Have you ever looked at your pets and wondered what they were thinking, feeling or even what it would be like to trade your life with theirs? Surely the idea of spending your days chasing birds, sleeping all day, and waiting for belly rubs has appealed to you more than once?
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If so, you’re not alone. In fact, there are several hotels that cater to those curious about the animal mindset or who just want to be surrounded by their furry, feathered or finned friends.
You’re not actually expected to chase your tail, bark, meow or climb a tree, but if you wanted to we’re sure no one at these hotels would bat an eyelid.
#1: La Villa Hamster (Nantes, France)
La Villa Hamster (Nantes, France)
As the name suggests, it’s a home for hamsters and, in this case, you get to be the hamster! La Villa Hamster offers guests the opportunity to live like a rodent.
Upon arrival, the rental home provides hamster masks for the duration of stay. Inside the room, guests will find containers of organic grain, a water spigot you can actually sip from, a double bed accessible by ladder and crawl space, a bathroom with a giant vat of woodchips, a giant troth for a sink and, of course, a two-metre wide hamster wheel – large enough for two people to use at the same time (you know, in case you feel like going for a romantic run).
Frédéric Tabary, the interior designer for La Villa Hamster explained his idea by saying he “wanted people to chill out and smile in a society which is nowadays completely paralysed and formatted”.
#2: Atlantis (The Palm, Dubai)
Atlantis (The Palm, Dubai)
The term “sleeping with the fishes” brings to mind mobsters throwing their concrete-shoed enemies into the dark depths of the sea, but the Atlantis makes it possible in a much friendlier way with two underwater suites, ‘Poseidon’ and ‘Neptune’.
Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can enjoy a view to the lagoon which the hotel’s website boasts has “dramatic ancient ruins of the mythical lost city and 65,000 marine inhabitants.” Living up to its name as the city under the sea, the Atlantis also has its own waterpark, dolphin habitat and an aquarium full of sharks, eels, seahorses, stingrays, piranhas and more.
#3: Desert Cave Hotel (Coober Pedy, South Australia)
Desert Cave Hotel in Coober Pedy, South Australia
Whether you feel the need to hide from predators or are just looking for somewhere out of the elements, burrow your way underground and discover why moles, snakes and rabbits (just to name a few), call their underground dwellings home. The Desert Cave Hotel has quiet, cool, dark and airy underground rooms and also features underground shops, a bar and opal display areas.
This hotel isn’t built underground for novelty purposes — many of the residents in Coober Pedy have built their own underground homes to escape the Outback’s harsh heat. This might make it difficult to ask your neighbour for a cup of sugar – but when did moles, snakes or rabbits need sugar anyway?
#4: Treehotel (Harads, Sweden)
The Bird's Nest Room at Treehotel, Sweden
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be as free as a bird, the Treehotel could be what you’re looking for.
Featuring rooms high amongst the treetops, ”˜The Bird’s Nest’ room lives up to its name and has an exterior covered in twigs to make it look like the real thing. You’ll feel completely camouflaged within this cozy abode which comfortably sleeps a family with two children.
Spread your wings and become one with nature – just remember that there is a retractable staircase and it’ll be the safest way to get to and from your room and to the ground below.
#5: Dog Bark Park Inn (Idaho, United States)
Dog Bark Park Inn (Idaho, United States)
Man’s best friend: loyal, loving and a great companion. Take your love of dogs to the next level by spending a night in the world’s biggest beagle (known as ”˜Sweet Willy’ by local residents) at the Dog Bark Park Inn.
This bed and breakfast allows guests to enter the body of Sweet Willy through a private second story deck and features rooms with decorative dog furnishings. A roomy loft can be found within Sweet Willy’s head, allowing for a total of four guests. You can even bring your own pets along to meet not only Sweet Willy, but also his buddy Toby, a neighbouring 12-foot tall beagle statue.
When you get home and tell friends about your getaway, they’ll think you’ve gone barking mad but as they say, “at Dog Bark Park Inn, sleeping in the doghouse is a good thing!”