Canadian ice palace melts judges’ hearts to top poll

A Canadian ice palace, an Oxford prison and a Thai boat house make up the top three quirkiest hotels in the world, according to travel website Tripadvisor.

The Ice Hotel in Quebec takes the number one spot for its ice chapel, themed suites, ice bar and ice gallery. One traveller described it as “like sleeping in a five-star igloo”.

Second place was Malmaison’s Oxford hotel, a converted prison, where guests stay in the old cells, which have been renovated to ensure a more comfortable night’s stay.

Thirty four authentic teakwood rice barges converted into land-locked luxury suites form the Imperial Boat house on Ko Samui’s beach, ranked third in the luxury-quirky stakes. The hotel also has a boat shaped pool, features cannons and has a lovely lush garden.

And the rest of the best were…
Fantasyland Hotel and Resort, Edmonton, Canada
Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel, Manaus, Brazil
Al Maha Desert Resort, Dubai, UAE
Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Arizona
Yunak Evleri, Urgup, Turkey
Quinta Real Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo, California

Different strokes for different folks >>

By Emily Manson

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week - click here to subscribe and save 25%.