani hospitality. Arabian indulgence awaits in the 115 rooms and villas, which feature opulent furnishings and luxury amenities.

What to do

Breathtaking views and five-star accoutrements aside, the resort offers an exhaustive array of activities to suit all preferences. Gaze at the night sky from a fort platform, take a plunge in the infinity pool or relax in the shisha lounge. Dine alfresco with a luxury mountain picnic, learn how to prepare exotic Arabian cuisine at the Spice Spoons Cooking School and photograph the Milky Way during an evening photography class. For those looking to unwind, the Anantara Spa offers ancient Arabian treatments that revitalise and recharge. Further afield, explore ancient forts, peruse the Nizwa souk and visit remote villages on the slopes of the surrounding mountains.

How to get there

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Oman’s Muscat International Airport. From there, guests transfer to the resort in a 4x4 kitted out with Wi-Fi and vehicle entertainment consoles. Flight times London Heathrow to Muscat International Airport are dependant on many variables, however below are some examples:

• A midsize jet, such as an eight-seat Cessna Citation Excel, take seven hours and 19 minutes.
• A super midsize jet like a Dassault Falcon 50 50EX, which seats nine passengers, takes seven hours and 20 minutes.
• A heavy jet such as a Bombardier Global 5000, seating 14, takes just under six-and-a-half hours.

The Silo Hotel, South Africa

The Setting

The Silo towers over Cape Town with 360-degree views of Table Bay, Signal Hill and Table Mountain. Its iconic steel-and-glass structure sits atop an old grain silo, which now houses the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA). A breathtaking convergence of innovative architecture and design, guests have their pick of 28 rooms and a lavish penthouse suite. The Silo Hotel is adorned with art from some of the continent’s preeminent artists, encapsulating the diverse and colourful culture of this vibrant city.

What to do

Peruse the expertly curated collection at the Zeitz MOCAA, enjoy a bespoke treatment at The Silo’s spa or toast the sunset from the rooftop bar. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, guests are just a stone’s throw from some of Cape Town’s top attractions. Indulge in retail therapy at the V&A Waterfront, ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain or stroll along Sea Point’s promenade. Indulge in some of the region’s best tipples in the surrounding winelands and soak up the sun at blue flag beaches Llandudno and Clifton. Embark on a game drive to observe Africa’s Big Five at the Aquila Game Reserve and get up close and personal with penguins at Boulders Beach. To top it all off, sample local shisa nyama (barbecue) washed down with local craft beer.

How to get there

Cape Town International Airport – open to both commercial flights and private jet charters – is a short 20-minute drive from the city centre. Flight times from London Heathrow to Cape Town International Airport depend on the type of aircraft chartered, but the below examples provide an indication:

• A heavy jet, like a 16-seat Gulfstream V, take 11 hours and 30 minutes.
• An ultra long range heavy jet, such as a Dassault Falcon 7X seating 17 passengers, takes just under 10 hours.

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, Switzerland

The Setting

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is located in the picturesque “Heidiland” of Eastern Switzerland – the same landscape that inspired Johanna Spyri to pen beloved children’s classic Heidi. Globally regarded as Europe’s best wellbeing resort, this amazing hotel combines luxurious accommodation with world-class wellness and medical treatments to help guests recharge and rejuvenate.

What to do

The resort boasts several thermal pools which are naturally heated at 36 degrees celsius. Guests can unwind with offers tailor-made spa treatments, including a herbal steam bath featuring Swarovski crystals, and consult with the renowned in-house medical team for a bespoke wellness plan. Additional world-class facilities include Michelin-starred dining, an on-site casino and two golf courses.

How to get there

Guests fly to Zurich Airport, followed by a one-hour flight to the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz. Flight times from London Heathrow to Zurich International Airport vary depending on the type of aircraft, but the following examples will give you an idea of what to expect:

• A light jet such as a Hawker Beechcraft 200 Premier II, which seats six passengers, takes one hour and 22 minutes.
• A turboprop, such as a 10-seat Cessna F406 Caravan II, takes two hours and 20 minutes.
• A midsize jet, like an eight-seat Hawker Beechcraft 800, takes one hour and 24 minutes.

The Brando, French Polynesia

The Setting

Located on the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa, The Brando is paradise personified. White sandy beaches, crystal clear water and an abundance of flora and fauna await. Guests are housed in 24 private villas meticulously designed to reflect French Polynesian culture, providing a serene base from which to explore the island. Modern amenities coupled with luxury furnishings and an alfresco bathtub and terrace set amidst coconut, pandanus and miki miki trees make this a truly unforgettable retreat.

What to do

As if the awe-inspiring location wasn’t enough, guests can fill their days with a plethora of activities at The Brando. Immerse yourself in nature as you take to the sea with a paddleboard or kayak, cycle around the island with your own bicycle or explore the wonders of Tetiaroa alongside one of the island’s research scientists. If you prefer a slower pace, take a dip in Mermaid Bay or soak up the sun by the spectacular lagoon.

Getting there

Guests travelling to Tetiaroa fly into Faa’a International Airport in Papeete, Tahiti before taking a short flight to the atoll. Charter a private jet for the entirety of your journey or just for the flight from Papeete to Tetiaroa. Flight durations and routes vary depending on the aircraft and point of departure:

• Flying from London Heathrow to Los Angeles International (LAX) in a heavy jet like a 14-seat Bombardier Global 5000 takes nine hours and 41 minutes. Continuing on from LAX to Faa’a International Airport on the same aircraft takes a further seven hours and 14 minutes, with a total flight time of just under 17 hours.
• A flight from London Heathrow to LAX in a heavy jet (ultra long range) like a 16-seat Gulfstream G550 takes 10 hours and 20 minutes. The second leg of the flight, from LAX to Faa’a International Airport on the same aircraft, takes seven hours and 43 minutes. Total flight time is just over 18 hours.

Ashford Castle, Ireland

The Setting

Steeped in history, Ashford Castle – a 13th-century Irish castle which was once home to the Guinness Family – promises an experience like no other. Located in the West of Ireland in County Mayo, this magnificent hotel is the epitome of traditional grandeur and modern convenience. The 800-year-old castle comprises 83 guest rooms and suites, as well as a cottage set in a former bathhouse, each of which are individually designed and lovingly refurbished with antique furniture, palatial fittings and opulent touches.

What to do

As if Ashford Castle’s impressive interior wasn’t enough, a wide array of on-site activities has earned this Irish gem numerous accolades. Step back in time and try your hand at flying a hawk at Ireland’s oldest falconry school. If you fancy yourself as a good shot, learn the ancient sport of archery or shoot clay pigeons under the guidance of expert instructors. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge in a sumptuous afternoon tea before whiling away the hours with a private screening in the castle’s cinema. End your day with a treatment at the award-winning spa in preparation for more activities including boating, fishing, horse-riding, golf and tennis.

Getting there

The closest airport to Ashford Castle is Galway Airport, which is exclusive to private jet charters. The exact flight duration from London Heathrow to Galway Airport depends on the type of aircraft chartered; the below examples give a good idea of what to expect:

• A very light jet, like a four-seat Embraer Phenom 100, takes just under one hour.
• A turboprop such as a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan, which can accommodate 14 passengers, takes just under two hours.
• A midsize jet like a Bombardier Learjet 60 60XR, seating seven, takes 47 minutes.

Free Spirit Spheres, Vancouver Island, Canada

The setting

Stay in a unique treehouse in Vancouver Island’s coastal rainforest nestled in the famous Lighthouse Country. The unusual spheres are made from local wood like cedar and sitka spruce as well as fibreglass and are securely suspended from the treetops. Designed to resemble nuts, the pods are insulated and provide stunning views over the wild Canadian landscape.

What to do

Activities on Vancouver Island vary depending on the season. In the summer, you can relax on sandy beaches like Qualicum and Parksville. Explore the Lighthouse Country Regional Trail all-year-round, stopping at the best local landmarks such as the Horne Lake Caves, Rosewall Creek Park and Mount Washington.

Getting there

To get to Free Spirit Spheres, fly to Nanaimo Airport, which is roughly an 11-hour journey from London Heathrow. An ultra-long-range jet like a 16-seat Gulfstream G550 or a heavy jet like a Gulfstream V can complete this trip in nine hours.

Palacio de Sal, Bolivia

The setting

Stay in the first hotel made entirely of salt. The Palacio de Sal is one of the most unusual hotels on the planet and lies in the Uyuni Salt Flats. Enjoy views of the snow-white landscape from your room and don’t miss the star-filled night sky. The hotel has a bar, 16 heated rooms and a restaurant serving local specialities such as salt chicken.

What to do

Tour the Uyuni Salt Flats in a 4x4 jeep, stopping to take fun perspective shots and visit cacti-studded islands. Head further to the Siloli Desert to see volcanoes and geothermal delights such as geysers and steaming hot pools. Highlights include the red-tinted Laguna Colorada, which is home to thousands of flamingos and the striking Stone Tree formation.

How to get there

Fly to Joya Andina Airport and take a jeep tour to the Palacio de Sal, less than 10 miles from Uyuni. You’ll likely need to fly to Bolivia’s La Paz and connect to Uyuni. An ultra-long-range jet like the 19-seat Bombardier Global XRS 6000 takes 12 hours to complete this trip in style and luxury.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland

The Setting

Ever wanted to stay in your very own snow globe? Located in the north of Finland, right at the edge of the Arctic Circle, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is one of the most unique hotels on Earth. Guests can sleep in cosy glass igloos through which they can gaze at the mystical Northern Lights.

What to do

A number of intriguing activities are available at the hotel or nearby – including enjoying a traditional smoke sauna, savouring Lappish à la carte cuisine, going on an Arctic dog-sled safari, taking a reindeer excursion or ice fishing. There are also plenty of opportunities to relax and experience the incredible local culture.

How to get there

Guests travelling to Finland fly into Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. From here, you can take a quick flight to Ivalo Airport, which is a 30-minute drive from the resort. Contact ACS to arrange your private jet charter. Flight durations vary depending on the aircraft and your chosen point of departure:

• Flying from London City Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in a light jet like a six-seat Hawker Beechcraft Premier I IA takes up to just over three hours. Continuing from Helsinki to Ivalo Airport on the same aircraft takes up to an hour and 45 minutes, with a total flight time of up to four hours and 45 minutes.
• A flight from London Gatwick to Helsinki in a very light jet like a four-seat Eclipse 500 550 takes up to three hours and 15 minutes. The second leg of the flight, from Helsinki to Ivalo Airport on the same aircraft, takes up to one hour and 45 minutes, with a total flight time of up to five hours.

Woodlyn Park, New Zealand

The setting

Woodlyn Park lies in New Zealand’s North Island, two hours from Auckland and a few minutes from the Waitomo caves. The hotel offers a range of quirky one-of-a-kind accommodation options, including Lord of the Rings inspired hobbit dens, a Waitanic ship and a Bristol freighter plane. The unique rooms are built partly from recycled materials and the hobbit houses have an underground design.

What to do

Visit the nearby Waitomo Caves to see thousands of bioluminescent glow worms or go black water rafting in the caves. Drive to hot-sand beaches, trek through forests to cascading waterfalls, travel to Rotorua to explore a thermal landscape dotted with geysers and sulphur pools, or head to beautiful Lake Taupo.

How to get there

To get to Woodlyn Park, fly to Hamilton Airport, which takes roughly 26 hours from London Heathrow. Flying in a heavy jet like the 14-seat Bombardier Global 5000 takes 21 hours and 40 minutes, while an ultra-long-range jet like a 19-seat Embraer Lineage 1000 takes 21 hours and 26 minutes to complete the trip.

Treehotel, Sweden

The Setting

At Sweden’s Treehotel, you can let your imagination run wild. Located in a forest approximately 50km south of the Arctic Circle, the Treehotel takes the treehouse concept to the next level. Guests can choose between a nearly invisible cube camouflaged by mirrored walls, a seemingly hovering metallic UFO, a gigantic bird’s nest or a “Dragonfly” room – the Treehotel’s largest room with large panoramic windows framing a magnificent view of the valley.

What to do

Located in beautiful Lapland, the Treehotel offers a range of adventure activities – from forest skiing in winter to horse-riding in summer. If you prefer a calmer pace, simply gaze at the fabled Northern Lights from the comfort of a snowmobile. Guests can indulge in local cuisine in the hotel’s restaurant, which specialises in Swedish delicacies such as wild game and their finest hand-picked berries.

How to get there

Fly into Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, followed by a 70-minute connecting flight to Luleå Airport. From there you can transfer to the Treehotel on a private tour with a personal guide. The hotel also offers helicopter transfers from Luleå Airport, which take around 25 minutes. Flight durations from London Heathrow to Stockholm vary depending on your choice of private jet:

• A very light jet, like a four-seat Embraer Phenom 100, takes up to four hours.
• A turboprop such as a Piper Cheyenne (400LS), which can accommodate nine passengers, takes up to five hours.

Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Spain

The Setting

What could be better than unwinding in Spain’s wine country and staying at one of the world’s most architecturally distinctive luxury hotels? Combining design, art, award-winning gastronomy, wine and lush landscapes, the Hotel Marqués de Riscal was created by the visionary Frank Gehry and has become a highly sought-after luxury retreat. Located in the medieval town of Elciego and surrounded by the City of Wine, the hotel promises a stay that tantalises all the senses.

What to do

The hotel’s medieval surroundings make for a rich experience – from historical sites and cultural attractions to world-class wines. Less than a kilometre away, guests will find the magnificent 16th-century Church of San Andreas Apostol; while Elciego boasts plenty of wine boutiques and cellars where wine connoisseurs will be spoilt for choice. When you’ve worked up an appetite wandering the beautiful streets, head back to the hotel for a delicious meal in the Michelin-starred Marqués de Riscal Restaurant with panoramic views over the Cantabrian Mountains, then unwind in the spa with a signature Vinothérapie treatment.

How to get there

We recommend guests fly in to Bilbao Airport, which is approximately one hour and 20 minutes’ drive from the hotel. Another regional airport is the national Logroño-Agoncillo Airport, located 25km away. To give you an indication of what to expect during your private jet charter, here are some possible routes with approximate flight durations:

• Flying from London Heathrow to Bilbao Airport in a very light jet like a four-seat Cessna Citation Mustang takes up to one hour and 45 minutes.
• A flight from London Heathrow to Logroño-Agoncillo Airport in the same jet takes up to one hour and 51 minutes.

Giraffe Manor, Kenya

The Setting

It’s not every day you get the opportunity to bond with a Rothschild’s giraffe, especially not while having breakfast or dinner at a VIP hotel. At Giraffe Manor in Kenya, though, that’s exactly what guests can look forward to. This exclusive boutique hotel is set on 12 acres of private land within an indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. As if the stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards weren’t enough, guests are delighted by regular sightings of the hotel’s resident herd of giraffes, who like to greet visitors by poking their heads through the windows.

What to do

As an East Africa specialist tour operator, the hotel creates bespoke itineraries to guarantee the perfect stay. Go on a horse-riding excursion, marvel at sweeping landscapes from a hot-air balloon, camp under the stars, enjoy a camel trekking adventure or visit local villages to learn about native traditions.

How to get there

Giraffe Manor is located just under 10km from the nearest airport, Nairobi Wilson Airport. Avoid the masses and charter a private jet. Flight times from London Gatwick to Nairobi Wilson Airport depend on the type of aircraft chartered, but the below examples provide an indication:

• A super midsize jet like a Hawker Beechcraft 400XP XPR Nextant, with capacity for seven passengers, takes roughly between seven and 10 hours, with a possible fuel stop required.
• An ultra long range airliner like a 19-seat Embraer Lineage 1000 takes up to just over 10 hours.

The Muraka underwater villa at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

The Setting

The Muraka at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is the first of its kind and a triumph of design and technology. The underwater villa’s glass living spaces are submerged five metres beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean, allowing guests to marvel at underwater coral and ocean life from the comfort of their lodgings. Opening in November 2018 at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, this spectacular accommodation is guaranteed to attract many a curious visitor, so book early to secure your space.

What to do

Hop on a speedboat for a snorkelling safari, enjoy a sunset cruise, swim with turtles, hire a jet deck and enjoy the thrill of being propelled above the ocean. For guests who prefer a serene setting to an adrenaline-packed adventure, there’s a wide range of spas with a series of exotic Maldivian indigenous treatments designed to relax, revive and refresh.

How to get there

The closest airport is Malé International. From here, guests can either take a 30-minute seaplane flight to the hotel or a short domestic flight to a nearby island, followed by a speedboat transfer. Alternatively, you can arrive via a luxury three-hour yacht charter. Flight times from London Heathrow to Malé International Airport are dependent on many variables, such as the type of aircraft chartered, but the below examples provide an indication of what to expect:

• A midsize jet, such as an 18-seat Airbus A313 Elite, takes up to 11-and-a-half hours with one to two fuel stops required.
• An ultra long range jet such as a Gulfstream G550, seating 16, takes up to 12 hours and 45 minutes.

Got wanderlust? Explore some of the world’s most unique hotels by chartering a private jet through Air Charter Service. From a weekend trip to the country to cross-continent adventures, we’ll provide you with the very best in private jet charter service.

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