When it comes to travel, accommodation is a crucial part of the experience. While many travellers may prioritise comfort and convenience when choosing a place to stay, some seek a more unique and memorable experience. From historic palaces to futuristic eco-resorts, these architecturally unique hotels combine the best of luxury, heritage, and design. Here are some extraordinary examples of these hotels that will undoubtedly leave you in awe.
Located inside Mumbai Central Railway station, Urban Pod is truly a minimalistic living experience with all the basic needs within arms’ reach. It’s quite literally a pod hotel with all the amenities you need, like a personal reading light, a television, a wall mirror, and AC—all in one capsule that encloses you.
You can opt for a personal locker as well for any kind of privacy and storage, and there are different kinds of lockers for women and differently-abled guests too. Inspired by futuristic pod hotel designs in Japan, Urban Pod is the first of its kind in the country. For more info, click here
Tariff: INR 7,041 per night for two adults
Considered to be the world's first Indian art hotel, Le Sutra was opened by Mumbai-based real estate developer, Bajaj Group in January 2010. This unique hotel has been designed to portray Eastern concepts of human consciousness, with each floor representing a level of spirituality. The higher the floor, the lighter the state of mind.
Le Sutra’s interior decor concepts reflect the enormous selection of stories that make up Hindu lore. The stories are depicted through wall murals, installations and art pieces that double up as furniture. For instance, the three-pronged Trishul—a symbol of creation, maintenance and destruction—is designed to function as a coat rack. For more information, click here.
Imagine waking up after a restful night of sleep on exquisite, soft bedding, to stunning views while sipping on a warm cup of coffee. With a range of amenities, these ‘hobbit holes’ or premium pods are designed to make you feel at home while you’re on vacation. Tucked away in the quaint hill station of Ooty, these 'hole in the jungle' type pods are ideal to cut off from the hustle and bustle of city life. At INR 1,500-2,000 per pod, this is the perfect way to completely submerge into nature. For more information, click here.
This is an eco-friendly resort with tree houses that are 30-45 feet above the forest. This is a perfect place for spending some quality time in the lap of nature away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is just 2.5 hours away from Mumbai and 1.5 hours away from Pune. The Machan Lonavala is known for its luxury and comfort as it offers unique treehouses, ground-based cabins, and an on-site Indian buffet restaurant. The balconies of this place offer amazing and beautiful views of valleys. For more information, click here.
Tariff: INR 14,760 - INR 40,000
In Guhantara, or "in the heart of the cave," as it would literally mean, you find yourself in the midst of an exhilarating experience. Guhantara is India's very first resort that is nested peacefully under the surface of the earth. It combines luxury with visual splendour. All the basic and luxurious amenities are provided in the rooms which are of different types, i.e. from primitive to cave suits. Rooms are decorated to look and feel like a cave at the same time equipped with modern technology. For more information, click here.
