The Harlingen Harbour Crane, Friesland, The Netherlands

This must be one of the few hotels on our list where you can change your view at the touch of a, well, stick!

The unique Harlingen Harbour Crane is the perfect getaway for couples who like to boat watch.

Although just 60 square metres, the crane is surprisingly luxurious, with a mini bar, king size bed, a shower, toilet and even a small seating area.

Access to the crane, which was original built in 1967, is via two lifts.

A little staircase leads from the main room to the control cabin, where you can turn the crane 360-degrees to change your view.

“One chair, one stick. A tentative hand. A careful push to the left or right. Hold your breath. Sixty-five thousand kilos of steel start rotating at your very command. 360 degrees round and round and round,” promises the hotel’s owners.

There is even a large roof patio if you want to top up your summer tan with a bit of sunbathing.

The Figee level luffing crane was used until 1996 to unload timber freight from Russia and Scandinavia. The cabin is some 17 metres above the pier.

Prices start from €319 per night, including breakfast, which is delivered via one of the lifts each morning.

For more information visit the Harbour Crane website.

 

River Lodge at Pego Ferreiro, Serra de Sao Mamede, Portugal

Sitting above the Rio Sever in the Parque Natural da Serra de Sao Mamede on the Spanish border in Portugal, River Lodge offers privacy and peace.

The simple wooden lodge is the ideal place for couples to get away from it all.

Guests sleep on a tree trunk bed, while the solar power showers and a compost toilet are just a short distance from the lodge. Visitors can even bathe in the river if the mood takes them.

The lodge is self-catering, with a gas hob and communal BBQ, as well as a cool box to keep supplies.

The lodge is located on an eco smallholding so guests will be immersed in wildlife during their stay.

Spend afternoons watching the birds while sitting on the shaded verandah or explore the stunning local countryside.

Prices start from €170 for three nights (minimum stay).

For more information visit www.pegoferreiro.com

 

Roter Sand Lighthouse, Germany

The Roter Sand Lighthouse is probably one of the remotest hotels in Europe!

Situated in the North Sea, around 30-miles off the coast of Bremerhaven, Germany, it offers a unique overnight stay for up to six people.

It is best to visit with close family and friends, as there is just one communal bedroom, a kitchen and living area and a bathroom.

Guests are transferred to the lighthouse via a special ferry service, which only runs weather permitting; in the late autumn/winter, visitors are not allowed.

Be prepared for your stay either being cancelled or extended by one or two days if weather is rough.

Although its not cheap with starting prices at €625 a night , it is certainly an experience never to forget, providing visitors with a story to tell for the rest of their lives!

For more information visit the Book a Lighthouse website.

 

St Katharine B&B Boat, Barcelona, Spain

This unique bed and breakfast is just 10 minutes away from the centre of Barcelona.

Moored at Port Forum Marina next to the beach, the boat offers peaceful surroundings and luxury en-suite cabins.

You can relax on board in the boat’s Jacuzzi after a busy day exploring Barcelona and enjoy life on waterfront.

All rooms have their own bathroom, a flat screen with dvd, central heating, air-conditioning, safe deposit box and small desk/dressing table.

There is also free fibre optic Wi-Fi throughout the boat.

St Katharine used to be a former Royal Navy fleet tender, before being brought by the current owners, who spent two year refitting the vessel.

Guests can also make use of on-board self-service chillers and fridges filled with alcoholic and soft drinks.

Those arriving by car can also use the free, secure parking.

Prices start from €99 a night for a port/starboard cabin and from €90 for a bow/captain cabins.

The boat can also be rented out entirely for up to 11 guests, with prices starting from €295 per night.

For more information go to www.bed-and-breakfast-barcelona.com

 

L’lle Flottante, Dordogne, France

This floating mini-château for two has been designed by treehouse artisan, Rémi Becherel.

With turrets, L’Ile Flottante is the perfect place for romance, and even has its own outdoors hot hub!

There is also a king-size bed, walk-in shower, digestif-stocked minibar, Wi-Fi and iPhone dock.

Breakfast can be delivered direct to your door. If you don’t want to go out for dinner, gourmet meals can be brought to you!

Alternatively, explore the restaurants in Perigord.

If you want to venture out, L’lle Flottante is set in a 26-acre estate. You can explore by foot or hire bikes on site.

There is also table tennis, a boules pitch and a treetop terrace with seating area and panoramic views.

Prices start from £174 per night.

For more information visit the Canopy and Stars website.

 

Hotel Utter Inn, Västerås, Sweden

Fancy sleeping underwater? The floating hotel, Utter Inn (known as Otter Inn in English) offers you the chance to dream three metres below.

Designed by local artist,  Mikael Genberg, the hotel is located a very short boat ride away from Västerås harbour in central Sweden.

The Utter Inn has a 25-metre-square deck, where guests can relax after exploring the nearby uninhabited islands by dinghy.

Above the surface of the water, the hotel has a small kitchen, including a refrigerator, hot plate, crockery and 10 litres of fresh water.

There is also a dry toilet.

Although there is no electricity, this tiny hotel comes with a portable gas heater and lighting.

When it is time to sleep, guests can walk down the stairs to the underwater bedroom, which has four windows.

The Utter Inn is open between April and October.

Prices start from 1200 SEK (£110) per person per night (including bed lined and towels). Breakfast and evening meals can also be provided at an additional cost.

For more information visit the Västerås Tourist Board website.

 

La Casetta Sul Mare, Tuscany, Italy

Relax, drink wine and boat watch from this idyllic hillside overlooking the  coastline of Tuscany.

La Casetta Sul Mare is a stone lodge, where you can choose to sleep either inside or under the stars on warmer nights (there are two canopy beds to choose from).

Guests can walk to the nearby beach, where they can make the most of the Mediterranean autumn sunshine.

Described as “off grid”, the lodge is self-catering, with a stove and gas-powered fridge, allowing visitors to experiment with the local Tuscan produce.

There is a hot solar outdoor shower and flushing outside toilet, as well as solar lighting and lanterns.

Nearby, you can hire a small boat to explore the Monte Argentario archipelago. The lodge also comes with its own telescope for those wanting to star gaze.

The lodge comes with one double bed. There are also single beds in the master bedroom for up to two children.

Prices start from £218 per night.

For more information visit the Canopy and Stars website.

 

Martello Tower, Sutton, Ireland

This unique historic building is available for rental as a holiday home, a short term letting or even corporate letting.

Built in 1804, Martello Tower Sutton is located on the north coastline of Dublin Bay, Ireland, with breathtaking views of the bay and surrounding areas.

The tower has been refurbished to a high standard and offers guests a unique self catering holiday option – it is the only tower in Ireland available for rental.

The accommodation is split over the tower’s three levels.

There are two bedrooms and bathroom on the ground floor, as well as a living area and balcony overlooking the bay on the middle level.

The roof levels offers breathtaking 360° views from the modern kitchen/dining room.

Prices start from €420 for two nights mid week.

For more information visit the tower’s website.

 

Aquamarina Boat Hotel, Hungary

Originally built as an excursion boat for the Russian Romanov dynasty, the Aquamarina Boat Hotel is now moored on the banks of the River Danube.

The paddle steamer has 40 rooms over its two decks, including double and family rooms and a small number of apartments.

All the rooms come with air-conditioning, shower or bathroom, refrigerator, television, telephone and Internet access facilities.

The hotel has relaxed decor with Russian touches to reflect the paddle steamer’s history.

Breakfast is offered buffet style for guests, and is included in the room rate.

There is also a restaurant in the ship’s stern and a cafe with a glass floor giving views of the ship’s engine.

The hotel offers a shuttle service to the city centre 4 times a day

Prices start from as little as €35 a night.

For more information visit the hotel’s website.

 

Boat Hotel De Barge, Brugge, Belgium

With nautical-themed rooms, the Boat Hotel De Barge floats on the Bruges-Ghent Canal, around 600 metres from the Bruges Railway Station.

All cabins come with televisions, full central heating and wood furniture.

Guests can upgrade to have whirlpool bathtubs in their bathrooms, and there is also free Wi-Fi.

There is a lounge area where visitors can relax and the Captain’s Table restaurant, which services regional dishes such as Flemish beef stew.

Breakfast is included in the room cost and is served buffet style with fresh breads, juices and fruits.

The central Market Square and the Belfry of Bruges are within 20 minutes on foot from De Barge.

Prices start from €129 a night.

For more information go to www.hoteldebarge.be