Our Top 8 Unique On-Tour Accommodations

Travel allows us to explore the destinations of our dreams – to spend mornings unlocking the secrets of Giza’s pyramids, afternoons hiking through the wilds of Patagonia, and nights cruising the legendary Venetian canals, to name but a few.  But the difference between a great travel experience and one that sticks with you for a lifetime often comes down to the details, with accommodations ranking chief among them.  And here at Odysseys, we make it a priority to select accommodations that add something special to each of our tours.

Read on for a breakdown of our eight most unique accommodations – from a lodge suspended above a game-filled lagoon to an ancient Spanish pilgrimage site and so much more!

Locanda di San Martino - Southern Italy & Sicily

Sitting in the heart of Matera’s Sassi, a historical district full of ancient cave dwellings, this 32-room hotel expertly blends old and new.   Passageways cut into the rock, external staircases, and elevators connect all four levels of the hotel, while contemporary comforts and modern amenities offer a comfortable stay.  The breakfast area, bar, swim grotto, and guest rooms all boast natural rock walls and ceilings, and each guest room includes private bath with hair dryer, Internet access, and TV. Please note that because of the unique nature of the hotel, room sizes and views vary.

Kennicott Lodge - Untamed Alaska

This family-owned lodge offers guests breathtaking Alaskan scenery with views of the Kennicott Glacier, Mount Blackburn, and the Chugach Mountains.  A replica of one of the historic copper-mining buildings and the only lodge in America’s largest national park, Kennicott Glacier Lodge sits in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and features a 190-foot-long front porch with panoramic views of the mountains, as well as a restaurant, reading/family room, TV/gathering room, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and plenty of outdoor activities.  Each of the spacious guest rooms features a private bath.

Royal Palm Hotel - Machu Picchu to the Galapagos

The Royal Palm Hotel Galapagos comprises a secluded 480-acre private estate set in a lush Miconia forest in the highlands of the Galapagos’ central island, Santa Cruz.  Along with rainforest-like gardens, the property has extensive lava tunnels onsite.  Designed with a blend of colonial and traditional island elements that complement the natural surroundings, the hotel offers a restaurant and piano bar, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, massage treatments and whirlpool, gym, tennis courts, art gallery, and laundry and dry cleaning services.  Accommodations consist of 21 separate casitas and villas, all of which have a garden-facing front porch and provide air conditioning, private bath with hair dryer, and all modern comforts.

Jiva Hoa Lu - Southeast Asia Odyssey

Part wellness retreat, part hotel, and part natural sanctuary set amidst soaring, jungle-covered limestone cliffs, the Jiva Hoa Lu is built around and atop a series of pools and lagoons, echoing the endless rice paddies and winding tributaries in this agricultural region. Two restaurants, a wine and whiskey bar, swimming pool with poolside café, full spa, and fitness center complement the natural serenity here, while each well-appointed guest room features locally inspired décor and all modern amenities.

Mfuwe Lodge - Africa's Wildlife

Voted as the third best hotel on the planet by Travel+Leisure readers in 2025, the Mfuwe Lodge sits surrounded by two lagoons and canopied by ebony and mahogany trees within South Luangwa National Park in an area renowned for its excellent wildlife sighting locations. The lodge has a restaurant, bar, lounge, outdoor swimming pool, spa with massage services (for a fee), outdoor gym, curio shop, library, photo studio, and laundry service. The 18 air-conditioned, open-plan, thatch-roofed guest chalets provide a rustic yet comfortable experience, featuring en-suite bathrooms with hair dryer, private verandas, mosquito nets, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and in-room safe.

Parador de Santiago de Compostela - Across Spain and Portugal

Considered one of the world’s oldest hotels, the Parador de Santiago de Compostela (also known as the Hostal dos Reis Catolicós) was built by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1486 as a hospital for pilgrims.  The 137-room parador is situated in the historic Plaza do Obradoiro, adjacent to the famed cathedral, and includes architectural flourishes such as a carved entrance façade, vaulted ceilings, stone archways, a Renaissance chapel, and four courtyards.  The hotel features two restaurants and a bar, coffee shop, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, library, gift shop, and laundry and dry cleaning service (for a fee).  Air-conditioned guest rooms offer private bath and all modern amenities.

Hotel Ullensvang - Norwegian Splendor

Family-run for five generations, this gracious 172-room hotel sits on the eastern shore of Sorfjorden, part of majestic Hardangerfjord. The hotel has two restaurants, a bar, and several lounges; indoor swimming pool; indoor tennis court; fitness room; golf simulator; Jacuzzi; sauna; and solarium. During the summer guests can lounge in the delightful fjord garden (where composer Edvard Grieg’s cottage still stands), swim in the surprisingly comfortable waters of the fjord, enjoy lunch with a view (above), or explore the by rowboat or paddle boat. Guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, TV, and phone.

Manoir de Mathan - Provincial French Countryside

Located in a rural setting along the outskirts of Crépon, this hotel was previously a stately 17th-century home and has been renovated extensively to house 21 guest rooms with modern amenities. The hotel comprises three buildings situated around a common courtyard, each with exposed beams, antique furniture, and stone staircases that preserve the vintage French farmhouse aesthetic. Every guest room is unique in both size and décor, and all have private bath with hair dryer, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, tea- and coffee-making facilities, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

We believe that great accommodations can add immeasurably to the small group travel experience. We hope you agree – and we hope to be able to welcome you on tour soon!