5 luxury floating hotels to experience once in your life

The grand, majestic hotels in the world sure are endless, but some take it further than others. These beautiful, high-end ‘floating’ hotels are designed to enhance your visual, tactile, and sensual experience by placing their structures upon water, whether that’s an inner-city river, amidst the jungles, or on the deep blue ocean. Here are 5 iconic floating hotels that you must visit in your life – get a pen ready to place it on your bucket list! 

photo credit: the manta resort

 ARCTIC BATH , sweden

 arctic bath is a hotel resort located in swedish lapland, europe’s wild northern frontier, that combines scandinavian minimalism with the extraordinary natural environment that will envelop your senses. cabins and suites are designed with wellness in mind, using sustainable materials like wood and stone to create a calming atmosphere. each room offers the best modern comfort, with air-conditioning and heating, minibar, spa and wi-fi access with glass windows for you to admire the stunning icy landscape – and the midnight sun in summer that’s unique to the area. 

between august and march, the skies are lit up by the spectacular patterns of the aurora borealis – the northern lights. the spa at arctic bath includes an open-air cold bath and various wellness treatment options that will replenish both your soul and your body, and the food by head chef david staf at the hotel restaurant focuses around the culinary culture of northern sweden, with selected local ingredients made using family recipes. activities include husky sled tours, ice fishing, and snowmobile trips to see the northern lights. 

lilypad, sydney

lilipad is a recently opened opulent villa floating off the coast of sydney’s affluent palm beach suburb. The building combines innovation, creativity and craftsmanship to bring you luxury and style, all while embracing the surrounding environment and sustainability. the name lilipad reflects it’s lowkey nature and emphasizes the connection the structure has with the tranquil waters of palm beach. relax and unwind with the feeling of being on an island away from the bustling city – lilipad is envisioned to take you away from the noise and let you drift to the rhythm of the ocean. overnight stays are designed for two people, so perfect for a romantic getaway. a special day spa package includes facials, massages, spa treatments and more, and you get to recharge while lying in the sun and enjoying veuve clicquot’s signature ‘yellow label’ champagne, the perfect balance of aromatic intensity and silkiness. 

the manta resort

pemba island, off the east coast of africa, is a secluded, remote area for you to recharge in a serene environment, surrounded by the azure ocean away from the noisy, pressure-filled digital world. the island features untouched landscapes of mangroves, hidden beaches and lagoons, where you can soak up the views and also interact with local villagers who will be eager to share their love of the island and its many wonders with you. room options include seafront villas, rooms with a private garden, and even an underwater room where you can sleep, rest and shower literally surrounded by the sea-life. the restaurant overlooking the ocean serves refreshing fruit platters and dishes made with local produce and seafood along with tanzanian coffee. other highlights include the various massage options at the spa, and sea diving and snorkelling activities on offer. 

off paris seine, france

the next hotel on our list takes us away from nature and into an inner-city getaway in the city of love. located on the river seine in paris, just off austerlitz station, is OFF – a four-star floating hotel and restaurant with rooms that offer views of the left or right bank and is positioned to elevate your city holiday to a new level. enjoy drinks and live music while the city comes alive around you at night, and go for a seine river cruise during the day before dining at the high-end restaurant with a menu designed by chef christ bikouedi. Rooms include all modern amenities you need to enjoy your stay, and the wonders of all of paris are a walk or metro trip away for you to explore during the trip. 

RIVER KWAI JUNGLE RAFTS , thailand

enjoy your vacation staying in bamboo lodges that float on the famous river kwai noi, surrounded by the lush jungles of western thailand – what could be better? the floating raft, room décor and furniture are designed according to the tradition culture of the ethnic mon people, who live in the surrounding area as well as in several regions of myanmar. The resort is also eco-friendly and operates according to their unique ecology conservation concept, meaning that the entire raft hotel does not use electricity but instead traditional kerosene lamps to light the way after nightfall. 

the raft includes restaurants serving both thai and western cuisine, a ‘jungle bar’, relaxing areas for sunbathing or thai massage, and a dance theatre show with live orchestra performed by mon villagers that can only be experienced in this part of thailand. You can choose between various water activities on-site, including canoeing, bamboo rafting and sightseeing by boat. the surrounding area of kanchanaburi province is also filled with natural wonders like the erawan waterfall national park, with waterfalls shaped like a divine three-headed elephant, and the lawa cave with haunting rock structures. for history lovers, there are many museums, memorials and education centres dedicated to the POWs and civilian victims who were used as slave labour by the imperial japanese army to build the thailand-burma railway during world war two. 

dreamKevin Dingdream, hotels, staysComment