The world’s first sand castle hotel has recently opened at weymouth beach in the seaside town of dorset in the UK. the hotel was constructed from approximately 1000 tonnes of sand, built over 15sqm reaching a height of 4m. british sculptor mark anderson was commissioned by laterooms.com to create the hotel.

The new hotel chain aims to offer a unique alternative for travelers who want a change from the traditional cookie-cutter mid-priced hotel experience. NYLO plans to have 50 hotels across North America by 2010. NYLO’s second hotel, in Warwick, Rhode Island, makes its debut in late summer, 2008. Others are slated to open in 2009 in the following markets: Irving, Texas; Denver/Boulder, Colorado; and Kansas City, Missouri.

The 176-room Plano property brings a new face to business travel, appealing to guests of all ages who appreciate bold design, new technology and engaging amenities, such as lively gathering places outside the guestrooms.

Offering travelers an urban, exciting and fun lifestyle experience on the road, NYLO Plano will feature the brand’s hallmark urban loft design. Guests will find soaring ceilings, custom-designed furnishings and high-tech amenities throughout the hotel. Along with the full spectrum of business amenities, they will enjoy The Loft, a dynamic gathering spot next to the lobby with stylish bar and restaurant offering a full menu — from snacks to gourmet dinners — round-the-clock.

A great rustic-modern aesthetic hotel designed by Heinz Legler in Mexico with amazing views to the ocean.

There are many ways to build employee quarters, temporary housing for those who decide to come work for a season at Verana. An experiment which turned out to be exciting to design, to build and after all to live in. . This rustic-modern aesthetic hotel was designed by Heinz Legler, who used to own a film set construction company and Veronique Lievre, previously a set decorator, from Paris. They started this project as their personal hideaway, but it ended up construction an hotel in a 5 acre area, with infinity pool, spa, restaurants, yoga hut and 8 guest rooms.

The Semiramis is an intimate 52 room hotel in the suburb of Kifissia, in the heart of Athens. The hotel has been designed with positive energy, heightened experiences, culture, art, and design as it’s main focus. Set 340 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by restaurants, cafes and boutiques. Sounds like heaven.

Semiramis, Karim Rashid’s first hotel project, is a fusion of Rashid’s influence and owner Dakis Joannou’s vision and own dedication to the modern art world. Mr. Joannou, an eminent collector, patron of modern art and qualified architect, commissioned Karim Rashid to create a hotel that will offer more than extra bed space in Athens.

When you tire of the endless sandy beaches and azure waters of warm climes, but you are not quite ready for space travel, head to Lapland for a dramatic, mystical getaway. The snow igloos that pop up each winter to complement the 20 spectacular glass igloos and 31 luxury log cabins at Kakslauttanen resort in Saariselkä, Finland, are definitely cool in all meanings of the word.

Far away from city lights, this is an excellent place for viewing the aurora borealis from September to April.

Hotel Kakslauttanen consists of 25 log cabins, a restaurant with souvenir shopping facilities and two saunas.

Close to the resort is the Igloo Village that offers the unusual highlight of accommodation in genuine igloos made of snow.

The Classical Baby Grand is situated in the heart of downtown Athens, so it’s a cultural haven for tourists who want to explore the city. The pulse of the city is felt from the moment guests step outside the hotel doors, as it faces Kotzia Square right next to City Hall.

Wander through the lobby as you make your way out for a night on the town, and you’ll see a garden-inspired lobby designed by Socratis Socratous. You won’t find the reception there though; you’ll have to go upstairs where two Mini Cooper convertibles (yes, cars) are used as check-in desks.

Moscow has one of the world’s most exuberant markets; travelers who want to enjoy the luxury component of the Russian capital, yet still looking for something personal, will love the Golden Apple Boutique Hotel.

Icehotel is an hotel built out of snow and ice, situated 200km north of the Arctic circle, in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, near the Torne river. Jukkasjärvi is an old Lapp word meaning ‘meeting place’ and has been exactly that, as well as a market place, for more than half a millennium. If you are planning on visiting it (and it is well worth a visit) make sure you do so in the winter, some time between December-April.

Like the Alta Igloo Hotel it is erected at the beginning of every winter and allowed to melt away in the spring, returning the building and furnnishings back to the river, out of which it was carved.

This astronomy-themed hotel is comprised of large dome-tents (with loft beds!) set on platforms, located high up in the Andes, which are renowned for clear views of the night skies. The domes were designed by Nicolás Fones of the Chilean architectural firm Ftres Arquitectos for Eco Domos, which supplies domes for the deluxe camping and residential markets in South America.

While most people wouldn’t dream of actually moving up north to live in an igloo, there is something so captivating about living inside ice and snow sculpted architecture.

The Alta Igloo Hotel near Oslo, Norway features bedrooms, a living room area, an ice bar and ice gallery with intricate frozen sculptures.

It is situated along the Alta river, in the middle of a white wonderland. The hotel’s 20 rooms offer 50 beds made of reindeer fur and warm sleeping bags to keep guests comfortable in the hotel’s constant inside temperatures between -4 and -7 degrees Celsius.