Best Quirky Accommodation Around The World

    BOULDER, CO, December 10, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Travelers looking for an unusual experience can find it by booking a stay at some of the truly unique accommodations offered by The Travel Lab.

Tokyo capsule - Tokyo, Japan
New to The Travel Lab, staying at Tokyo's Capsule Hotel is perfect for travelers wanting to experience Tokyo as the locals do. Uniquely designed to deal with the lack of space in Japan's crowded metropolises, capsule hotels provide an unusual accommodation experience in the heart of Tokyo that won't break the budget and will be quite the talking point when you return back home. Prices start at USD $190 per night. http://www.thetravellab.com/trips/tlajc

Tree-dwelling sphere - Vancouver Island, Canada
Created to co-exist unobtrusively with its rainforest environment, these wooden spheres are suspended amongst tall trees. They conjure thoughts of elves and fairies and will bring out the tree-climbing child within. Prices start at USD $180 per sphere. http://www.thetravellab.com/trips/tlacs

Underground accommodation - Coober Pedy, Australia
Coober Pedy is an opal mining frontier town in the Australian desert. The summer desert temperatures mean that many residents prefer to live in caves bored into the hillside instead of above-ground homes. The Travel Lab's Underground Motel was the first underground motel to be built in Coober Pedy back in 1984, with all rooms being dug into a sandstone hill. The 'dug-out' rooms are sympathetic with the arid desert conditions making them the perfect place to stay whilst exploring the sites. Prices start at USD $165 for a minimum of 2 nights. http://www.thetravellab.com/trips/tlaug

Chilean stargazing domes - Elqui Valley, Chile
There are more UFO sightings from this region than anywhere else in the world, so a visit here could be a life-changing experience. One of only seven astronomic hotels worldwide and the only one in the south hemisphere, the rooms are geodesic domes each with a detachable roof over it for star-gazing as well as having a telescope on the individual terrace. Prices start at USD $190 per night. http://www.thetravellab.com/trips/tlacd

Finnish igloo - Kakslauttanen, Finland
Travelers are sure to get a good night's sleep, staying in an Igloo. The compacted snow makes it completely silent and lights inside illuminate the ice so that it glows like a golden orb. Alternatively, visitors to the Igloo Village of Kakslauttanen can stay in one of only five unique glass igloos, developed after years of research and offering a beautifully warm space and perfect view of the mesmerizing northern lights. Surrounded by the stunning scenery of Urho Kekkonen National Park along the road leading to Nordkap and the Arctic Ocean, guests can enjoy ice fishing, reindeer and husky safaris and witness the mind-blowing northern lights. Prices start at $325 per night. http://www.thetravellab.com/trips/tlafi

Converted windmill - Scarborough, UK
In the center of Scarborough, our 18th century Converted Windmill Accommodation is one of the most unique establishments in this beachside town on the Yorkshire coast. There are a variety of rooms within the Windmill itself and in the courtyard below it, over 220 years of history and warm and welcoming hospitality. This Quirky Accommodation makes for a most memorable stay. Prices start at USD $95 per person for a minimum of 2 nights. http://www.thetravellab.com/trips/tlawm

Treehouse Retreat - Northern Queensland, Australia
The cool, elevated green and brown mountains behind Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are part rainforest, part outback and 100% Australia! And what better way to fully appreciate the rugged nature of this area than by staying in one of our handcrafted pole and timber treehouses. Talk about a birds eye view! Our fully self-contained accommodation provides all the comforts of home from a perfect location for exploring the amazing Atherton Tablelands. Prices start at USD $185 per night. http://www.thetravellab.com/trips/tlawm

The Travel Lab is Intrepid Travel's research and development department and quirky accommodation is part of their mission to capture the world's most unique and unusual travel experiences! For travelers who want their over-night lodging to be more than just a bed and a place to lay their head, The Travel Lab uncovers some amazingly special and truly unique accommodation options around the globe.

For more information on The Travel Lab, unusual trips and its quirky accommodations, visit: http://www.thetravellab.com/

About Intrepid Travel

With over 19 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is one of the world's leading small group adventure tour operators. Intrepid offers over 450 itineraries in more than 100 destinations worldwide. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes.

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