Day 56.. Summer's Coming!.. Are you ready??

Day 56 and they say that Summer's on its way. Not that you could tell from looking out my window today. Cold. Rainy. Maybe 40 degrees. But they say Summer's coming; I guess I believe them.

The questions is, what can I do this Summer? D.'s going to be in Iraq, still. The family is all on the West coast, and I'm on the East. I want to do something fun and memorable. So.. like just about everyone who has a computer these days, I did a Google search. When all else fails, there's still Google...

So, on my search for "unusual hotels".. I found some doozy's..

Vacation Destinations and Hotels (Part 1)

The Giraffe Manor





Breakfast of Champions


Yes, folks, thats a Giraffe at the breakfast table. Something that's commonplace at the Giraffe Manor that is 140 acres of indigenous forest just outside Kenya's capital, Nairobi. From their website:

"Travellers from all over the world now make The Giraffe Manor part of their East African safari, the only place in the world where you can enjoy the breathtaking experience of feeding and photographing the giraffe over the breakfast table and at the front door."





A whole new way to feed the animals.




And now that the U.S. has amended the no travel warnng to Kenya, it's deemed safe to travel there. But at $655 a night, I'm not ready to pack my bags, just yet. But maybe you are. You can check out their website at http://giraffemanor.com/index.html .


Dog Bark Park Inn--Bed & Breakfast


It's gone to the dogs! (Ok, I couldn't resist) But over in Cottonwood, Idaho, you can actually stay in a carved dog hotel! From the website:

"Dog Bark Park Inn is a bed & breakfast guesthouse inside the World's Biggest Beagle. Guests enter the body of the beagle from a private 2nd story deck. Some of the dog's decorative furnishings are carvings by Dog Bark Park chainsaw artists Dennis & Frances. Inside and up another level to the head of the dog is a loft room with additional sleeping space plus a cozy alcove in the muzzle."

And at $92 a night, its a steal of a deal. But if a lack of television or telephone bothers you, this is not the place for you. This b&b doesn't have any. But they do have a chainsaw art gift shop. So, pack your bags and head on over to Idaho for a "barking" good time. (Ok.. I'm sorry.. I just had to throw one more in...) For more info, visit their website: http://dogbarkparkinn.com/ .

Hotel Everland








Postcard from Hotel Everlund



From Switzerland-based installation artists, comes this portable, one-room trailer style hotel. The artists are moving it around Europe in 2008, so don't miss your chance to stay in this fancy little trailer. Where else can you view panoramic views of the Eiffel tower by night? But by day this hotel becomes an art exhibit, so you'll have to be gone early in the morning, or you could risk being a part of the exhibit yourself! The website has some breath-taking photos and at about $525 a night, this is not a glorified Motel 6. To take a look at the pics and maybe book a stay go to their website http://www.everland.ch/en/home/ .

The Maramara Antalya Beach and Resort





Large Window Panaramic Room View

At first look, you may think that the Antalya Beach and Resort, in Turkey, is just your ordinary resort. But what sets this apart is that this hotel rotates in a circle, allowing guests a different view from their room windows at different hours of the day. From the website:

"The Marmara Antalya is home to the dramatic “Revolving Loft,” a 24-room, tri-level exclusive building that slowly revolves to reveal a constantly changing panorama of mountains, the sparkling Mediterranean, and the resort’s expansive grounds. This stunning building is the world’s first and only building which turns a full 360 degrees on its foundation. The building floats inside a special pool system that aims to surprise guests with a different view of Antalya at different times of the day. These 24 unique rooms are oversized guestrooms, whose bright, contemporary style features distinctive furnishings that provide a comfortable and soothing environment. "

If you aren't sold on the rotating hotel idea, just take a look at this beach..

Ahhh.. Heaven in a deck chair...

To book your stay or satisfy your curiosity, take a look at their website http://themarmarahotels.com/The-Marmara-Antalya/index.asp .

I'll continue my quest for unusual hotels on the next post. Until then, have a blessed day and get out that bathing suit... Summer is coming!