Much as we appreciate a luxury hotel at Travelwrap Towers, we do sometimes long for something a little more original. That’s why we love travel company Exsus which, since its launch in 2000, has put great deal of effort into finding unusual accommodation right across the globe. Here, the company suggests five of the most amazing places to overnight, many of which can be enjoyed in conjunction with other activities and experiences. Prices vary according to itinerary so for further details, contact Exsus.   

Uyuni Vintage Airstreams, Bolivia

Exploring the surreal lunar landscapes of Bolivia’s Uyuni salt flats (pictured above) in a vintage Airstream is an experience like no other. You will travel to the heart of the desert, passing salt mounds and lakes edged with hundreds of flamingos, before spending the night in a campervan, its interior modernised to include all the contemporary comforts. Evening meals are prepared by a chef and served beneath starry Bolivian skies.Hapuku Tree Suites, New Zealand, ExsusHapuku Lodge and Tree Houses, New Zealand

At Hapuku, close to Kaikoura on the Pacific Ocean coast, accommodation is in a wood-clad treehouse above a canopy of manuka trees, with panoramic views over the treetops to rolling hills, snow-capped mountains and the sea. As well as scenic treks, this stretch of coast is ideal for whale-watching, swimming with dolphins and surfing.

Pelican Point is a converted lighthouse on a remote peninsula in Namibia’s Swakopmund. Surrounded by the ocean and Namib Desert, Pelican Point boasts panoramic views from private terraces, with incredible desert sunrises and sunsets. Here luxury  is combined with wildlife watching – you can spot seals on the beach and flamingos on Walvis Bay – and there’s an excellent restaurant.ION, Iceland

The space-age ION hotel, a startling contrast to the prehistoric landscape that surrounds it, is the best way to experience Iceland’s ‘land of fire and ice’. There’s the starkly beautiful landscape to explore, glaciers to scale, volcanoes to hike up and even tectonic plates to dive between, and in winter the hotel is ideally placed to watch displays of the Northern Lights.

The Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru’s Sacred Valley, close to Cusco, are truly unique. Getting to and from them is all part of the adventure, as it involves clambering up a cliff then ziplining back down again. And you’ll need a head for heights as the clear glass pods are suspended more than 300m above the valley floor, guaranteeing spectacular views, opportunities to spot condors and some serious nighttime stargazing. 

BY MAGGIE O’SULLIVAN