These Are the World’s Most Extreme Hotel Stays — and Some Are Truly Horrifying
These Are the World’s Most Extreme Hotel Stays — and Some Are Truly Horrifying
NATURA VIVE
https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/these-are-the-worlds-most-extreme-stays
Would you dare to spend a night here?
There are hotels around the world that are known for their white-glove service and quiet luxury. You find comfort and relaxation the moment you enter. Boutique hotels also promise a unique experience to vacationers looking to slow down their pace. And then there are hotels that raise your heartbeat. These are especially designed for thrill-seekers who look for adventure in every aspect of their holiday—even rest time.
From cliffside suites and treehouse rooms to underwater rooms and underground bunkers, these hotels take extreme to the next level with their remote locations and unique designs. Bookmark them for when you want to dial danger to a 100.
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The Frying Tower
WHERE: North Carolina
A hotel on a rusting steel tower in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? Yes, please, say travelers. A video clip of a captain ferrying guests to the Frying Tower in North Carolina went viral recently, but people have been fascinated with this hotel on sticks for many years.
Built in 1964, this former lighthouse stands 278 feet above the Atlantic Ocean in the area called the Graveyard of the Atlantic because of the shipwrecks it caused. Getting here is no easy feat—you need to take a boat to get to this spot 35 miles off the coast or get a chopper to drop you off on its head. Then you spend the night in the hurricane-prone region with shark-infested waters under you in one of its eight rooms. This experience is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
PHOTO: NATURA VIVE
2 OF 9
Skylodge Adventure Suites
WHERE: Peru
How do you normally arrive at your hotel—car, bus, train? At Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru, you’ll have to climb with cables (Via Ferrata) to your bedroom hanging from the side of a mountain. Perched 1,000 feet in the Sacred Valley of Cusco, these suites dangle from granite cliffside and you need to be reasonably active to be able to get there. Once there, you get a night with glorious views of the valley and a compost toilet. Guests are advised to bring a light bag and a bottle for water, along with personal hygiene products. But fair warning: there is no shower up here. And, you don’t go down the same way you come up—you zipline instead!
PHOTO: GO BELOW UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES
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Deep Sleep
WHERE: Wales
A 19th-century slate mine in Wales opens its door to guests who want to sleep in the deepest accommodation in the world: 1,375 feet underground. Deep Sleep features four log cabins and a small cavern, but it is no easy feat to get here. The website warns: “The route down through the old workings is steep and challenging. There are ancient miners’ stairways, decaying bridges and scrambles to negotiate.” It takes about two hours of walking, ducking, scrambling, and balancing, and guests are recommended to bring bare essentials. Smoking and drinking are not allowed, but you can expect running water, wi-fi (no cell reception), and food.
PHOTO: PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MARINE RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC. DBA MARINELAB, HOME OF THE JULES’ UNDERSEA LAB
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Jules Undersea Lab
WHERE: Florida
In Florida, you can stay in an accommodation that’s completely underwater. Jules Undersea Lab was formerly a research lab off the coast of Puerto Rico, but it now allows guests to “experience what it’s like to live and sleep underwater.” But first, you need to be a certified diver because your room is a 22-foot dive away. A guided dive brings guests to the moon pool, and the living quarters are what you would expect from a space built for scientists: basic. You have single beds, wi-fi, a fridge, and a TV inside this pressurized lodge, and food—including pizza—is brought in sealed packages.
PHOTO: WHITE DESERT
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White Desert Camps
WHERE: Antarctica
The frozen continent is uninhabitable, thanks to its cold, windy, dry conditions. It’s also not a place to build hotels—most adventurers do cruise expeditions to see this otherworldly life. But if you are feeling brave, there is a tour operator, White Desert, with luxury camps on the inhospitable continent. The original camp is Whichaway, located on ice-free terrain in Antarctica, a rarity in itself. But if you want to challenge yourself and push your limits further, go for the Echo Base camp on a glacier with nothing around but icy wilderness. Both camps are heated and luxurious, but the environment is brutal. The activities here include ice climbing, glacier treks, rappelling, and cross-country skiing. You might want to spend some time in the sauna to recover from all of this.
PHOTO: MATTHEW FULKERSON
6 OF 9
Atlas F Missile Bunkers
WHERE: Kansas
One of the most unique experiences you can have in the U.S. is staying in a missile base. During the Cold War, the U.S. built silos in the country to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles. Now these are privately owned by individuals who are renting them out on Airbnb! You can stay in the launch control unit underground, with an 180-foot missile silo steps away from you. You can rent a stay on Airbnb in New Mexico or Kansas.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE MANTA RESORT
7 OF 9
Manta Resort
WHERE: Tanzania
Since 2013, Manta Resort on Pemba Island in Tanzania has offered an under-the-sea room at its hotel. It is located 820 feet away from the shore in the Indian Ocean and features an underwater bedroom. The current generation of the room has three levels: bedroom underwater, a sea-level lounge, and a rooftop deck. It is anchored above a coral reef garden, so the views are spectacular. But swimmers should take caution: in 2019, a guest in this room tragically drowned while proposing to his girlfriend. He dived underwater and pasted a message on a piece of paper on the room window, but couldn’t come up to the surface afterward.
PHOTO: TREEHOUSE LODGE
8 OF 9
Amazon Treehouse Eco-Lodge
WHERE: Peru
Another accommodation that is not easily accessible—this one’s in the Amazon rainforest. Amazon Treehouse Eco-Lodge takes you straight to the forest to live in the trees, but to get here, you need to fly to Iquitos, drive an hour to the river, and take a three-hour boat ride. It doesn’t end there; you will need to climb up to get to your door. Depending on the treehouse you booked, it could be 38 feet or 60 feet. Want to go to the main treehouse? That would take trotting on a suspended walkway.
PHOTO: FOGO ISLAND INN
9 OF 9
Fogo Island Inn
WHERE: Canada
In a remote corner of Canada, a five-star hotel is standing on stilts over the North Atlantic Ocean. Fogo Island is located off Newfoundland and can be reached by ferry or drive from Gander Airport. Once here, you will find the contemporary Fogo Island Inn with 29 suites on a rocky coastal terrain that’s far away from your idea of a standard hotel. Learn more about the fishing communities on the island, and play your part by staying at a socially conscious resort. If you’re feeling very adventurous, travel in the winter months to experience storms, ice, and snow of the North Atlantic.
Lake Tahoe Otter Attack Sends Swimmer to Hospital
Visit California/Myles McGuinness
https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/lake-tahoe-otter-attack-sends-swimmer-to-hospital
And more of today's top travel news stories.
Today in travel, we have several stories that may have flown under your radar. Among them: a tropical storm is heading toward the Gulf Coast; Thailand updates its visa rules; Germany warns that EES will cause delays (again); and a suspected otter attack sends a swimmer to the hospital.
Dive into these and more as we examine the latest in travel news.
Some or all of this article was crafted with help from AI. An editor reviewed and vetted this article before publishing.
PHOTO: JOSHUA J COTTEN/UNSPLASH
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Tropical Storm Edouard Strengthens as it Approaches the Gulf Coast
Tropical Storm Edouard was intensifying Tuesday morning as it moved toward the northwestern Gulf Coast. At 8:55 a.m. CDT on September 1, the National Hurricane Center said the storm’s maximum sustained winds had climbed to 50 mph.
At the time, Edouard was about 35 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana, and 60 miles southeast of Port Arthur, Texas. The storm was traveling west-northwest at 8 mph, with a minimum central pressure of 1000 mb.
Data collected by an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft, along with radar observations from Lake Charles, Louisiana, showed that Edouard was strengthening as it neared the coast.
2 OF 5
Thailand Updates Entry Rules for Ordinary Passport Holders Starting September 2026
Thailand has published updated visa and visa-exemption rules for ordinary passport holders that will take effect September 15, 2026. The country’s Department of Consular Affairs also clarified an occasionally confusing distinction: “Visa Free” means travelers do not need a visa, while “Free Visa” means a visa is still required but carries no visa fee.
Under the new framework, passport holders from 60 countries and territories—including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and all European Union member states—will be eligible for visa-free stays of up to 30 days. Separate bilateral agreements allow stays of up to 14 days for travelers from Cambodia and, when arriving through international airports, Myanmar; 30 days for nine countries and territories including China, Russia, and Vietnam; and 90 days for citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea.
Seychelles and Mauritius will receive a separate 15-day visa exemption. Passport holders from Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia will instead be eligible for Visa on Arrival at designated immigration checkpoints, subject to Immigration Bureau requirements and a fee of 2,000 baht.
PHOTO: PHILIP LANGE/SHUTTERSTOCK
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Non-EU Travelers Face Airport Bottlenecks as EES Exemptions Expire
Airports and airlines in Germany are warning of potentially severe delays for non-EU travelers as temporary flexibility surrounding Europe’s Entry/Exit System, or EES, comes to an end. Representatives from Frankfurt Airport, Lufthansa, Condor, and the German airport association ADV are calling for the measures, currently due to expire September 6, to be extended. Without them, they say immigration queues for travelers from third countries could grow significantly.
The EES began rolling out in October 2025 and electronically records eligible non-EU travelers entering or leaving participating European countries for short stays. The system collects passport and biometric information, including facial images and fingerprints. During periods of heavy summer traffic, authorities were allowed to temporarily suspend some EES checks to prevent excessive congestion.
Frankfurt Airport has already recorded waits of up to 90 minutes during busy periods, and officials say connecting passengers regularly risk missing onward flights. Lufthansa executive Michael Niggemann and Condor CEO Peter Gerber have also criticized the limited availability of the EU’s Travel to Europe mobile app, which allows some travelers to submit information before reaching the border. The app is currently available for entry into Sweden and Portugal, while Germany expects broader technical integration in 2027 after testing at a German airport later this year.
PHOTO: BEAR PRODUCTIONS/SHUTTERSTOCK
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CDC Requires 21-Day Waiting Period for Travelers Who Have Been in the DRC
Travelers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face strict limits on returning to the United States. According to updated CDC guidance, anyone—including U.S. citizens and nationals—who has been in the DRC within 21 days of departure cannot board a commercial flight bound for the United States until 21 days have passed since leaving the country. The rule also applies to travelers whose itinerary merely included a stop at a DRC airport, even if they never left the aircraft.
Different requirements apply to U.S. citizens and nationals returning from Uganda or South Sudan, provided they have not also been in the DRC. Their travel is not prohibited, but flights must be routed through one of three designated airports: Washington Dulles, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, or John F. Kennedy International. Travelers are screened on arrival, including a questionnaire, temperature check, and observation for signs of illness, and are enrolled in automated CDC text messages reminding them to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving the affected country.
Separate federal entry restrictions remain in place for certain other travelers who have recently been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan, including U.S. lawful permanent residents, although the order contains exceptions. The current order was renewed August 12 for another 30 days. Travelers who are permitted to enter after recent travel in Uganda or South Sudan are also routed through designated airports for screening.
The CDC recommends that people undergoing the 21-day monitoring period after arriving in the United States remain in the country and avoid international trips and cruise travel during that period.
PHOTO: NKNEIDLPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK
5 OF 5
Lake Tahoe Swimmer Receives 38 Stitches After Suspected River Otter Attack
Visitors to Lake Tahoe are being reminded to keep their distance from wildlife after a swimmer reported being attacked by what she identified as a river otter along the lake’s East Shore. Lynnette Bellin, a certified swimming instructor, required 38 stitches following the Sunday encounter.
Bellin said the animal pulled her underwater and repeatedly bit and clawed at her during an encounter that lasted roughly five minutes. She eventually managed to climb onto a rock before walking about three-quarters of a mile toward Hidden Beach, where people she encountered contacted authorities. Her injuries included wounds to her face, arms, legs, and foot; she said her foot alone required 22 stitches.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife said river otters are native to the Lake Tahoe region and that attacks on people are uncommon, although the animals can become aggressive when threatened, cornered, or protecting their young. Bellin believes the animal may have been defending offspring as she swam close to shore. Wildlife officials and Nevada State Parks are posting signs near the reported attack site reminding visitors to remain aware of their surroundings and give wild animals plenty of space.
Hotel, air demand tied to events doesn’t stop at World Cup
https://hotelsmag.com/news/hotel-air-demand-tied-to-events-doesnt-stop-at-world-cup/?
by David Eisen
Football fans the world over have four more years to wait until the next World Cup, which will be jointly hosted across Morocco, Portugal and Spain. And like a rolling soccer ball, the hotel industry doesn’t stop.
The 2026 edition was a hit on the field and mostly the same for hotels, according to data, which points to overall softer occupancy during match weeks, but a result of higher rates. The upshot: RevPAR increases across all host cities.
European hoteliers are gearing up for 2030; in the meantime, a slew of events are poised to impact hotel demand, according to new data from Amadeus.
Consider Madrid, which this month hosts both a Formula 1 event, September 11-13, and Shakira’s 12-date residency, September 18 through October 11. Both events are poised to pump up air bookings and increase hotel stays: Amadeus estimates a 28% year-on-year increase in domestic air bookings and a 4% increase in international air bookings.
The same air data shows that short stays are up a predicted 10% year on year, with stays of five days and under now making up 37% of bookings; suggesting opportunities for hotels to offer perks and incentives to encourage longer stays.
As the only Spanish city on Shakira’s tour, Madrid is attracting fans from across the country. Domestic bookings within Spain to the capital for 18th of September to 4th of October, covering the first nine nights of the residency, are up a predicted 35% year on year while international bookings are up by 5%. Barcelona leads domestic inbound bookings to Madrid with growth of 128%, now making up a total of 12% of domestic bookings.
Madrid is poised for September and October travel sizzle.
The Spanish Grand Prix is also contributing to increased air travel during the month of September. From the 9th to 13th September when the race is on, top inbound markets which have seen the biggest growth in bookings to Madrid from 2025 are the United Kingdom, up 46% year on year, South Korea, up 45%, France, up 32%, and Uruguay, up 31%.
“Madrid is set for an exciting September, with major events such as the Spanish Grand Prix and Shakira’s world tour expected to be driving additional travel demand. For hoteliers, these moments are an opportunity to think beyond simply filling rooms, from tailoring packages around event dates and extending stays, to anticipating when fans will book and what they’ll want from their stay. The hotels and destinations that tune into these patterns using data could turn the busy event calendar into a real commercial opportunity,” said Javier Campo, head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, hospitality, Amadeus.
International arrivals are helping. Japan leads the way with bookings to Madrid up a predicted 80% year on year, followed by Canada with 30% growth and the Netherlands and Mexico at +25%.
In terms of hotel data, Amadeus’ Demand360 shows hotel occupancy standing at 48% for the week of the 6th of September to the week of the 27th of September. ADR has increased by 25% compared with the same period last year to $413. The week of the 13th, when both events overlap, shows the highest occupancy at 52% with an ADR of $411.
The data also show that many families and groups are traveling during these dates. Booking forecasts for groups of six or more are up 30%, making up 7% of all bookings for the window.
The air data reveals that medium-length stays of six to 13 nights are making up an estimated 39% of bookings around the race week. With a notable number of travelers headed from the Americas, a significant share of visitors appears to be building the Grand Prix into a longer trip, though shorter stays still make up a notable 34% of bookings.
Amadeus points out that the opportunity for hoteliers exists to tailor digital campaigns, packages, and distribution partnerships to international markets showing high demand, while DMOs can build on momentum with targeted content that encourages visitors to explore more of the city and stay beyond the race.
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