Explore the world's best floating hotels for an UNFORGETTABLE trip

Hotels to drift off in

Floatels, boatels, whatever you want to call them – hotels that place you right over the water offer some of the world's best views. Who wouldn't want to step out of bed and straight into the Indian Ocean, for example, or wake up to vistas of a historic Scottish port? Or how about waking up in a hotel room frozen in a lagoon? It's all possible at these incredible floating hotels across the globe.

Fingal, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Opened in January 2019, this handsome ship is in fact a beautiful 23-room floating hotel, permanently docked in historic Leith in Edinburgh. Once a Northern Lighthouse Board ship, it was revamped by the team at The Royal Yacht Britannia and now offers guests a seriously luxurious stay, with various types of cabin available and a deck with glorious views out to the Scottish capital. 

Fingal, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Once inside it hardly feels like you're on a boat at all. Bedrooms are elegant, with king-size beds, smart TVs and rain showers in the bathrooms. Onboard you'll find the stylish Lighthouse Bar, where there's afternoon tea or evening aperitifs, and a magnificent ballroom accessed via a sweeping staircase. 

Good Hotel, London, England, UK

You can feel good about staying in this floating hotel. The Good Hotel in east London's Royal Victoria Docks is more than just a Thames-side accommodation option. The hotel is also a social-good project, hiring and training unemployed locals. There are also properties in Antigua, Guatemala and Amsterdam, each with their own philanthropic endeavours. 

Good Hotel, London, England, UK

And just because it's all about giving back doesn't mean it can't feel special. Pared-back luxury is the theme here, with neutral tones complementing the river vistas and an industrial-chic design throughout. Deluxe rooms have king-sized beds, and the rooftop is ideal for drinks with a great view.

Sunborn, London, England, UK

If you're not rich enough to own a super yacht, Sunborn is here for you. Get the full luxury yacht experience on board this floating hotel on the Thames in London's Docklands area. Dine with views out to the sparkling skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, before retiring to the sumptuous cabins for a night on the water. 

Sunborn, London, England, UK

There's even an onboard spa, where you can enjoy aromatherapy and skincare treatments, while afternoon tea is served in the restaurant for a traditional British experience. Just don't get too used to it, as a yacht like this one would usually set you back tens of millions of pounds.

Svart, Norway

Set in the wilds of northern Norway, at the base of the Svartisen glacier, this hotel is held up for its green credentials. When it opens in 2024 (after being delayed in 2022), it's set to be the world's first 'energy-positive' hotel (meaning it'll generate more energy than it uses), since the roof is covered in solar panels. And, of course, it has a dreamy location on the glassy Holandsfjorden fjord, built on stilts above the water.

Svart, Norway

The hotel's design is inspired by a 'fiskehjell', a wooden structure used to dry out fish, as well as traditional fishermen's homes. And it looks especially striking against its mountain backdrop. Beyond ogling the hotel and surrounding landscapes, guests can relax at the two-storey spa or get involved with activities, from sailing on the fjords in summer to cross-country skiing in winter.

Six Senses Laamu, Maldives

In an archipelago of brilliantly white islands surrounded by the azure Indian Ocean, it would be almost criminal not to make the most of the water. That's why, in the Maldives, there are plenty of hotels with floating (or seemingly floating) rooms. But Six Senses Laamu is the only resort in the Laamu Atoll. Surrounded by a beautiful coral reef, there are 97 beachfront and water villas, all crafted using local and sustainable materials.

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Six Senses Laamu, Maldives

Each villa looks as if it's floating on the transparent waters, and is completely secluded from the rest, with incredible views over the ocean and out to Maldivian nature. The hotel has plenty of facilities too, with an ice cream parlour, an overwater wine cellar and its signature Chill Bar, which is also built on stilts over the sea.

Arctic Bath Hotel, Sweden

This one-of-a-kind property is a true floating hotel. In summer, it glides serenely on the Lule River, and in winter, when the ice sets in, it's fixed to one spot, accessible via a pontoon. Arctic Bath Hotel's intriguing design draws inspiration from the woods, with a criss-crossed log exterior and a string of sleek guest rooms, each with direct access to the water. There's a modern cabin for five people back on land too. 

Arctic Bath Hotel, Sweden

Expect saunas, a hot tub, spa treatments, a restaurant and bar – and the opportunity to indulge in a Swedish tradition: ice swimming. The central open-air ice pool is 'heated' to 39°F (4°C), so you can take a bracing dip before retiring to the sauna. You can also strike out on excursions including a moose-spotting safari, an ice fishing expedition and a Northern Lights snowmobile tour.

Angsana Velavaru, Maldives

This little isle is home to yet another amazing Maldivian resort. Angsana Velavaru is set on the stunning Velavaru Lagoon and has 33 'InOcean' villas, all with direct access to the water and spectacular views. The double-storey villas offer a private infinity pool, and for even more overwater action, guests can relax from hammocks suspended above the ocean.

Angsana Velavaru, Maldives

A vast bedroom, luxurious bathroom and an enormous living area with plenty of space for dining complete this majestic over-water mansion. Guests can also indulge in award-winning treatments such as a honey sesame body polish and an olive oil body conditioner, all created using local native ingredients. 

Pumphouse Point, Tasmania, Australia

In the wilds of Tasmania, Lake St Clair has some of the most impressive accommodation on the island territory. The Pumphouse at Pumphouse Point is an old industrial building, 820 feet (250m) out into the glacial waters with spectacular surrounding scenery. Inside, it's modern and minimalist, allowing you to focus on the wonderful mountain views through its huge windows. 

Pumphouse Point, Tasmania, Australia

The Pumphouse has three floors, all with lake view rooms, and a gorgeous, inviting lounge with a wood burning fire for cosy evenings in. The pontoon that leads out from the shore has ample space for deck chairs, so you can grab a book or a glass of wine and take in the wilderness for an afternoon. For active types, there are nature walks in the surrounding forest, including part of the world-famous Overland Track route. 

The Float House, River Kwai Resort, Thailand

Stunning resorts aren't hard to come by in Thailand – the country has a plethora of fancy beachside hotels and luxury treetop accommodation. But this boutique hotel is special: it sits right on the Khwae Noi River with a number of pretty thatched villas for guests. 

The Float House, River Kwai Resort, Thailand

Each villa has its own veranda directly over the water, with a swing for lounging on and deck chairs for sunbathing. Primarily made from wood and thatch, the hotel blends beautifully with the surrounding forest, and come nighttime its lighting shimmers in reflections on the water. From the hotel you can hire canoes or try out bamboo rafting, and there's a fascinating cave system to explore nearby. You can also enjoy a cultural Mon dance show over dinner. 

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

Often lauded as the most romantic city in India, Udaipur has prime position on the shores of Lake Pichola. And no hotel is better placed here than the Taj Lake Palace, which sits 650 feet (198m) off the shore in the calm, shimmering waters. Formerly a summer retreat for the Mewar dynasty, it hasn't lost any of its luxurious royal vibes. 

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

Many of its original features, including free-flowing fountains and intricate fretwork, have been retained, and its grandeur is unparalleled in the city. Balconies made of marble offer fantastic views back to the enormous sandstone City Palace, and a pleasantly cool pool is the place to chill out after a day's sightseeing. As one of Rajasthan's most popular destinations, Udaipur can be frenetic and often noisy, but being on the water here gives visitors a rare sense of peace and quiet.

Off Paris Seine, Paris, France

What better way to enjoy the romance of the Seine than to sleep on it? You can do this at Off Paris Seine, a glamorous, 4-star hotel right in the middle of the city. At more than 260 feet (79m), this is the longest vessel permanently moored on the Seine, and its striking design is the handiwork of Parisian boat architect Gérard Ronzatti.

Off Paris Seine, Paris, France

Rooms have excellent views of either the right or left bank, and are individually designed with wall murals or bold, somewhat garish paint (if you're into that, ask for the orange room). In the lounge bar there's a plunge pool for those hot, Parisian summer days, where the city's trendiest locals come for sundowners on the decks or glorious brunches at weekends.

Uakari Floating Lodge, Brazil

Deep in the Brazilian Amazon's Várzea – a flooded forest – this floating lodge is the place to stay if wildlife is your bag. Right in the thick of the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, the lodge is surrounded by a bio-diverse wilderness where monkeys swing in the tree canopies and sloths idle on branches.

Uakari Floating Lodge, Brazil

From your villa's veranda you can spot plenty of exotic birds, from tui parakeets to scarlet macaws, and on nature walks you're likely to see the curious-looking bald uakari monkeys, as well as black caiman, both pink and grey river dolphins and sloths. The lodge is part of the Reef & Rainforest Tours 'off-the-beaten-track' itinerary, which takes in some of Brazil's lesser-visited highlights. 

Savasi Island Resort, Fiji

If staying on these paradise islands just isn't cool enough for you, book into Serenity at Savasi Island Resort. This vessel is a 140-foot (43m) schooner moored permanently in the bright blue waters of Savasi Island marina in Savusavu, northern Fiji. There are five staterooms onboard, each with wonderfully light, minimalist decor, as well as a cinema room and restaurant.

Savasi Island Resort, Fiji

On the top deck there are sun loungers aplenty for those seeking a tan and guests can also make use of the excellent facilities at the land-based resort, including the pool and the gorgeous white-sand beaches.

Manta Resort, Tanzania

Taking floating hotels to the extreme is Manta Resort off the coast of Pemba Island in Tanzania. Because overwater villas simply aren't enough for it, the resort has also got an incredible 'in-water' villa, which is quite literally stranded out to sea. The villa has three floors, one of which is underwater. 

Manta Resort, Tanzania

Accessible only by boat from the main resort, the structure has a top deck for sunbathing and stargazing, then a shady veranda beneath. You'll sleep with the fishes here – in the least morbid way possible – as the bedroom is located below sea level with incredible views of the colourful marine life that swims about in the surrounding water.

QE2, Dubai, UAE

Once one of the most luxurious and legendary cruise liners of the seas, the QE2 is now permanently docked at Dubai's Mina Rashid cruise terminal and finally opened in 2018, after a 10-year restoration process, as a luxury hotel. It's filled with 224 luxurious rooms, including two Royal suites.

QE2, Dubai, UAE

Expect a pool and gym, a duty-free shopping arcade and a theatre offering local and international entertainment. There's also an exhibition about the ship's history next door for those who want to learn more about the cruise liner's prestigious past. All rooms have sea or city views, with clever seating around the original portholes for hours spent gazing out to the UAE's glitziest city.

Casa en el Agua, Colombia

Floating hotels aren't just the preserve of the wealthy, and they don't have to be 5-star luxury properties either. In Colombia, Casa en el Agua, or 'House on the Water', is a hostel with a difference. Set in the San Bernardo Corals National Park in Colombia, this modest little hostel enjoys a prime location atop the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

Casa en el Agua, Colombia

Surrounded by small, verdant islands, it's a stunning place to stay, and the low starting prices mean it's open to all budgets. You can choose from hammocks suspended on an open deck, or splash out on a king-sized room which still won't put you out of pocket. Decor is minimal, with rustic wooden walls and a thatched roof, but you don't need fancy trimmings when you're sleeping in paradise.

The Ritz-Carlton, Fari Islands, Maldives

The islands of the Maldives are filled with luxurious properties that make the most of their location in the Indian Ocean location, and this is one of the newest. Operated by Ritz-Carlton – and looking particularly spectacular when captured from the sky – it comprises sleek villas arranged in a neat oval shape above the ocean's surface. Each has a private infinity pool, rain showers, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and your own private butler. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Fari Islands, Maldives

The circular spa is set over the ocean too – here you can indulge in ultra-luxe treatments, from bamboo massages to natural body wraps using Maldivian herbs. There are also seven restaurants and bars, including a fine-dining Japanese option and a more laid-back beach shack with DJ sets. 

Marina Lofts, British Virgin Islands

Kayak the azure-blue waters from your incredible abode at the Bitter End Yacht Club. The club's new Marina Lofts, inspired by vintage sail-lofts, are the only overwater bungalows in the British Virgin Islands. Needless to say a stay here is the most blissful way to make the most of your location on Virgin Gorda.

Marina Lofts, British Virgin Islands

Each two-storey wooden villa consists of a lower decking area complete with a ladder leading into the sea, a hammock, table and chairs – ideal for watching yachts sail in and out of the marina – and inside living room. The upper level features an airy bedroom with another outside deck for more seascape moments. 

Aurora Huts, Vatnajökull, Iceland

As part of an exclusive new trip offered by Off The Map Travel, adventurous guests will be able to stay the night in one of these incredible glass-walled Aurora Huts on a hidden part of the Fjallsarlon glacial lagoon in southern Iceland. The two hotel rooms float atop the water's surface in summer, but in wintertime they freeze into the lake and can only be accessed via an all-terrain vehicle.

Aurora Huts, Vatnajökull, Iceland

Inside the 97-square-foot (9sqm) igloos you'll find a cosy double bed and ensuite bathroom, while there is (thankfully) central heating to keep things toasty. With panoramic glass windows on one side, the rooms are designed to maximise guests' chance of seeing the Northern Lights. While Vatnajökull glacier is a popular place for visitors during the day, until now, people couldn't stay the night here, so the experience is a pretty exclusive one. To find out more, read the full itinerary for Off The Map's trip here. 

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