Nursdar: June 2011

Wild Canopy Reserve Hotel

This Canopy Reserve Hotel, located in south

India

reminds me of the Swiss Family Robinson tree house! My 8 year old self would kill for this -- monkey butler and all. I even remember writing in my voice activated diary about how I wanted to live in a tree house of my own. Funny thing is...I still would if I could.

(pictures from busyboo)

Mirror Cube

The Treehotel is a new hotel in northern

Sweden

consisting of multiple tree houses designed by different architects. This Mirror cube allows you to enjoy nature from a bird's eye view. The refection of the forest gives you the perfect camouflage. The interior of the cube is simple and sweet -- you even have a little look-out deck on top.

(Pictures from Gizmodo)

Ice Hotel

Situated in village Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in

Sweden

, this little gem turns a quaint arctic town into a world-renowned attraction. The whole hotel is carved out of ICE! With rates as high as $800 a night, you can stay in an artist suite complete with an ice bed, hand carved ice sculptures and sparkling ice chandeliers. They even have their own ice Chapel and Absolute Ice Bar, offering a massive array of flavored vodka in glasses made of, yup you guessed it, ice. Guests sleep in thermal sleeping bag atop reindeer skin and are awaken in the morning with a cup of hot lingonberry juice by their bedside. How fun! Count me in!

(Pictures from Thisisliv)

Yunak Evleri

Yunak Evleri of Cappadocia has been dogeared in my travel file for a long time. This place is definitely on my list! Yunak Evleri has a combination of six cave houses with a total of 30 private cave rooms dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries and a 19th century Greek Mansion. I can see myself now...walking through a labyrinth of narrow passageways and lounging on the rooftop terrace with my mint tea in hand. YES PLEASE!

(Pictures from Yunak)

The Giraffe Manor

Knock Knock -- Good morning, may I come in?

Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest and is only 20 kilometers from Nairobi city centre. Built in the 1930s, this luxury boutique hotel has maintained all the charm of the era and is now famous for its resident herd of Rothschild Giraffe. Giraffe Manor offers you an unparalleled experience of the giraffes, with them vying for your attention at the breakfast table, the front door and even your bedroom window. I love it! I've always wanted to eat breakfast with a giraffe!

P.S. I've been to Kenya -- it's phenomenal (I will post on adventures from Kenya soon)!

(Pictures from Giraffe Manor)

Kakslauttanen

It’s hard enough to pronounce “Kakslauttanen” while sober—don’t even think about attempting it after a drink from their ice bar. Kakslauttanen is a Finnish resort near the North Pole, popular for its glass igloos. These cute little igloos provide a one of a kind opportunity to admire the northern lights and millions of stars. Each igloo is built from a special thermal glass so you won't freeze your toosh off. Every igloo is equipped with a bathroom and luxury beds. Kakslauttanen has a variety of log cabins, snow igloos, glass igloos and large log cabins to choose from. Too cute to boot! I want to cozy-up in that rocking chair with some hot cocoa and enjoy that stone fire place. Mmmm Heaven.

(Pictures from kakslauttanen)

Palacio de Sal

If you’re one of those people who believes you can never have too much salt, then this is the place for you. From floor to ceiling, including the walls, beds, and chairs, it’s all salt! This 16-room Salt Palace is located on

Bolivia

’s vast salt flats.

(Pictures from Tripadvisor)

Free Spirit Spheres, Vancouver Island, Canada

These Free Spirit Spheres are set among the tall trees of the west coast rainforest of Vancouver Island, Canada. The five-acre property is an old-growth forest with three pods (made of cedar, spruce, or fiberglass, respectively) suspended 10 to 15 feet in the air and accessed by staircases that wind around the trees. In addition to overnight stays, Free Spirits will also sell you your own premade sphere! Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Ewok village!

(Pictures from Freespiritsphere)

-B