UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS

Some hotel alternatives are fascinating for their uniqueness. Castles, lighthouses, monasteries and even caves add an unusual twist to any vacation. Since these facilities are found only in certain areas of the world, they are categorized here by destination without regard to cost.

North America
South and Central America and the Caribbean,
Western Europe
Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East
Asia
Africa
Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

North America

  1. Teepees:
    i.
    Cime Aventure 200, chemin A. Arsenault, Bonaventure, PQ, Canada, G0C 1E0,
    Tel: (418) 534-2333, Fax: (418) 534-3133, Email: info@cimeaventure.com
    Cime Aventure has five 2-person teepees available.

ii. The Great Canadian Adventure Company rents authentic Sioux Indian teepees
in the unspoiled Rocky Mountains, only 45 minutes from Calgary.

  1. Caves:
    i. Cave home in Farmington - guests must be able to negotiate a 70 ft. cliffside staircase.

  2. Lighthouses:
    i. Lighthouses Known to Offer Guest Accommodations.
  3. Teepees:
    i. Hermit Gulch Campground is nestled in Avalon Canyon near the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden and the hiking trails of Catalina Island. Teepees are available for rent.

ii. Five Pines Campground, off Rte 381, S. Farmington, PA, Tel: 412-329-4606 Tent sites, teepee rental, RV hookups, showers, game room, outdoor pool, fishing lake & restaurant (open 6 a.m.) in the Ohiopyle area.

South and Central America and the Caribbean

  1. Monasteries:
    i.
    Casa Santo Domingo is a five-star Colonial Monastery located in Santiago de los Caballeros, the capital city of the late Kingdom of Guatemala.

Western Europe

  1. Castles:
    i.
    Langley Castle Hotel is a 14th Century castle nestling in the Northumbrian valley of the South Tyne.

  2. Dormitories:

  3. i. The Guide to London has a listing of Student Halls that are available during the Summer, Easter and Christmas holidays.

  4. Lighthouses:

  5. i. The Old Higher Lighthouse in Dorset is an 18th century lighthouse with three self catering cottages.

    ii. The West Usk Lighthouse is located at the junction of estuaries of Rivers Usk and Severn.

  1. Monasteries:
    i. Valamo Monastery Hotel has guest rooms available.

  1. Castles:
    i. Castles and Towers is a listing of the castle hotels along the Rhine.  Booking information is provided in German, English and Japanese.

    ii.  German castles, fortresses, palaces, monasteries, convents and historical houses that provide accommodations.
     

  1. Dormitories:
    i. The Edda Hotels are moderately priced and operated by The Iceland Tourist Bureau. Many are school dormitories that are available to tourists during the summer season, from early June to the end of August.

  1. Castles:
    i. Dromoland Castle Hotel is one of Ireland's most famous baronial castles that dates from the 16th century and is the ancestral seat of the O'Briens.

    ii. Gregans Castle Hotel holds a wealth of treasure for the botanist and explorer of historic ruins. Magnificent views of Galway.

    iii. Kinnitty Castle, located in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, has been lovingly and magnificently restored and its huge oak doors are now open to guests as they have been since 1209.

    iv. Ashford Castle of County Mayo is set deep in the heart of Connemara, an area of spectacular beauty.

    v. Ballynahinch Castle is surrounded by 350 acres of woodlands, rivers and lakes with scenic walks and panoramic views.

  1. Castles:
    i. Castello di Carimate is located to the north of Milan near Como with access to some of Italy's best golf courses and the scenic Lake Como.
  2. ii. Castello di Ripa d'Orcia, Ripa d'Orcia, Italy, Tel: (++39) 0577-897-376 Fax (++39) 0577-898-038. This Tuscan castle overlooks the forested Orcia River near the town of Castiglione d'Orcia.

    iii. Castle San Savino stands in a magnificent, wooded estate where excellent wine and olive oil are produced. It is located in Tuscany between Arezzo and Siena.

  3. Convents and Monasteries:

  4. i. Monastery Doninni is a beautiful former monastery that dates back to 1200. This is where Galileo began his studies and Petrarch refined his poetic inspiration. Only half an hour from Florence, it is a favorite destination for nature enthusiasts, walkers, horse lovers and those in search of a peaceful, historic setting.

    ii. A Sampling of Convents and Monasteries Around Rome Extensive information about reasonably priced lodgings in convents and monasteries throughout Italy may be obtained by contacting:
    CITS, Viale del Monte Oppio, 30 00184 Roma
    Telephone: (39-6) 487-3145 or (39-6) 474-4090
    Fax: (39-6) 474-4432

  1. Pousadas in Portugal: Portuguese pousadas are similar to Spanish paradors and include castles, monasteries and elegant old buildings.
  1. Castles:

  2. i. Glengarry Castle is located 7 miles from Loch Ness. It stands on 60 acres of tranquil woodland near to the ruin of a notable landmark, Invergarry Castle, clan seat of the MacDonells of Glengarry, where Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed after the Battle of Culloden.

    ii. Scotts Castle Holiday features various types of accommodations in several Scottish castles.

    iii. Castle Forbes, home of the Clan Forbes, is set on a magnificent site at the heart of the 6,000 acre Forbes Estate overlooking the River Don in North-East Scotland.

  3. Lighthouses:
    i. The Rua Reidh Lighthouse, situated on a remote peninsula in the North-West Scottish Highlands, is a unique and exciting place to 'get away from it all'.

ii. Tarbet Ness Lighthouse, located near Tain, invites guests to stay in its Keepers Cottage.

  1. Cave Dwellings:

  2. i. Cuevas Pedro Antonio de Alarcón Aparta-Hotel is located in Guadix, 36 miles (60 Kms) from Granada.

    ii. Casas Cueva de Galera are located about 90 miles (150 Kms) north of Granada.

  3. Paradors in Spain: A parador is a state-owned hotel that has special historical significance. Some, but not all, provide accommodations in old castles and convents. Their official web site has limited information but includes the addresses of Spain's tourist offices worldwide where an annual publication about Paradors in Spain may be requested. Paradors in popular places like Granada tend to have lengthy waiting lists and are more expensive. However, there are some fine castles in out of the way places such as Oropesa. For additional information, call or write for their annual publication about the Paradors in Spain.

  4. Monasteries:
    i. The Hostería del Monasterio de San Millán was constructed in a wing of the famous Yuso Monastery in San Millán de la Cogolla. It is located in the heart of the high Rioja which is acclaimed for producing some of the best wines in the world.

  1. Rustici:
    The Vallemaggia tourist office arranges accommodation in 300-400 year old stone buildings throughout the Maggia Valley and its side valleys.

Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East

  1. Kibbutz:
    i.
    Kibbutz Country Lodging, Israel - stay in simple, renovated rooms or apartments that were once occupied by kibbutz members.
  1. Cave Dwellings:
    i. Esbelli Evi Pansiyon - cave pension.

    ii. Les Maisons de Cappadoce - cave houses for rent.

    iii. Travel Turkey lists some inexpensive cave pensions in Cappadocia.

  2. Dormitories:
    i. Turkish dormitories are available from July to September to lodgers with IYHF, IYC or ISIC cards, ages 18 to 26 only. This web site information is dated so be sure to check for current dates of availability and prices.

Asia

 

Africa

  1. Cave Dwellings:
    i.
    Kagga Kamma Game Park offers 10 bushman caves with luxury accommodations.

Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands

  1. Dormitories:
    i.
    Mount Aspiring College in Wanaka rents its hostel units during the school holidays.


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