Top 30 Hip Hotels in 2008 H1

Next time you’re seeking a unique experience, check out some of the hottest new hip hotels.  This year, we’ve seen everything from a death star hip hotel to an Ikea hip hotel.

Based on our page views, the following is a list of the top 30 hip hotels in 2008.  This is one of many features in our new FREE Micro Trend Reports section.

Top 30 Hip Hotels

1. 7 Floors & 7 Stars Below Sea Level - Istanbul Underwater Hotel (GALLERY)

This seven floor underwater hotel will give its guests a new view of the famous city of Istanbul. It is due to open in 2010, and will coincide with its Culture Capital of Europe nomination and lay down… [More]

2. Wheel Shaped Hotel - Dubai Promenade (GALLERY)

Dubai property developer Nakheel announced the construction of the world’s first wheel-shaped hotel this week.

The Dubai Promenade is a new waterfront community in development, and one of these buildings… [More]

3. 5 Spectacular Swimming Pools (GALLERY)

These are some of the world’s most impressive swimming pools which are, for the most part, in hotels and resorts. The article I am borrowing this from, had listed 13 swimming pools but due to space constraints,… [More]

4. Dubai Builds Fashion Island - Isla Moda

Dubai Infinity Holdings is doing it again. They have announced a mixed use development to establish Dubai as a global “fashion hub.” Isla Moda will combine super style and ultra luxury to attract only… [More]

5. Death Star Inspired Hotel - Full Moon in Azerbaijan

Officially, they’re calling it the “Full Moon” - everyone else is calling it the Death Star. Yep, in our very own galaxy (specifically, Baku, Azerbaijan), the construction of Star War’s most famous man-made… [More]

6. Luxury Creation In Cancun - NIZUC Resort Residence Spa (GALLERY)

Set in 28 private beach-front acres the NIZUC Resort Residence and Spa is the creation of the ‘masters of hospitality’ Adrian Zecha and is sure to raise the bar even higher in the travel and vacation… [More]

7. Fantasy Rooms in Minnesota - The FantaSuite Hotel (GALLERY)

Winters are long and bone chillingly brutal in Minnesota, which is the only reason I can think of that the FantaSuite Hotel ended up in Burnsville, Minnesota.

Some of the fantasy room themes include… [More]

8. Green Luxury Building at Al Raha Beach - Abu Dhabi World Trade Center (GALLERY)

Not to be confused with Dubai, Abu Dhabi is on a building binge of its own. This is the World Trade Center to be built on Al Raha Beach, the spectacular spit of land for the waterfront east. 

Everything… [More]

9. Luxurious Greek Art Hotel – Classical Baby Grand Hotel Athens (VIDEO)

I’ve dreamed of going to Greece my entire life; there’s a magical lure to the Mediterranean I just can’t describe. Planning trips (even if I won’t actually be going in the near future) is half… [More]

10. Buy or Rent an Island - Privateislandsonline.com (GALLERY)

Want to be like Johhny Depp and have a private island where you can whisk your lady off to? Or are you fed up with noisy neighborhoods?

Then this website is for you.

at Private Islands Online, you can… [More]

11. Fashion Rock’n Roll Hotel - The Pavilion in London (GALLERY)

The 30-room Pavilion Hotel in central London combines fashion and rock and roll.

The hip boutique hotel was founded by brother and sister, Danny and Noshi Karne. Noshi is an interior designer, and Danny… [More]

12. Eco-Luxury Transit - Paris Dorchester Hotel Bicycles (GALLERY)

In keeping with the popularity of the eco-luxury trend, a chic Parisian hotel is offering its guests complimentary, hotel-branded bicycles as an environmental mode of transit.

The Dorchester is offering… [More]

13. Red Swimming Pools - Hotel Unique, Sao Paolo (VIDEO)

Hotel Unique in Sao Paolo, Brazil has incredibly modern interior designs as well as very high tech features. While the hotel’s 85 rooms and 10 suites all look aesthetically fantastic, it’s the curved wooden… [More]

14. Arabian Luxury Resort - Jumeirah Al Qasr (GALLERY)

Dubai has the rest of the world fascinated, left in awe by the amazing sites, innovations, and mainly architecture. The Jumeirah Al Qasr resort reflects the luxurious qualities the Arabian destination… [More]

15. Retro Travelling Part II - Vintage Airstream Caravan Holidays (GALLERY)

If you were looking for a warm and friendly place with that retro feeling in the air in which to spend your holidays, Airstream Europe is the place for you. What can make you chill out better than a bit… [More]

16. Hi-Tech Eco Igloos - Swiss Whitepod (VIDEO)

The ultimate Alps experience is Whitepod, a hi-tech eco pod camp for just 24 guests situated over 1700m high in the Swiss Alps.

Whiteopd offers both luxury and adventure while leaving little mark on… [More]

17. Mountain Cave Homes - Kokopelli’s Cave Bed & Breakfast (GALLERY)

The Kokopelli’s Cave Bed & Breakfast is a luxury hotel located in New Mexico near the Mesa Verde National Monument. The entrance to this usual B&B;is located in the cliff face. It can only be reached… [More]

18. Dubai Again At Forefront of Lavish Design - The Wave Tower (GALLERY)

The Wave Tower is the newest high rise building to be built in the city that has too much money. A-cero Architects are incorporating the waves of the oceanfront property into the overall design of the… [More]

19. IKEA Hotel - Sovhotell

An IKEA in a downtown shopping centre in Stockholm was offering tired shoppers a 15 minute snooze at the Sovhotell (Sleep Hotel). Guests were given special pillows to suit their sleeping style along with… [More]

20. Collaborative Hotel Designs - 20 Graffiti Artists Design Habita Hotel

The Habita Hotel, a design hotel in Polanco, Mexico City, recently covered a four story wall entirely in graffiti art. The purpose of the project was not only create a unique architectural facade but to… [More]

21. Zen Like Accommodation in Montreal - Bohemia Loft

Mark this one as a secret address. If you ever visit the oh so French city of Montreal, you may want to check out this little gem, located on St. Denis street, in the Plateau Mont Royal area. 

At the… [More]

22. Hip Gothic Church Hotels - Kruisherenhotel (GALLERY)

Who knew Gothic architecture could be so unbelievably funky and hip? Kruisherenhotel, located in Maastricht, Netherlands proves that it can be. We’ve seen renovated churches as homes, but this 15th century… [More]

23. Modern Art Hotels – HOMA Libre (GALLERY)

The HOMA Libre, or Hotel of Modern Art in the Yanshan District of Guangxi, China can well be described as extreme eclecticism in terms of architecture and design.

With bedrooms featuring giant silver,… [More]

24. Glass Igloos - Fake Ice Hotels (GALLERY)

Ice hotels are now popular across the freezing north, showing off everything from ice bars to beds made out of ice. In Findland, cold-looking lodging have happened to become quite a hit.

For something… [More]

25. Renovating Religion Part II - Converted Churches as Hotels (GALLERY)

Less people go to church today, hence these buildings are often converted to other uses. Some of them for instance become hotels, and here are a few examples.

Located in the heart of Royal Deeside, Scotland,… [More]

26. Virtual Surfing in Hotels - Sheraton Waikiki Sunami Surf Simulator (GALLERY)

Dude, how good does a surf vacation sound? I hate to break it to ya, but even making the trip to Hawaii can’t ensure perfect weather to hit the waves.

Ideal conditions for surfing are always present… [More]

27. Pillow Choice - Conrad Hotels Offers 75 Pillow Choices

Travelers who frequent Conrad Hotels have another decision to make when making a reservation. What kind of pillow they prefer. Conrad Hotels offer over 75 varieties. Some depend on where you are staying,… [More]

28. Fake Jungle Dining - New Restaurant Tropical Rain Forest Theme (GALLERY)

New Restaurant is a Swedish restaurant that is really, really determined to go green. This is like the European version of the North American Rain Forest Cafe.

Architectural firm Olssonlyckefors has… [More]

29. Beatles Hotel Opens in Liverpool - Hard Days Night (VIDEO)

Liverpool, England, is striving to become a global tourist hot-spot with the grand opening of a Beatles-themed hotel called Hard Days Night. The hotel features themed suites, a Yellow Submarine jukebox,… [More]

30. Museum Hotels - 21C (VIDEO)

If you’ve ever dreamed of living inside a museum, here’s your chance!

While Trendhunter.com has featured hotels that look like museums, the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, KY actually is one, it’s even… [More]