7 Floating Hotels To Stay In

The Arctic Bath Hotel, Swedish Lapland 

Set to open this December, this stunning wellness retreat is one for adventurous spa seekers. In the summer, it’s a true floating hotel, serenely gliding on the Lule River; come winter, the structure becomes fixed in place, girdled in a ring of ice. Strikingly designed, a crown of criss-crossed logs surrounds a central open-air pool, which heated to 4°C, alternates as a sunbathing spot and, in cooler months, a traditional ice bath. Cold water wimps fear not, welcoming saunas encircle the bath – as do the hotel’s six rooms, which are kitted out with wood-burning stoves and skylights for glimpsing the ever-elusive Northern Lights. 

Visit ArcticBathHotel.se

The Manta Resort’s Underwater Room, Tanzania 

Over-water villas move over, this place is all about getting below the waves. Seemingly cast out in the Indian Ocean, just off Zanzibar’s Pemba Island, The Manta Resort’s Underwater Room takes floating stays to a new level – or rather three levels: the suite’s bobbing three-floored structure is divided into a sea-level lounging deck, a rooftop for sunbathing and stargazing, and a submerged glass-walled bedroom with wrap-round views of the marine world. Add in your own snorkelling gear and kayaks, plus the luxury of full room-service, and you’ll never want to leave.

Visit MantaResort.com

Fingal, Scotland 

Edinburgh’s most unique accommodation, this five-star hotel was once a working vessel that serviced lighthouses around Scotland’s west coast. Infused with a rich maritime heritage, a stay here is a truly memorable experience, from the sloping walls that elegantly mirror the ship’s stern and the original porthole windows to the compasses above each bed showing the direction you are sleeping in. And luxurious touches are aplenty, from the profusion of Scottish leather to the roll-top baths and spiral staircases that feature in some of the 23 cabins. Beyond the rooms, there’s a grand ballroom and a smart restaurant – plus being berthed at Leith, one of Edinburgh’s best dining scenes is on your doorstep. 

Visit Fingal.co.uk

The Float House River Kwai, Thailand 

One of the best things about floating hotels is arriving at them. And for The Float House this means a boat ride through spectacular, jungle-cloaked gorges. And when you arrive, the hotel is no disappointment. This unique, eco-focused hotel – or rather boutique “floatel”, as the resort calls itself – sits on the Khwae Noi River, its wood and thatch structure blending perfectly with its wild surroundings. Guests stay in a chain of floating villas, each with their own private deck – complete with a swing – poised over the water, while those keen to explore further afield can go rafting, canoeing or visit the nearby caves.  

Visit FloatHouseRiverKwai.com