STIRLING, SCOTLAND — The travel industry is no stranger to outrageous hotels. From converted school buses and cozy igloos to glamourous treehouses and furnished sewer pipes, it seems that when it comes to accommodations, the quirkier the better.
Now, travellers can add two more unusual properties to their hotel bucket list: an old search-and-rescue helicopter in Stirling, Scotland, and a modernized flight control tower in Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport.
Stirling’s Helicopter Glamping hotel room is actually a decommissioned Royal Navy ZA127 Sea King Helicopter, reports Curbed, which is owned by Martyn Steedman and his wife Louise. Since acquiring the helicopter at auction in March 2016, the couple has poured tens of thousands of dollars into converting it into an ultra-luxe hotel room, complete with new rotor blades, a sun dome, double-glazed patio doors, shower room and mini-kitchen.
The helicopter sleeps a family of five in three different beds. Kids in particular will get a kick out of sitting in the cockpit, which boasts new swivel seats and a table, the ideal spot to enjoy breakfast. A night’s stay will run two adults £150, including all bedding.
In keeping with the aviation theme, Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport has found its way to the top of the quirky list. An old flight control tower has been transformed into a luxury apartment featuring incredible views of planes taking off and landing.
As reported by Inhabitat, Swedish designer Cilla Ramnek teamed up with the airport and vacation rental company HomeAway and Swedavia to give the 262-foot-high tower a head-to-toe makeover. HomeAway is currently holding a contest to give five winners the chance to stay in the apartment for a night. Running until the end of July, winners will also receive a meal at the Pontus in the Air restaurant and the choice of other HomeAway rentals for three more nights.