Five special places to stay
Whether as a gift, for a special occasion or as a romantic hideaway - sometimes you are looking for an unusual place to surprise your loved ones. We have put together five accommodations that are sure to be unforgettable - from lighthouses to churches, from deserted islands to forest cabins.
1. A lighthouse to fall in love with
At the northern tip of the Canary Island of La Palma, guests of the Faro Punta Cumplida Spend the night in one of the oldest lighthouses in Spain with the sound of the sea. At night, the lighthouse's lantern shines up to forty kilometers across the Atlantic. One of the three suites even has a sea view.
Anyone who stands on the viewing platform at a height of 36 metres and sees the waves rolling onto the rugged cliffs loses all sense of time and space and eventually comes back down fascinated and enchanted. Once at the bottom, guests are greeted by an infinity pool, a fireplace for cold days and a beautiful sun terrace.
The focus is on the lighthouse, which is already over 150 years old. In a five-year approval and renovation period, hosts Tim Wittenbecher and Marc Nagel have transformed it into a modern hideaway in which eight guests can immerse themselves in the world of the lighthouse keepers. Since the Faro Punta Cumplida has been electrified and remote-controlled, the building in La Palma is no longer inhabited by lighthouse keeper families. The two hosts have renovated the ensemble in such a way that the function and history of the lighthouse can still be experienced by guests - truly fascinating.
2. An old church to regenerate
This listed brick building from 1860 is surrounded by large old trees and hides a secret under its roof. The rear part of the building, which was originally a stable, was converted into the Catholic Chapel of Mary of the Angels in 1917. It includes an impressive pointed barrel vault with angel head decoration. Today it has been deconsecrated and serves under the name MariaMaria as a huge living and play area for residents and guests of the former rectory.
When you enter the church, directly from the hallway of the apartment, your mouth will drop open in excitement and awe. That's what the current owners felt when they discovered the building complex for themselves ten years ago. They renovated it sustainably and carefully and furnished it comfortably with vintage furniture. The highlight in the kitchen-living room is the large upholstered corner in the panoramic window and the view directly out onto the terrace and the herb garden.
This is the least densely populated area in Germany and is full of cycling and hiking trails. Foxes and hares say goodnight here. Deer and migratory birds come to visit. And at night you can see the starry sky.
3. A camp in the middle of the Norwegian forest
Å Camp is located on the banks of the Tessungåe, an almost untouched river in Norway. Staying in the off-grid, unique cabins in this wild piece of nature is definitely an experience in itself. There is little tourism and hardly any people there - instead you enjoy the peace and nature.
The camp opened in 2014 and since then owner Isaac Kolbein and his father, the architect and builder, have been building the cabins in the camp. The camp is located on a forestry operation that has been run by his family for generations. The area has been given new life with the exceptional cabins, regenerative agriculture and forestry.
In general, the architecture of the camp is simple and shows Nordic and Japanese influences. The plateau on which it stands is virtually untouched and offers many hiking and fishing opportunities as well as walks through these almost mystical forests full of silence.
4. A harbor crane with sightseeing view
A completely different kind of adventure awaits you in the middle of the bustling port of Hamburg. One of the largest ports in Europe. Here you can stay in an old Hafenkran Stay overnight and watch the Elbphilharmonie from your bed.
The historic harbor crane is part of the harbor - barges sail past, as do large container and cruise ships. You can hear the waves lapping and the seagulls screeching. The harbor crane was built in 1947 at the Vlotho shipyard and was rebuilt in 2017 and 2018 at the Behrenswerft in Finkenwerder.
The vision was to make the historic vehicle a reality and to allow guests to stay overnight in it, which would not normally be allowed. The harbor crane has been offering this option since 2018. Two guests can stay overnight in a glass-enclosed bedroom in the upper part of the crane. In the lower area there is a bar, a sofa, a shower and a fireplace. The harbor crane is stylishly furnished in a maritime style. The atmosphere in the middle of the harbor feels breathtaking - during the day and at night.
5. A lonely island without electricity in Greece
In the middle of Europe, you can spend the night on a deserted island in Greece. Socrates - that's really his name - and his family have converted an old wooden boat (kaiki) into a holiday home. Socrates has known the island since his childhood. His grandfather bought it so that he could spend the holidays there with his family.
Since 2020 you can stay overnight here. Nissos Sofia is pure and minimalist in almost untouched nature. The island can only be reached by private shuttle boat and is not a tourist destination. Inside, the accommodation is simply furnished with lots of wood and linen in boho style and offers space for two people. The bathroom has a rainwater shower, organic cosmetic products and a dry toilet. There is also an outdoor shower attached to the boat.
There is no electricity on the island. With a gas cooker or at the fireplace, you can prepare the freshly delivered food every day for a delicious open-air dinner under the stars. For the hot hours of the day, there is an awning that provides shade. For some people, this form of solitude is a big dream that the hosts want to fulfill for like-minded people. A truly unique place that you can enjoy undisturbed.
© Photos: Nissos Sofiaia, Faro Punta Cumplida, Bernd Schönberger, A Camp, harbour crane, Nissos Sofiaia
Geraldine Voss
Geraldine works as a freelance writer for Good Travel and has just completed training as a sustainability manager. After twenty exciting years in film, she now devotes herself full-time to her other passions - travel, food and design.
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