Original Hotels

The Marina All Suites Hotel is a boutique hotel located in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. This hotel is located directly on the beach, and its bar is a meeting place for celebrities from all over the world.

Concept.

The hotel was designed by a group of architects. The whole building was reconstructed and redesigned into 38 spacious suites with a different design each filled with many works of art.

All the suites have a master bedroom with a large double bed, a bathroom and a small kitchenette. Price starts from around 292€ per night.

The Luxe Suites are the smallest suites at the hotel and have side views towards the sea. These suites can have either two individual beds or a double bed, and have a bathroom, a living room with a sofa and a small dining area with a buffet.

The Super Luxe Suites have partial views of the sea. The suites have a large double bedroom with a bathroom, a separate living area and a dining room with a buffet and a kitchen.

The Master Suites have views towards the sea. All of these suites have a large bed, a spacious bathroom, a living room with a sofa and a dining room with an American kitchen.

Each one of the three types of suites exists in a Club Level format, which means guests will be able to choose between Luxe, Super Luxe and Master suites with an extra attention to detail. Such details include a larger working area, a kingsize bed, a minibar and Egyptian cotton bedlinen. Club Floor suites have iPod docks and LCD television sets, with a price of 400€ per night.

The nine designer suites were designed by several local architects. Each one of these suites has a bedroom with a kingsize bed, a living and dining room, a bathroom and all kinds of art works and ornaments decorating the walls. Price is from 500€ per night.

The Âmber Suite, designed by André Piva, has cherry wood furniture, a glass table and a living room with walls decorated in tribal sculptures. The marble bathroom is spacious and has a large hydromassage bathtub.

The Esmeralda Suite, another one of Piva’s designs, is located on the top floor of the hotel. This suite has a large marble bathroom with a Jacuzzi, two pressure showers and a closet. There is a spacious living room with plenty of natural light that leads to the bedroom, the lounge, the work space and the dining room.

Jairo de Sender’s Ônix Suite has lateral views towards the sea. The suite is decorated in sombre shades and dark wooden furniture. There is a large double bedroom and a living room with an American kitchen. The floors are all wooden, and the bathroom is made of marble.

The Opala Suite, designed by Beth Lucena, is a white suite. The double bedroom has white ornaments, with a white marble bathroom and a living area with a white buffet and a white television set.

The Rubi Suite, designed by Tarcila Piva, is a spacious open plan suite. The ergonomic furniture is painted in greens and purples. The bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a thick curtain, and the living room is integrated with the working and dining areas.

The Turmalina Suite, another of Tarcila Piva’s creations, is decorated in beiges and greens. The suite has a retro style. The living room is covered by Persian carpets and has a large glass table, and the marble bathroom has a hydromassage bathtub.

The Topaz Suite , by Joy Garrido, is a suite decorated in mellow yellow shades. The suite has views towards Leblon Beach. The Carrara marble bathroom has two sinks and a jacuzzi, and the bathroom has a kingsize bed with views towards the sea. The dining and working spaces are located to wither side of the living room.

The Diamante Suite was designed by Pedro Paranaguá. This spacious suite has a red and white bedroom next to a bathroom with a shower, and a large living room with marble floors and a dining hall with an American kitchen.

Another Piva suite is the Cristal Design suite, the hotel’s largest suite. The bathroom has large windows with views towards the sea opening from the Jacuzzi. The living room has leather furniture. The master bedroom has a large kingsize bed and many artworks, and the extra bedroom has two individual beds.

Restaurant.

The hotel has a very well known restaurant, the Bar D’Hotel, a bistro specialising in Brazilian cuisine with a touch of international gourmet dishes. Many celebrities from all over the world come to this retro chic place.

In the balcony of the hotel guests will find the Bar do Lado bar, conveniently known as the next door bar. Guests and visitors will be able to enjoy a wide range of cocktails and tapas with views towards Leblon beach.

Gym, lounge and swimming pool.

On the rooftop guests will find the hotel’s pool, which has views towards the ocean. There is a gym with a sauna, and guests will be able to enjoy massages in the wellness area. On the ground floor there is a lounge area and a small theatre where guests can watch movies.

Conference room.

The hotel has a conference hall and a small theatre style meeting room that can accommodate up to ten delegates. There is a business centre with several computers near the lobby.

Location.

The hotel is located only a couple of minutes away from a large mall, the Zona Sul, and there are many bars, coffee bars and restaurants within walking distance from the hotel. The hotel is located in the Leblon neighbourhood, south of the famous Ipanema beach. The hotel is not considered to be in the touristy part of the city and is seen as a very chic place to stay, with many boutiques and gourmet restaurants lining the nearby streets.

Images courtesy of http://www.marinaallsuites.com.br/allsuites/english/index.asp?musica=stop

The Beacon XV Hotel is located in Boston, in the state of Massachusetts in the United States. This hotel has an antique design with integrated technologies and art works.

Historic Building.

The hotel is located in an historic building dating from 1903 on Beacon Hill. The hotel has a vast territory located in the central business district right next to the historical centre and near many of the city’s landmarks.

The designer décor is present throughout the hotel, from the mahogany reception to the halls filled with artworks. The building has an elevator almost identical to the building’s first elevator, which in turn was one of the first ones in the country. The hotel has a media library and guests will be able to enjoy a wide range of music directly in their rooms.

Rooms and Prices.

Each one of the 62 rooms at the hotel comes with a fireplace. The rooms have plenty of natural light, wooden floors and furniture upholstered in materials of varying shades of gold. Each room has a queensize bed and cotton bed linen. There is a spacious working space with natural light. The hall leading to the bathroom has a table with fresh fruit, and the bathroom itself is made from Italian marble and has make up and shaving mirrors, huge towels on heated towel rails and thick bathrobes for each guest. There is a television, a jacuzzi and a separate cascade shower in the bathroom.

The beds are four poster beds with curtains and are covered by cashmere covers. Next to the bed there is a control panel that controls the chimney and the music. The working area has a fax machine and three telephone lines. The 27 inch television screens come with a wide selection of films and have Internet access. The minibar in each room is stocked with all kinds of refreshments.

The Classic rooms cost 291€ per night. The Studio rooms are more spacious and cost 404€ per night. The Suites have a bedroom and a living room, with a price of 883€ per night. Those guests who travel as a group or for an event can rent a whole floor for 2756€ per night.

Extra Services.

Guests will be able to enjoy the hotel’s personalized service. After their arrival, guests receive personalized business cards that state their room number, telephone and contact details and their arrival and departure dates, a service designed for those who travel on business.

Pet Policy.

Pets are allowed at this hotel, and these furry guests are provided with bowls filled with snacks and blankets for cats and dogs upon their arrival. If it rains during the stay, guests can use the complimentary umbrellas.

Chauffeur.

Guests who have to travel around Boston can use the hotel’s chauffeur service. The hotel has a fleet of Lexus cars that can take guests all around the Boston area.

Conferences and Meetings.

The hotel has several conference rooms, each room having a capacity of up to ten people. All conference rooms have a private bathroom, leather chairs and a fireplace, and iPads and other technological items can be rented for events.

Restaurant.

The hotel’s Mooo restaurant is decorated in the latest fashion with elements dating for the start of last century. This restaurant serves all kinds of gourmet dishes. Guests will be able to enjoy a delightful meal either at the restaurant or directly in their rooms.

The wine cellar dates from the time this hotel was still a large private mansion. Private events such as dinners of up to 40 people can take place here.

The Epic Hotel is a spacious hotel located in downtown Miami, Florida, in the United States. The hotel has spacious suites equipped with the latest technologies, and special rooms for tall people and bedding for pets.

Concept.

Some of the technological innovations that guests will find at this hotel include automatic light signals that read either Do Not Disturb or Please Clean the Room, substituting the old paper signs on the doorknob. Each room is equipped with a modern computer and a flat screen television set. Room service can bring snacks and meals directly to the room, as well as the latest books.

This cosmopolitan designer hotel is more than just brand name furniture. Each room is equipped with technological devices to ensure a relaxing stay, such as flat screen television sets controlled by the same remote that controls the lights and the temperature.

Rooms and Prices.

The hotel has 411 rooms and suites that vary according to size. The décor is modern, with large windows that let in plenty of natural lights and high ceilings. Rooms have views either towards the city or towards the water, and the hotel’s façade looks like a candle.

The rooms are decorated in light shades of gold. The furniture is made from wood and covered by colourful cloths. The bathrooms are equipped with hydromassage bathtubs.

The City View Double rooms and the Water View Double rooms have two double beds, a large bathroom and private balconies. The former rooms have views towards the city, and the latter ones have views towards the water. Some of these rooms are connecting rooms designed for families travelling together. Price is 275€ per night for a city view room and 310€ per night for a water view room.

The City View King Premier rooms have views towards the city from their private balcony. These rooms are spacious and have a kingsize bed. The Water View King Premier rooms are similar, except that they have views towards the ocean from their private balconies. Some of these rooms can be connected in order to create suites, and price is slightly higher than that of the Double rooms.

The most sought after rooms are the Club Level rooms, famed for their views. Guests who choose to stay in these rooms will be able to enjoy spa treatments directly in their rooms. The Club Level rooms are located on the two top floors of the hotel. Guests can use the private lounge club which have balconies with views towards the city and butlers available 24 hours a day. Each afternoon wine tasting evenings are organized at the lounge and there is a gourmet catering service.Price varies between 340 and 375€ per night.

The Water View suites are one bedroom suites with two balconies and views towards the bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Near the kingsize bed there are several walk in closets, and there is a sofa which can be transformed into a queensize bed in the living room. there is a main bathroom and a guest bathroom. Price is 440€ per night.

The Junior suites have floor to ceiling windows, private balconies, several closets and two bathrooms. The main bedroom has a kingsize bed and there is a queensize sofa bed in the living room. If guests want a larger room with views towards the ocean, these rooms can be connected to the Water View suites, creating an 140 metre space. Price is 375€ per night.

Most of other rooms are known for either their décor or their views, the Tall rooms being the exceptions. These rooms have larger beds which offer an extra 44cm of space. There are 13 Tall rooms, all of them with 244cm long beds and ceiling high shower cabins adapted for their tallest guests.

Guests who stay at this hotel will be able to enjoy the Forgot It? We’ve Got It service. The hotel can provide guests with the essential amenities that they might have forgotten at home.

Fitness and Spa.

The hotel’s spa is the Exhale Spa, known for its innovative skin treatments and massages. There are several swimming pools and a fitness centre.

Families with Children.

There are extra beds and cots available for families travelling with children, and a child proof safety kit is given to all families after check in which includes outlet covers and toilet latches. There is a children’s club for kids of all ages where fun activities are organized every day, and there are two pools for children on the 16th floor. Each child is given a Kimpton Kids Treasure Chest filled with games and toys upon arrival.

Pet Policy.

This hotel allows guests to bring their pets. Pets are given their own bowl and a bed courtesy of the Very Important Pet program. The rooms which are adapted for pets are provided with dog leashes and plastic bags to be used during walks. There is a petsitting service, a hairdresser for dogs and a massage room for pets.

Bars and Restaurants.

There are several bars, lounges and open air terraces with views towards the city. The Area 31 restaurant is located on the 16th floor of this hotel and has bay views. The restaurant has a terrace with views towards the pool where guests will be able to enjoy al fresco dining and the extensive wine list. The Zuma restaurant is focused on Japanese cuisine and has an innovative design.

Location.

This hotel has views towards the city, the river and the ocean. The hotel is located downtown, close to the famous Brickwell Avenue. Near the hotel lies the central business district, several main shopping streets, and many galleries and restaurants.

The Iron Horse Hotel is located in Milwaukee, in Wisconsin in the United States. The hotel is a theme hotel dedicated to the world of the metal horses, commonly known as motorbikes.

The Building Inside and Outside.

The hotel is located in an historic building which used to be a warehouse. The interior of the hotel is decorated in dark colours, giving it a mystique sense. The hotel specialises in motorbikes, and has lately begun to cater to those travelling on business. There are several conference rooms equipped with the best technologies and a small museum with several exhibits of historic motorbikes.

Rooms and Prices.

The hotel has 102 rooms styled as lofts. Each room is a spacious double room with a private bathroom. There are rooms for people with limited mobility and rooms that can be connected in order to form family rooms. The hotel allows dogs, and those travelling with pets get a complimentary water bowl, a food bowl and a special menu for dogs.

All rooms have either a queensize or a kingsize bed, with designer bed linen, mattresses and pillows. Each rooms has a working area with a large working desk and a leather chair. There is a minibar with a fridge stocked with drinks and snacks. Guests will be able to connect their iPods, laptops and mobile phones to the 42 inch television screen to charge them. There are coffee and tea making machines, a safe, an ironing board and climate control. The spacious bathrooms have a separate make up and shaving mirror, rain showers and bathrobes for guests.

The Urban Classic rooms are chic double rooms. The rooms have large windows, brick walls and ceilings with wooden beams, with wooden furniture covered by colourful textiles.

The Custom Deluxe rooms have large windows etched into the thick brick walls of the ancient warehouse. The ceilings have wooden beams and modern furniture decorates the rooms. There is a separate lounge area where guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner with views.

The Corner Alcove rooms are located in the corners of each floor, and each one has different views towards the city. The large windows and brick walls are decorated with pieces of art. Each room has a bedroom, a bathroom and a lounge area with a sofa, several armchairs and a large dining table.

The Premium Loft rooms are located on the hotel’s highest floor. The beamed ceilings are almost four metres tall. These rooms have a separate living room with sofas, a dining table and brick walls covered by works of art.

The Hotel’s Philosophy.

This hotel is a hotel that revolves around motorbikes. There is a special parking and cleaning service for motorbikes. Several different kinds of motorbikes can be rented at the hotel. During the summer months several motorbike conventions are organised at the hotel, which fills up with Harley Davidson bikes. There are special rooms for motorbikers, with large pegs to hold their heavy leather jackets and small benches near the entrance for their boots and helmets.

Bar and Restaurant.

This hotel has a bar, Branded, and a restaurant, Smyth, known for their traditional and rustic approach to food. The Yard is another bar and restaurant with its own terrace, where guests can dine al fresco while enjoying the views towards the city.

Gym and Spa.

The hotel has a large gym equipped with several weight lifting machines and flat screen television screens. There is a weight lifting area and a yoga area. The gym has several spa rooms which offer different relaxing massages and skin treatments.

Conference Rooms.

The hotel has several conference rooms and a business centre which is open 24 hours a day. These spacious conference halls are equipped with the latest audiovisual technology. The hotel has a catering service for large events. There is Internet access throughout the hotel.

Sustainability.

The hotel has not only managed to conserve the structure of the old warehouse, with its brick walls and wooden beams, but it has managed to turn this place into an ecologically sustainable place. Recycled rubber has been used for the floors of the gym and the laundry room, and all carpets are woven with recycled material. Even the sculptures that decorate the rooms are made from recycled aluminium. Low consuming light bulbs are used in all rooms, as are organic soaps, recycled paper and almost all counter tops are ecological.

Location.

This hotel is located a short distance away from the Midwest Airlines Convention Centre. Guests will be able to visit the  new Harley Davidson Museum that is located near the river. The hotel is only a short walk away from the city centre, near the historical neighbourhoods of Fifth Ward and Latin Quarter. This area of the city is filled with bars, restaurants, shops, historical buildings and cultural landmarks, such as the Milwaukee Museum of Art, the Northern Lights Theatre and the Discovery World Museum.

The Malmaison Hotel is located in Oxford, England, in the United Kingdom. Today this old city prison has been remodelled and converted into a large hotel which still conserves its past décor.

Originally this building was an ancient Victorian prison, and even now guests can appreciate the heavy metal doors, iron staircases and forged steel cells. Inside, the hotel could not be more different, with a plush modern décor and rooms with flat screen television sets, climate control and light control. There is Internet throughout the hotel.

The hotel has 95 double rooms, and each room is located in one of the ancient cells. Each room has a private bathroom, a double bed, and heavy metal doors which serve as a reminder of what the building used to be. The cells are painted in dark colours and have red velvet curtains that match the furniture.

The hotel has several suites. One of the old jail’s wings houses several large suites, while what used to be the jailer’s room now has spacious rooms with poster beds and a small cinema.

Each one of the cells holds a selection of wines and snacks, and a large bathroom with a modern shower. There is room service during all day and guests will be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner directly in their rooms.

Price starts from 200€ per night in a double room, and is higher for suites. An extra bed costs 34€ per night, and the cribs are free of charge.

The Liberty Hotel is located in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. This jail was built in 1851 and because of terrible conditions it had to close its doors nearly 140 years later.

More than a decade ago and after a major makeover, the building was transformed into a hotel. The old jail, where Malcolm X and Frank Abagnale Jr. were imprisoned, still has the original brick façade. The interior patio has remained mainly unchanged.

A large tower was built after the jail closed its doors, and most of the hotel’s rooms and suites can be found there. All rooms are double rooms with a private bathroom, and are decorated in pale pink and grey with mahogany furniture. The windows fill a whole wall and many rooms have views towards either the river Charles or the city itself.

The suites are even larger and have a kingsize bed and a bathroom, another guest bathroom and separate living and dining areas. There are several types of suites, and none remind guests that the building used to be a prison, since they all have a private pantry, a giant closet and a library. Other suites have a private open air terrace.

The hotel has five bars and restaurants whose decoration reminds one of the building’s original use. One of the bars is an open air bar which opens during the summer months, located where the interior patio once was. Some of the old cells have been transformed into conference halls and meeting rooms, and a large portion of one floor is now a ballroom where events can take place.

The Lowengraben Hotel is located in Lucerne, in Switzerland. The building was built as a city prison in 1862, but from 1998 onwards it has been converted into an hotel.

The rooms are located inside the old cells. Each cell is now a double room with a bathroom, although the windows still have bars on them. The hotel has several themed suites located in what used to be the old recreation room, the jailer’s office, the visiting room and the library. Price varies between 95 and 187€ per night.

The Langholmen hotel is located in Stockholm, in Sweden. Known as the Prison of the Crown, the prison closed its doors in 1975 and years later was remodelled into a hotel.

The rooms can either be individual or double rooms with a bathroom, and despite their modern design they still have the same doors they had when the hotel was still a prison, although each one has their own key. The windows no longer have bars and the decoration is apt for the most exquisite of guests. Price starts from 172€ per night for an individual room and 215€ per night for a double room.

The hotel has its own museum, called From Crime to Chains. The museum has several galleries dedicated to the nearly 150 years of this prison’s existence.

The hotel has a restaurant, the Finkan, known for its traditional cuisine and its Sunday brunches. The hotel has a small café which serves snacks and a shop. Guests will be able to use the hotel’s parking.

There are many historical landmarks near this centric hotel, such as a beach near Langholm bridge where locals and visitors soak up the sun rays during the summer months. On the other side of the bridge guests will find many shops, restaurants, cinemas and art galleries.

In the last few years, there has been an increase in the demand for themed hostels and hotels. In several countries, ancient prisons have transformed themselves into hostels for the most adventurous guests.

Some of the abandoned jails have been remodelled into hostels, hotels and museums. This type of lodging offers guests the opportunity to sleep between bars.

Ottawa Jail Hostel.

The Ottawa Jail Hostel is located in Ottawa, Canada. The jail was built in 1862 and was shut 110 years later. Several decades ago the building was remodelled into a hostel with several large cells, or rooms, that can accommodate groups, and several private cells for couples, the largest of them being the Jailer’s room.

The building is built in a Victorian style. There are several types of rooms. The largest cells can accommodate groups and are located in what used to be the jail’s hospital wing. The double rooms are located in the actual prisoner’s cells. The largest room is located in the room where the supervisors worked. There is a small museum, the Carleton County Gaol Heritage Centre, located on the eighth floor of the hotel, a floor which has not been remodelled and where tours telling the history of the prison and ghost tours take place.

The hostel has a kitchen with several refrigerators where guests can store their food. The jail’s ancient chapel has been converted into a recreation room with a television, game consoles and board games. What used to be the visiting area is now the Internet room.

The hostel is located in the centre of this city. A few blocks away from the hotel guests will find the Rideau mall, Byward Market and several landmarks and museums, including the Museum of Civilization, the Canadian War Museum and the National Gallery of Canada.

The Celica Hosterl is located in Ljubljana, in Slovenia. This former Yugoslav prison has been transformed into a themed hostel with its own art gallery.

The hostel has 20 rooms, and each room is an old cell. There are several types of rooms. The large cells can accommodate up to 12 people and have a shared bathroom, one bathroom for men and one for women. The medium cells can accommodate up to seven people and have their own bathroom. The smallest cells share a bathroom per floor, and have a maximum capacity for three people. Some of the cells have access for people with mobility problems and an adapted bathroom. All rooms have the original bars both on the doors and windows. Price is usually up to 28€ per night.

There is a kitchen area with several fridges, and a restaurant with hookah pipes. There are safes and a luggage storage area for the guests to use. Books and board games can be used for a small extra price. There are several city and region maps and guides at the reception desk, and city tours can be organized.

The interior design of the building is artistic, with many colourful murals and paintings on the walls. Part of the ancient building is used as an art gallery.

Napier prison is located in New Zealand. The hotel organizes tours around the old jail and the city and group activities, and part of the building has been rebuilt to host guests.

Guests will be able to sleep in the old prison cells. Several cells have been remodelled into modern rooms that can accommodate groups, while other cells have become double rooms with a bathroom. Some of the cells remain unchanged, and the most daring if guests will be able to sleep in these real cells. Price for a bed in the large room is 12€ per person, while double rooms cost 15€ per person per night.

The Old Jail is a hostel located in Mount Gambier, in Australia. The hostel used to be a jail, and even now the building resembles a prison more than a hostel.

The hostel has basic accommodation, although they do offer guests a taste of the old jail. Each room is a scarcely furnished cell, and the shower rooms are the same the prisoners used. The rooms where the supervisors used to stay are now triple rooms. The only element that differentiates the rooms form the cells is that now the doors can be opened from the inside. Price is between 15.70 and 32€ per night.

Despite the very basic accommodation, the old kitchen has been transformed into a renown restaurant. The Turnkey restaurant offers a wide range of delicious dishes and local wines. There is a television room with a pool table, while another meeting room has a fireplace. The hostel’s façade has been restored in order to look like the original 1866 one.

Karosta prison is located in Liepaya, in Latvia. This old military prison offers guided tours around its territory, and the most adventurous of guests will have the possibility to spend a night behind bars.

The bravest guests will be able to sleep in one of the cells of this prison, which closed its doors in 1997, and enjoy the same food the prisoners had to eat. For those guests who want to go a step further, the hostel offers the option of sleeping, eating and being treated as a prisoner. Price is 11.20€ per night. Many people choose the latter option as a theme night for stag parties, and many of the fake prisoners even try to escape their cells.

The Taylor Falls Old Jail Bed and Breakfast is located in Taylor Falls, Minnesota, in the United States. This small local jail only has four cells and three suites.

Guests will be able to stay at Jail Cottage, a small cabin that was the main jailhouse. The jail’s façade is made from wooden blocks, an unusual feature in its day. The cabin has several double rooms, each with a private bathroom, an equipped kitchen, a fireplace and a private balcony. When the bed and breakfast was still a jail, a saloon stood next to it, and its building has been transformed into a guesthouse with three suites. The Cave suite is located inside the original structure of the building. Price is 99€ per night for those who want to stay in the cells in the Jail Cottage, and 106€ per night for those who stay in the saloon.

Anchorage Historic Hotel was one of the first hotel built in Anchorage, Alaska, in the United States. The hotel is located in an historic building and it is said that several ghosts live at this hotel.

The rooms and prices.

The rooms has 26 double rooms and suites decorated in pastel colours. All rooms are double with a bathroom and all of them are no smoking rooms. Two of the rooms have access for people with mobility difficulties. All rooms have large television screens, Internet access and an alarm clock.  There is a spacious working area with a desk and chair, a safe and free newspapers. The bathroom amenities are Aroma Botanicals. There is a coffee machine and a wide selection of teas and coffees, and a microwave is available on request. Guests can use the iron and the ironing board. The hotel can arrange long term stays.

The standard rooms have a classic décor, with a bathroom and either a queensize bed or two twin beds. The price is usually 78€ per night.

The Junior Suites are large suites with the same amenities as the standard rooms. The suites can have either a kingsize bed or two queensize ones. There is a living room with a bar and a sofa which can be converted into a queensize bed. Price is around 135€ per night.

The ghosts.

It is said the spirits live in this hotel. The second floor is visited by a young woman who roams the hallways. One of the hotel’s celebrity ghosts is Black Jack, named John J. Sturges, who was the town’s first chief police officer. The ghost returns to the hotel every 20th of February at 21.15 since 1921, the day he was killed. The rooms 215 and 217 are haunted rooms where guests usually feel the presence of a ghost. Some of the bathroom curtains in several rooms tend to move of their own accord, and some tap open and close without anyone touching them. The ghost of a bride-to-be committed suicide the night before her wedding, and now her spirit walks down the hallways. Another guest who passed away haunts the stairs, going up and down. At the reception desk guests will find a book where they can write down and ghost sightings.

The building.

The hotel was founded in 1916. During many years, it was the city’s only hotel, and at the start of the century it was used as a place for cotillions, charity fund raisers and other social events such as dinners with silver cutlery, china crockery and sparkling white tablecloths. The hotel is located in the centre of the city, and the recently reconstructed building is considered to be a National Historic Landmark.

Breakfast, dining and conferences.

Guests will be able to enjoy a delicious continental breakfast. Breakfast includes several type of cereal, fresh fruit, Belgian waffles, freshly squeezed juices and a wide selection of tea and coffee.

Near the hotel guests will find Rumrunner’s Old Towne Bar and Grill. This bar and restaurant specializes in gourmet grill and during the weekends gusts dine while listening to live music.

There is a concierge available 24 hours a day. The hotel has its own souvenir shop and a small tourism office which provides information about the town to visitors. At the souvenir shop guests will be able to buy copies of traditional local artefacts and other objects related with the history of the region. There are photocopying machines, faxes and a laundromat available.

The hotel organizes conferences and banquets. There is enough space for 150 guests, and several different conference rooms are available for all kinds of events. All the meeting room are equipped with audiovisual technology and a catering service can be provided on request.

Location and Excursions.

The city of Anchorage is a lively city with natural views. Less than five minutes away from the hotel guests will find the William A. Egan Convention Centre, a space for conferences, conventions and events. Near the hotel there are several historical landmarks and museums. Sydney Laurence, a known painter, used to live at this hotel.

During the summer months the hotel organizes excursions and ecological tours. Guests will be able to enjoy many activities, including fishing, bird watching and hiking the Alaskan trails. Visitors can haunt, explore the trekking routes and kayak, and gold classes under the midnight stuff can be organized. There are 26 glaciers nearby. During the winter months, guests will be able to participate in many sports activities, ranging from mushing to hockey and ice skating. Many visitors come to the hotel to enjoy the Aurora Borealis.

The Farnsworth House Inn is one of the best known bed and breakfasts in the United States. The hotel is located in te historical city of Gettysburg, and it is said that several ghosts who died during the Battle of Gettysburg still live there.

Rooms and prices.

The hotel has several rooms and suites. Each room has a double queensize bed and a bathroom with either an engraved bathtub or a jacuzzi, with decorations dating from the battle. All rooms has a television set, although five rooms have another form of entertainment in the shape of ghosts.

Custer room is a room with a rustic décor that reminds one of the Wild Wild West. There is a chimney and the floor is covered by a large buffalo hide. Price is around 105€ per night.

Schultz room is located in the main building of the hotel. It has a classical décor, with a queensize, cherrywood bed and a claw foot bathtub. Price is 105€ per night.

The Jeannie Wade room was built in honour of the only civilian who dies during the Battle of Gettysburg. The room is decorated in jovial yellow tones and has a large bed, a fireplace and a bathroom with glass decorations. Price is 105€ per night.

The Sweney room is a room decorated in pastel colours with flowers. The room has antique furnishings, including a large wooden wardrobe and there is a claw foot bathtub in the bathroom. The price is 105€ per night.

The Eisenhower room is decorated in honour of Mrs. Eisenhower. The rooms has pink decorations and in the centre stands a large, Victorian era sofa. Price is 105€ per night.

McFarlane room is located in the oldest part of the main building, which dates from 1800. The room is decorated in a vintage style, and there is even an antique sewing machine. Price is 105€ per night.

Another room, the Sarah Black room, is decorated in a Victorian era style. The room is covered in crocheted fabrics and lace, and all the table tops are marble, and a claw foot bathtub stands in the bathroom. The rooms costs 127€ per night.

The Bell Boyd room has views towards the gardens. The room is decorated in various shades of blue. The bathroom holds a jacuzzi for two. Price is 141€ per night.

The Lincoln room is one of the largest rooms at the hotel. The room is painted in blacks and reds, and there is large double bed, a chandelier, a black marble fireplace and a jacuzzi for two people in the bathroom. Price is141€ per night.

The building.

The building of the hotel is considered to be an historic building. Several soldiers hid there during the Civil War. The façade still has the bullet holes dating from the battle.

The hotel was built in memory of those who lost their lives during the Battle of Gettysburg, which lasted from the 1st to the 3 of July 1863. Many say that the ghosts of the dead still wander around the hotel.

The hotel organizes candlelit ghost tours. During these ghost tours, which start from the attic and end with a walk around the city, all of which is done by the light of a candle, guests will be able to learn the history of this important building and of the battle itself. During the tour a guide dressed as they did in that era tells the history of the city and the battle, and shares entertaining stories and anecdotes of ghosts who still exist in many buildings.

What ghosts lived there? To be continued!

It is said that fourteen ghosts live in this ancient mansion. The ghost of a young woman called Mary is the hotel’s main attraction. A father and his son, who died on the hotel’s territory, roam the hallways. Several soldiers who died during the battle can be heard moving boxes around in the attic. One of the walls of a bathroom on the second floor has phantom blood smears from a soldier who died in the attic.

This bed and breakfast serves delicious breakfasts made from locally grown ingredients. The Tavern is the hotel’s restaurant, where guests can enjoy lunches and dinners while listening to ghost stories. The restaurant is decorated with antiques and has a small patio with a fountain.

The wine cellar and the attic host guided ghost tours. The hotel has a library filled with literature about the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War.

The Triton Hotel is an artistic hotel located in San Francisco, California, in the USA. The hotel has an eclectic décor with many references to pop culture and has become favoured by many artists.

The hotel is part of the ecologically friendly Kimpton hotels. Each hotel has a different theme, and this particular hotel is all about pop culture.

This is an ecological hotel where all the paper based products are recycled and the cleaning products are free from any toxic elements. One of the floors at the hotel, the seventh floor, only has ecological rooms, with special low consumption light bulbs, fixtures to save water and towels and bedlinen made from ecologically grown cotton. The design of this floor is full of greens and its message is about sustainability and the importance of using biodegradable materials.

Rooms and suites.

Each Standard room has a different interior design, full of colour and artistic decorations. The double rooms are small and have tomato red walls and bamboo floors. All rooms have a double bed and a bathroom with ecologically produced bathroom amenities. The furniture has a curvy style. There are iPod dock with a alarm clocks on the bedside tables and bathrobes for each guest. The minibars are filled with organic food. Each room has a Nintendo and each bathroom has a black rubber duck. There are larger rooms available such as the Deluxe and the Executive rooms, which have larger beds and a lounge.

The hotel has several suites. The Celebrity Suites and the Zen Dens are larger rooms with free WiFi and complimentary newspaper and tea and coffee each morning. Each suite is decorated like the room of a celebrity, an historical figure or as a particular commercial brand, and is decorated according to the theme.

The Zen Dens are rooms which follow the Zen philosophy. Each room is decorated in relaxing light shades and is decorated with statues representing Goddess Tara and bamboo furniture.

The Sweet Suite is a large suite decorated like a Häagen Dazs shop. The suite’s walls are painted in vanilla and caramel colours, and there are many scented candles which smell like some of the brand’s most bought flavours, such as crême caramel. The bed’s headboard is shaped like a carton of ice cream and the bed itself is covered by a large quilt which looks like a waffle. This suite has a freezer filled with many Häagen Dazs ice creams, and special spoons and bowls are provided for those guests who want to enjoy their favourite flavours. Part of the room’s revenue goes to the hotel, while a certain percentage goes to charity.

Kathy Griffin’s D list Suite is a suite inspired on Kathy Griffin’s life and her TV series My Life on the D List, which tells the story of a minor Hollywood celebrity. Even though it’s called a D list Suite, the décor is all about the bling, with modern furniture painted in pearl, chocolate and green colours.

The Jerry Garcia Suite is a suite dedicated to the singer from the Greatful Dead. All the furniture is upholstered in silk and the wardrobes hold some of Jerry Garcia’s costumes. The giant bed is covered by a woven duvet. From the walls hang some of the musician’s own art works, and one of the walls holds his giant autograph.

The King Triton Suite honours the lost kingdom of Atlantis. The suite is coloured in several different shades of blues, silvers and deep greens. The bed has silver hangings and reading lights. Next to the bed there is a large jacuzzi with its own television set.

Theme.

The main theme of this hotel is the influence of pop culture on our lives. Popular culture appeared in this city during the 1950’s and has greatly evolved since, something which is reflected in the décor and design of this hotel. There are many paintings inspired by Andy Warhol’s masterpieces. On the ground floor of the hotel guests and visitors will find a rotating art gallery. The gallery has a large collection of paintings made by local artists. The lobby is a giant mural of the history of pop culture.

Pet policy.

The hotel allows guests to bring their pets for an extra charge. Animals are only allowed to stay in the Standard rooms, but are provided with their own beds, organic food, water and toys. There is a pet sitting service offered at the hotel.

Food and Drink.

The hotel is located next to the Café de la Presse, a coffee shop belonging to the hotel. The coffee shop is decorated as a stereotypically bohemian French café, and serves international cuisine which guests will be able to enjoy directly in their rooms.

Business.

The hotel has a business centre equipped with fax and photocopy machines. There is Internet connection throughout the building. The hotel has several conference rooms equipped with the latest audiovisual technology and the hotel can organize events for up to 40 people.

Activities.

The hotel organizes several activities for guests. Coffee is served in the morning and freshly baked cookies are served each evening, while after dinner guests will be able to join wine tasting activities. Each night the hotel offers guests the opportunity to taste wine, listen to live music, enjoy a massage or even have their future read by a clairvoyant. All guests receive complimentary newspapers and a yoga kit which they will be able to use in the hotel’s gym.

Location.

Hotel Triton is located in Chinatown, a neighbourhood which starts at the ornate Dragon Gate. Only a couple of blocks away is the Union Square and the city’s financial district.

The Art Factory Hostel is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city. This hostel is located in the centre of the city, and its clean and modern rooms together with a colourful interior design make this one of the best places to stay for those travelling on a budget, in groups and those visiting the city for a couple of days.

The hostel has several types of rooms. Some of the rooms have a shared bathroom, but for a small extra fee guests will be able to have a room with a private bathroom. There are individual, double and triple rooms, as well as large dormitories for larger groups.

Each room has an individual design, since each one of them was painted and decorated by a different group of artists who each had their own take on the décor. This concept has transformed this centric hostel in a boutique hostel.

The shared dorms are decorated with street art such as graffiti and murals, and cost around 9€ per bed, which comes with bed linen and towels. An individual room with a shared bathroom costs 22€ per night, while an individual room with a private bathroom costs 27€ per night.

The double rooms can either have two individual beds or a double bed, and each one of these rooms has a different theme. A double room without a bathroom costs 27€ per night, while a double room with a private bathroom costs 35€ per night.

Triple rooms are slightly larger and have three individual beds. A triple bedroom with a shared bathroom costs 33€ per night, and a triple bedroom with a private bathroom costs 39€ per night.

Prices include bed linen and towels, and a continental breakfast served at the hostel. There is WiFi in all bedrooms, and the hostel’s common areas have fast Internet connection.

The hostel has its own bar and a terrace. There is cable television in the common areas. Check out is at 11 am, although guests can leave their luggage at the hostel if they still some time to enjoy the city before their departure. There is a large kitchen where guests can cook their own meals, and fresh fruit is provided at breakfast. The hostel has a library filled with books and magazines. Guests can hire a transfer service from and to the airport.

The hostel regularly organizes football competitions and guests can rent bicycles for touring the city. Depending on the day, the hostel can organize Spanish lessons or tango classes.

The hostel organizes theme nights. Several days a week guests will be able to enjoy an authentic Argentinian steak, and vegetarian options are provided for non carnivore guests. On other nights guests will enjoy live music by local independent bands and classical  film nights. Guests can participate in the Caminata Secreta, a guided walking tour across the historical streets of the San Telmo district.

The hostel is an artistic place strategically positioned for those guests who want to discover Buenos Aires at their ow pace. Every corner of the hostel was designed by a different group of artists, architects and designers. The hostel is located in one of the cities most centric districts, San Telmo, a contemporary and colonial neighbourhood with vintage shops, art galleries and places of historical interest.

The hostel is located in the centric district of San Telmo. Only a five minute walk away is the Plaza de Mato, which is considered the city’s main square. The hotel is communicated with the rest of the city by two nearby metro stations. Nearby guests will find Plaza Dorrego, a square where outdoor markets and market fairs are organized every weekend. A short walk away from the hotel guests will find many bars and restaurants, many of which organize live tango and music shows. Puerto Madero, the city’s most chic area, is a short distance away. San Telmo can be considered one of the most artistic barrios in the city, where art galleries, temporary exhibitions and permanent museums can be found within walking distance.