MuseuMotel: Cool Retro Pods in France
(images via: museumotel.com)
Retro-futuristic yet organic, the unusual concrete pods at France’s Museumotel are sort of reminiscent of shells. These little ‘bubble houses’ were designed in 1965 and are located on a river, surrounded by 41 acres of woods.
Barcelona Rock: Towering Hotel & Habitat
(images via: design boom)
Though it may never actually be built, Barcelona Rock is an intriguing concept, proposed by Polish firm UGO Architecture for the 2011 Bohemian Hostel for Backpackers competition. The tower actually functions as an urban climbing wall, a public outdoor space and a natural habitat for animals.The facade would be made of locally-sourced stone and would blend in with other Barcelona monuments like the Sagrada Familia. Rock is naturally a great indoor climate regulator, soaking up heat during the day and releasing it at night.
Panchoran Retreat: Stunning Eco Resort in Bali
(images via: inhabitat)
Straight out of your tropical vacation fantasies, the Panchoran Retreat in Bali features incredible river-straddling villas made of reclaimed and natural, local materials like bamboo and old telephone poles. The villas were designed by Linda Garland, who’s been known to give decorating advice to the likes of Mick Jagger and David Bowie.
Wadi Rum Resort: Built into the Cliffs of Jordan
(images via: design boom)
Unlike the similarly awe-inspiring Barcelona Rock, this amazing cliffside hotel concept will one day be a reality. The Wadi Rum Desert Lodge will actually be carved into the desert cliffs of the Wadi Rum in Jordan. The luxury eco lodge will be an addition to the existing eco-tourism industry in the area, with many surfaces and building materials left raw and natural.
Hotel Everland: Traveling Capsule Hotel
(images via: everland.ch)
Can you imagine having that view of the Eiffel Tower – from your hotel room? Almost nobody can claim that pleasure, but for a brief time, lucky (and loaded) travelers were able to do just that by staying at the Hotel Everland. Designed by Swiss architects Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann, this traveling capsule hotel was situated on the roof of the Palais de Tokyo with the help of a crane. The hotel suite included a bathroom, a king-sized bed and a lounge, and breakfast was delivered to the door each morning.
Bubbletree Transparent Portable Globes
(images via: dornob)
Get unbelievable 360-degree views of the location of your choice by renting a portable Bubbletree ‘tent’, but be prepared to give up your privacy. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, you can also choose a design that’s only half-transparent, preserving your modesty at least a little bit. Bubbletree even offers models like the Cristal Bubble, which can be brought right up to the water at the beach. There are even versions that can be suspended from trees.

