Awesome Hotels

The Smithsonian Channel takes us near Shanghai, China, where what was once a rock quarry has been transformed into an extravagant luxury resort. Architect Martin Jochman of JADE+QA designed the structure that appears to be just two stories when approaching from the top, but is actually a 16-story tower that blends into the rocks.

This 5000-passenger nuclear-powered flying cruise ship would have numerous observation decks and a massive entertainment area with a shopping mall, theaters, restaurants, and swimming pools. Concept artist Tony Holmsten came up with the idea, while Hashem Al-Ghaili animated and expanded on the design.

After COVID locked us up in our personal escape rooms, we’re longing for a real escape like the overnight game at Hilton Orlando where groups complete missions around the sprawling resort to discover a secret. Called the world’s largest/tallest escape “room”, it requires a smart device for clues and (spoiler) a swimsuit.

Sparkling above the Sunset Strip’s hottest dance floor is a disco ball art installation by the Ian Schrager Company for the underground club Sunset at Edition, at the West Hollywood Edition hotel. The collection of more than 400 varying-sized mirrored balls was made by America’s last disco ball maker, Yolanda Baker.

Like the idea of camping except for all the getting back to nature stuff? Chicago’s luxe landmark The Gwen offers the city’s first urban glamping experience. With bird’s-eye views of Michigan Avenue, the 16th-floor private terrace of the Gwen Lux Suite has a boho Lotus Belle tent with a comfy queen-sized bed.

Need to nurse a broken/lonely heart? Scottsdale, Arizona’s retro-cool Hotel Valley Ho’s Bye Babe, Break Up Package includes a bottle of prosecco, heart glasses, an hour Lomi Lomi Massage at VH Spa, a self-care workbook, a Kodak Printomatic camera, and a smashable chocolate heart filled with candy to help your healing begin.

The Anthénea offers the ultimate getaway. The solar-powered pod floats on water, offering 360º views both above and below the surface. Its interior is decked out with luxurious fixtures and finishes, along with smart home technology. While it’s meant mostly as a hotel room, you can buy one for yourself if money is no object.

An investment fund in Saudi Arabia is working on one of the craziest ideas for an amusement park ever. They plan on building a giant theme park and resort on an oil rig platform in the Arabian Gulf. Once complete, The Rig is expected to have three hotels, 11 restaurants, and a variety of thrill rides, live shows, and water sports.

Getaway offers tiny cabins for escaping the hustle and bustle. Locations scattered around the U.S. within driving distance of big cities. Each one provides intimate spaces with views of nature, comfy bedding, a private bath with a hot shower and toilet, heat and A/C, a kitchenette, and outdoor space with a fire pit.

The Bobby Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee created a truly special centerpiece for their rooftop pool area. The hotel teamed up with the Hemphill Brothers Coach Company to turn an old Greyhound bus into a lounge. The bus features custom hydraulic doors by Schweiss Doors to protect its interior from the elements.

Get away from it all in this Corrales, New Mexico 1-bedroom / 1.5-bath cottage that’s perfect for pet owners. Hosted by Marina & Mark, this AirBNB property is set on a 2.5-acre lot, with trails, and nearby access to village shops, markets, and more. The hosts offer free pet and babysitting, and 100% of rental fees go to An Act of Dog.

Atari is mounting a comeback, first with a new console, and now with a chain of video game-themed hotels. The hotels will feature retro and modern games, Atari merch, and much more. Phoenix location breaks ground in 2020, and future locations will include as Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, and San Jose.

While some hotels are moving to larger, bottled bath products to reduce waste, there are still many who provide individually packaged soaps and toiletries. Tech Insider introduces us to Clean the World, a socially-responsible enterprise that takes these items, sanitizes, recycles, and donates them to populations in need.

Walt Disney World’s most immersive experience yet will be a new hotel being built next to Galaxy’s Edge. The Galactic Starcruiser will make multi-day guests feel like they’re inside a spaceship – the Halcyon – via galactic views, hotel staff portrayed by characters like Chewbacca, and a port day on the planet Batuu.

If you ever find yourself passing through Stockholm, Sweden, consider spending a night at Jumbostay. Parked adjacent to Arlanda Airport, the retired Boeing 747 jumbo jet has been converted into a hotel, with rooms in its passenger cabin, cockpit, and engine nacelles.

Searching for cool stuff has us on the road and away from home all the time. Our friends at TownePlace Suites by Marriott make us feel like we’re at home, even when we’re on the other side of the country, thanks to their cozy and cheerful long-term accommodations.

By using prefab modules, a Chinese construction company completed a 57-story skyscraper in just 19 days, sometimes at a rate of three floors per day. Their reduced use of concrete means it’s more eco-friendly as well. Time-lapse at 1:53.

Designed by Chinese architecture collective, Penda, this temporary dwelling, constructed from bamboo and rope modules, is designed to allow visitors to sleep in the midst of nature without any impact to its surroundings.

whil encourages us to take time out from our busy lives to meditate and reboot in just 60 seconds. Along with the limited edition whil dot, whil is giving away a $500 gift card to Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

whil encourages us to take time out from our busy lives to meditate and reboot in just 60 seconds. Along with the limited edition whil dot, whil is giving away a $500 gift card to Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

It may look like a trunk, but it contains an entire hotel room. Just pop it open, erect the metal structure, hang the soundproof curtains, and unfold the bed and workspace. A concept by Antonio Scarponi and Robert de Luca.

This small British Columbia resort brings new meaning to “roughing it” – with guest tents decked out with luxurious bedding, full bathroom with heated floor and wood stoves. Lounge tents too.

A portable hotel system, built from shipping containers to provide 40 to 400 rooms and only takes three days to set up. Rooms outfitted with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and Wi-fi.