Would you like to really surprise that special someone? Then think outside the box. Sitting in complete harmony with nature and offering peace and quiet but with all mod cons, this incredible selection of hotels awaits. Dreamed up by talented architects, these unique designs are sure to amaze – and are a must at least once in your lifetime!
Sweden, Harads: A Futuristic Cube, A Flying saucer, A Bird Box...
Just south of the Arctic Circle, in Swedish Lapland, Harads is a tiny village in the Boden Municipality. In 2020, it had a population of just 472, so let's just say, chances are you won't be disturbed. The young couple at the helm of the Treehotel teamed up with a host of top Scandinavian architects (including the trendy Bjarke Ingels Group) to come up with no fewer than eight lofty concepts. Live out your childhood dream in the vertiginous Cabin (with its spacious wooden terrace), the dizzying Mirrorcube, the whimsical UFO or the ecological Biosphere! Ensconced in your nest-like retreat, set into the hillside overlooking the Luleå River valley, the view will take your breath away.
Italy, Lombardy: Vineyard Views with a Sunroof for Stargazing!
Just an hour's drive northeast of Milan, take a breather and embrace La Dolce Vita! L'Albereta is a 19th-century villa deep in the Lombardy countryside between Lake Iseo and the Po Valley. It boasts a magnificent view over centuries-old vineyards that produce some of the finest sparkling wines in Italy, but another key to the appeal of this unique accommodation is its fantastic spa: the Espace Chenot Health Wellness Spa, named after Henri Chenot, who was the founder of biontology and also qualified in naturopathy and Chinese medicine. Not a classic spa, then, with optional massages and mud baths, but rather a wellbeing experience on the fringes of physics and chemistry. And best of all, one of the uniquely styled guestrooms, the Cabriolet Suite, has a giant sunroof. Just like in a James Bond film, all you have to do is press a button and you can see the sky above you!
Portugal, The Algarve: Sleep in a Tree 6.5m Above the Ground
The combination of designer-hotel appeal and family-inn friendliness makes this a rare find, but that's Portugal's Conversas de Alpendre in a nutshell. Set in the countryside of the Algarve, the property lies a couple of kilometres inland from the Atlantic and a 3hr drive from Lisbon. Special mention must go to the 'Tree House', a suite constructed 6.5m above the ground. With the ocean as a backdrop and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, two private terraces and a king-size shower with chromotherapy, this cabin – hand-built entirely out of wood – unites all the amenities of a home with luxurious finishes. You'll have photo opps aplenty.
France, Paris: The Secret Apartment of the Tour d'Argent
This is undoubtedly Parisian foodies' best-kept secret. Hidden away on the fifth floor of the legendary restaurant, which opened in 1582 on the banks of the Seine, the Apartment is an independent 150m2 space designed for two people. Accessible from Tour d'Argent or via a private entrance on rue du Cardinal Lemoine, its quintessentially Parisian décor (mouldings and herringbone floorboards) instantly immerses you in the history of the Terrail family. Indeed, Augusta Burdel, wife of André Terrail and grandfather of the current owner, once lived on this floor. A dedicated hostess is on hand throughout your stay, and the large table means that guests can convene and savour a made-to-measure menu devised by Chef Yannick Franques, paired with exceptional wines. Last but not least, there's a sauna with a jaw-dropping view of the City of Light. This is an ultra-exclusive experience!
Information and Reservations: contact@tourdargent.com / +33 1 43 54 10 08
France, Val d'Isère: Spend the Night in a Converted Cable Car Station
Le Refuge de Solaise is nestled within a former cable car station overlooking Val d'Isère. Accessible only by gondola, this charming hotel has a range of accommodation options, from luxurious suites to dormitory-style bunk beds. Its special feature is the Helpmie Spa – at an altitude of 2,551m, it's not only one of the best spas in France, it's also the highest in the Alps. It includes a 25m swimming pool, two steam rooms, four treatment areas, a beauty salon and two jacuzzis with views of the snow-capped peaks. Outside, there's a sauna, a hot tub and a polar bath – all with a sensational view of the valley below! Channel your inner Snow Queen.
France, The Loire Valley: Treetop Lodges with Private Jacuzzis
There's no disputing that the Loire is magnificent, but how about a change from the age-old 'château-vineyard' model? The Loire Valley Lodges have taken up residence in a location surrounded by nature, which it both provides respect for and draws inspiration from. You'll be accommodated in one of its 18 cabin-style lodges, which stand on stilts among the oaks, chestnuts and pines that make up the 300 hectare forest. You can completely unwind in this haven of calm with a Nordic feel, which is half-dissimulated by the foliage – there's no wi-fi or TV here, but you will find top-drawer comforts, including a private jacuzzi on every terrace!
France, Nord-Pas-de-Calais: Be a Hobbit at La Grenouillère
A 20-minute drive from Le Touquet, Chef Alexandre Gauthier's La Grenouillère blends seamlessly into the landscape. This Picardy farmhouse has been transformed into a Two-Star restaurant and is also home to some fascinating timber huts. These eco-friendly lodgings offering all the mod cons are surrounded by nature and each has its own private terrace. They also feature fireplaces and sunken baths, wi-fi, smart TVs, Bluetooth docks… and champagne is delivered on request! Other little extras include refreshments, coffee, teas, homemade clafoutis, and the option of having breakfast brought to you in your hut (€30/person, from 8-10.30am).This establishment had to close temporarily due to flooding; the huts are scheduled to reopen in the spring.
France, Brittany: Get Away from it All at Roellinger's Kleds
Ferme du Vent is laid out by the shore, a 10-minute drive from Cancale. A far cry from ostentatious luxury, Chef Roellinger opted for a wood and rough stone design for these six kleds (Breton for 'wind shelter'), where you can live in harmony with the elements. You'll find a fireplace, a wood-burning stove, floor-to-ceiling windows – and let's not forget the bathtubs, in which you can soak as you look out to sea. "Anything that may interrupt our inner flow is swept away. There is no wi-fi or television. Turn off your mobile phone and enjoy a place that heightens the senses", promises the website. Their Bains Celtiques spa, accommodated in the complex's main farmhouse, rounds out an idyllic experience. Of course, Hugo Roellinger's Two-Star restaurant Le Coquillage is not far away. Choose your set menu the day before or in the morning, and it will be delivered to your private kitchen at the allotted time that evening!
France, Saint Paul de Vence: Cabins Above a Rose Garden
It's not easy to choose between the charming minimalist Orion Treehouses. This boutique hotel, in a peaceful wooded setting just outside the medieval village of Saint Paul de Vence, has four treehouses built over a splendid rose garden and ecological swimming pool. Each of these deluxe, light-filled spaces designed in natural wood has a private bathroom and a large terrace framed by oak branches. Quite literally, la vie en rose.
France, Corrèze: A Tropical Sauna and Treetop Room Service!
They don't come much more private than this one-bedroom guesthouse. At Cyprès Si Haut, you can enjoy the pleasures of a cabin hidden four-metres above ground among the branches of pines and larches. What sets it apart are the jacuzzi on the balcony, the tropical sauna set in the vegetatio and the extremely handy room service, which is operated by an ingenious pulley system, meaning you can cosy up in peace, without ever having to come down from your perch.
France, Burgundy: A Guestroom with a Retractable Wall
Not far from Beaune, on the famous Burgundy wine route, Domaine de Rymska is an 80-hectare agricultural estate boasting an excellent restaurant with Chef Jérémie Muller at the helm. The property also has a superb luxury hotel with 14 guestrooms. The one we're homing in on here is the aptly named 'Chambre Nature': a circular, glass-fronted guestroom standing flush with the pond and featuring an ingenious sliding glass wall. "At the touch of a button", we are promised, "just like at the theatre, the curtains open to reveal the ever-changing spectacle of nature". To help you log off completely, there's no wi-fi, TV or phone, but do you even really need them?
