Six incredible hotels

Most of us have that ‘dream holiday’, where we travel to some exotic land and experience life-changing moments that alter our perspectives on just about everything. Everyone’s dream destination differs, of course; some long for hot, tropical climates like the Caribbean or the jungle, while others dream of travelling up to the Arctic Circle to finally view that miracle of nature, The Northern Lights.

We at Custom Curtains each have our own individual ideal getaway destination, and with this in mind we have compiled a list of six hotels that completely blew us away.

The Polazzo Avino, Italy

Palazzo Avino

Call us crazy, but when a five-star hotel’s website gives you the option of being transferred from the airport via either limousine or helicopter, we think that makes it worthy of a mention, alone. Of course, if it happens to be an utterly gorgeous building in a beautiful location, that helps to tip the scale in its favour, as well.

Formerly called the Polazzo Sazzo, the Polazzo Avino is located along Italy’s incredible Amalfi coastline. It was opened as a hotel in 1997, originally being a private villa for the Italian aristocracy, built in the 12th century. The wonderfully vintage pink structure stands proudly on the cliffs of the hilltop village, Ravello (a popular destination for writers such as Truman Capote and Gore Vidal, and actors like Greta Garbo), the hotel is approximately 1,000 ft above the Mediterranean sea level.

The Avino offers its guests a luxurious room or suite, with handmade Vietri tiles, antique furnishings and brass accessories. Guests also have the privilege of letting the hotel arrange everything from cooking classes to concert tickets. The high price-tag may make some potential guests choke on their espressos, but you would have to agree, the quality of the rooms, the level of personal service, not to mention the stunning architecture and rooms, are more than worth it.

And as you can see below, it is just as breathtaking at night.

The Palazzo Avino at night

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland

Glass igloos, all in a row

One of the best places in the world for getting a clear and unpolluted view of the Northern Lights, Kakslauttanen’s Arctic Resort is a picturesque wonderland all the year round. Visitors who are hoping to catch a glimpse of the fantastic light show provided by the aurora season are advised to book a trip between the end of August and late April for the best chance of seeing the display.

Not that the Northern Lights are the only spectacular reason to pay a visit to this place. Despite the gorgeous setting, in the heart of the Finnish wilderness, the accommodation itself is an astounding sight to behold. Visitors have the choice in staying in a variety of glass igloos, snow igloos and log cabins, ranging from small to family sized. There is also a Santa’s house and a gold-diggers cabin, where guests even have their own sauna.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort during Northern Lights display

The Underwater Room, Manta Resort, Zanzibar

Manta Resort: Underwater Room

This once in a lifetime experience will cost you no less than $1,500 per night. However,  for this rather hefty fee, you certainly get a lot from a small room, situated four meters below the surface of the ocean.

Arriving at the lone double room, which is approximately 250m from the shore, via a wonderfully traditionally crafted wooden boat, you get stunning views of the incredible Manta house reef; not to mention being able to take in the spectacular blue water as you gently float along it. Food and drink is provided at your own leisure. Guests are guaranteed a mesmerizing view of various tropical fish, which swim in spectacular shoals around the windows.

Guests of the double-room wooden wonder can relax above the sea level during the day on their private landing deck, sunbathing and watching the ripples of the Indian Ocean gently lap against the hotel. They are even provided with their own security guard, anchored close to the room.

The view

Hotel Ubud Hanging Gardens, Indonesia

Hanging Gardens Hotel, Indonesia

Simply offering unimaginable views, set in stunning scenery. A pretty nice pool too, we’re sure you’ll agree.

The Hanging Garden’s swimming pool

The Icehotel, Lapland, Sweden

The Icehotel at night

The Icehotel stands in Lapland between December and April, each year. Last year’s was the 25th hotel built on the site, and this freezing cold luxury resort truly is a life-changing experience to stay in.

Everything is made from ice, and when we say everything, we mean just that – right down to the toilets. After April, the temperature warms up too much (as difficult as that is to believe), and the hotel becomes too unsafe to inhabit. Consequently, the miraculous structure is left to melt, only to be rebuilt a few months later, once the temperature has dropped again.

A bedroom in the 2012 Icehotel

Astarte Suites, Greece

Swimming pool at the Astarte Suites Hotel

From one extreme climate to another, we thought it best to end this article on a warmer note than ice hotels and igloos! For a hot topic, you can’t do much better than Greece’s Astarte Suites hotel. This ultra-refined and incredibly exclusive getaway boasts six star service and seven star hospitality; situated in one of the most secluded and picturesque islands in Santorini – a five star location.

The 13-suite hotel offers unspoiled views of the nearby cliffs, and is itself set on a clifftop edge. Guests who choose to go for a dip in the Ancient Greek-styled pool are treated to incredible sights while they swim. Even for interior suites, you are guaranteed a view both of the sea and volcano.

Much like the Polazzo Avino, guests can indulge in several activities, such as wine tasting, cultural tours or tailored excursions, which you can get to via your self or chauffeur-driven private car. To top it off, each room has its own Jacuzzi’s, King-sized beds, private balconies and LCD TV’s.

Honeymoon suite