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TripAdvisor Calls Out World's Quirkiest Lodging
Ruffing It: The Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho.
(PRNewsFoto/TripAdvisor)
NEEDHAM, MA UNITED STATES
Atypical Accommodations Span from Alaska to Australia and Run from $50 to
$2150 per Night
NEEDHAM, Mass., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor(R), the world's
largest travel community, today announced the world's quirkiest lodging,
according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070905/NEW019 )
1. Forget the Alamo, Remember the Aurora: Forget-Me-Not Lodge and The
Aurora Express, Fairbanks, Alaska -- Average nightly rate: $130
This incredible B&B is set on the picturesque hills of Fairbanks,
Alaska, where guests enjoy amazing views and unique accommodations in
restored antique Alaska Railroad Pullman cars. Each car is masterfully
decorated with a Gold Rush-era theme for a wonderfully authentic railroad
experience, and according to travelers, the breakfasts just can't be
missed. As one TripAdvisor member said, "Make a reservation, select a room
and get ready for a terrific ride."
2. Icy Reception: Icehotel, Marknadsvagen, Sweden -- Average nightly
rate: $402
Besides rooms, the Icehotel Sweden offers a completely icy experience
with everything from an art exhibition to a chapel, all of course, carved
from ice. Travelers break the ice with fellow travelers over a cold one at
the icebar, with cool blue lighting, while chilling out on sculpted ice
stools. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "The hotel is absolutely amazing
-- built completely from ice, and maintained at -5 C."
3. Repeat Offender: Malmaison Oxford Castle, Oxford, England -- Average
nightly rate: $361
The converted prison's second straight year on this list, Malmaison
Oxford Castle is where lifelong dreams of becoming institutionalized come
true. Unlike an actual jail, the accommodations are outstanding, but when
you are ready to escape, Oxford features many great shops and restaurants
nearby. According to a TripAdvisor traveler, "Wow it was absolutely amazing
-- the quirkiest hotel I have ever stayed in -- amazing staff, amazing food
and the nicest bathroom."
4. Ruffing It: Dog Bark Park Inn, Cottonwood, Idaho -- Average nightly
rate: $88
If you like canines, this hotel is your dog. The not so-subtly named
property is a humongous dog-shaped building that features a completely
dog-themed interior. You'll get better than dog food at this bed and
breakfast, however, as well as beautiful views of the mountains and
farmlands. One TripAdvisor member said, "This is a "must-go" for anyone
wanting a laid back, nowhere else kind of experience in the most beautiful
part of Idaho."
5. Book Smart: McMenamin's Kennedy School, Portland, Oregon -- Average
nightly rate: $96
You're never too cool for school at Kennedy, as the authentic classroom
feel of a converted school house offers guests a trip down memory lane.
Terrific accommodations, including blackboards in the rooms, a movie
theatre and a soaking pool in the former teacher's lounge make Kennedy an
honor roll quirky hotel. According to one TripAdvisor traveler, "This place
is so cool, I'd go back to Portland just to stay there."
6. Caving Inn: Gamirasu Cave Hotel: Ayvali koyu, Urgup, Turkey --
Average nightly rate: $142
A cave dwelling and restored monastic retreat, the Gamirasu Cave Hotel
features windy passages and Cappadocia furnished rooms overlooking the
village of Ayvali. A layer of volcanic rock, also known as Tufa, keeps the
caves warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As one TripAdvisor
traveler said, "Gamirasu is a fantastic place with unique, comfortable cave
rooms that come with wonderful extras like a set of slippers to warm your
feet!"
7. Fit (and Priced) for a King: King Pacific Lodge, North Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada -- Average all-inclusive three day rate: $6,500
Only reachable by seaplane, the King Pacific Lodge features five-star
accommodations on a floating barge. The all-inclusive lodge provides
remarkable food, spectacular views, an amazing spa, a number of outstanding
outdoor activities, including whale-watching, hiking, kayaking and salmon
fishing, and unparalleled serenity. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "To
say that this is a unique and spectacular place barely does it justice."
8. Wild Ride: Fur N' Feathers Rainforest Tree Houses, Tarzali,
Queensland, Australia -- Average nightly rate: $236
Set high on stilts among the canopy of a rain forest, Fur N' Feathers
offers an authentic nature experience complete with spectacular views and
peaceful seclusion. If you stay at these rain forest tree house cabins,
however, be prepared to share space with wildlife of all kinds, from
platypus to possum to parrots. According to one TripAdvisor traveler, "If
you like your wildlife wild then you will love this place."
9. Fit to a Teepee: Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Arizona -- Average nightly
rate: $45
Its second year on the top ten quirky hotel list and with a unique
price to match, the Wigwam Motel is a series of teepee-style cement tents
along the legendary U.S. Route 66 that offers kitschy fun. A throwback to
the 50's with classic cars parked outside, an old railroad nearby and
vintage accommodations inside the teepees, Wigwam is a great stop for
travelers looking to step back to simpler times. According to a TripAdvisor
traveler, "The Wigwam Motel is a unique retro motel, one of the few of its
kind left in the USA."
10. Royal Style: The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland --
Average nightly rate: $454
Part medieval, part gothic and all opulence, The Witchery by the Castle
on Edinburgh's Royal Mile offers an over-the-top experience for its guests.
In an historic 15th century building that is only a stone's throw from
famous Edinburgh Castle, visitors will enjoy an amazing array of antiques,
and amorous ambiance. According to one TripAdvisor traveler, "The decor is
outstanding, real thought and effort into all the little extras. Has to be
the most unique hotel we've ever stayed in."
"Our quirky hotel list is perfect for travelers seeking something out
of the ordinary," said Michele Perry, director of communications for
TripAdvisor. "Offering a wide range of options, these properties span from
the Outback to Oxford and from less than $50 a night to more than $2,150 a
night."
About TripAdvisor Media Network
TripAdvisor(R) Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts
nearly 30 million monthly visitors (source: comScore Media Metrix, Digital
Calculator Report, July 2007) across eight popular travel brands,
TripAdvisor(R) sites, bookingbuddy.com (TM), cruisecritic.com(TM),
independenttraveler.com(TM), seatguru.com(R), smartertravel.com(TM),
travel-library.com(TM) and travelpod.com(TM). TripAdvisor-branded sites
make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 25
million monthly visitors, five million registered members and 10 million
reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers,
TripAdvisor-branded sites cover 270,000+ hotels and attractions and operate
in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com), the U.K.
(http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk), France (http://www.tripadvisor.fr) and
Germany (http://www.tripadvisor.de). TripAdvisor(R) Media Network provides
travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a
cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the
TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from
press and industry, worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the
TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq:
EXPE).
TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor.com, bookingbuddy.com, cruisecritic.com,
independenttraveler.com, seatguru.com, smartertravel.com,
travel-library.com and travelpod.com are either trademarks or registered
trademarks of TripAdvisor, LLC, in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other
logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks
of their respective owners. |
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