Introduction: Why Floating Stays Are the Ultimate Bucket List Experience
The world is full of extraordinary accommodations, but few experiences can rival the magic of spending the night on water. Floating stays combine the serenity of being surrounded by nature with the thrill of sleeping somewhere truly unconventional. From underwater bedrooms where tropical fish glide by your window, to eco-lodges hidden in jungles and icy rivers that transform into spas, these stays are destinations in themselves.
Floating accommodations are not just hotels – they are immersive experiences. Whether you’re in Africa, Asia, or Scandinavia, they offer a perspective that blends luxury, adventure, and connection with the environment.
In this guide, we explore five of the world’s most unique floating stays that deserve a spot on your bucket list.
1. The Manta Resort – Underwater Room (Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania)
Imagine lying in bed while fish swim past your windows, the ocean surrounding you in complete tranquility. At The Manta Resort’s Underwater Room off the coast of Pemba Island, this dream becomes reality.
What Makes It Unique
- The three-level floating suite includes a sun deck, a lounge deck at sea level, and a fully submerged bedroom beneath the waves.
- Floor-to-ceiling windows let you watch marine life 24/7. At night, underwater spotlights attract fish, squid, and sometimes even manta rays.
- It’s entirely private, moored 250 meters off the shore in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
The Experience
Your adventure starts with a boat ride from the resort to the floating platform. Once aboard, you’re cut off from the world, with nothing but the ocean horizon. By day, sunbathe on the rooftop deck or snorkel directly off the platform. By night, fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the waves and a natural aquarium around your bed. Amazinf floating stay
Practical Information
Book Here:
Location: Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania- Price: Premium luxury, often $1,500+ per night
- Access: Boat transfer from The Manta Resort on Pemba Island
- Best For: Honeymooners, ocean lovers, and travelers seeking privacy and exclusivity
Location: Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Price: Premium luxury, often $1,500+ per night
Access: Boat transfer from The Manta Resort on Pemba Island
Best For: Honeymooners, ocean lovers, and travelers seeking privacy and exclusivity2. Salt & Sill Floating Hotel (Klädesholmen, Sweden)
In the serene Bohuslän archipelago of Sweden lies Salt & Sill, Scandinavia’s first floating hotel. Built on pontoons in a picturesque harbor, it combines sleek Scandinavian design with a stunning natural setting.
What Makes It Unique
- The entire hotel floats on the sea, offering modern rooms with direct waterfront access.
- The highlight is the floating sauna catamaran, which sails guests out into the archipelago for a traditional sauna experience and cold-water plunge.
- Sustainable design: the hotel emphasizes eco-friendly construction and locally sourced cuisine.
The Experience
Wake up to the gentle sound of waves, enjoy a Nordic breakfast, and then head out to explore the archipelago by kayak or boat. Evenings are for indulging in fresh seafood at the hotel’s renowned restaurant, where herring dishes take center stage. After dinner, retreat to your deck to watch the sunset paint the sky over the water. Amazing Floating Stays
Book Here:
Practical Information
- Location: Klädesholmen Island, west coast of Sweden
- Price: Mid-range luxury, approx. $200–$300 per night
- Best For: Couples seeking Scandinavian design and food lovers wanting a taste of the sea
- Access: 1.5-hour drive from Gothenburg
Best For: Couples seeking Scandinavian design and food lovers wanting a taste of the sea
Access: 1.5-hour drive from Gothenburg3. Arctic Bath (Harads, Sweden)
If floating stays usually bring to mind tropical waters, Arctic Bath shatters that image. Located on the Lule River in Swedish Lapland, this extraordinary retreat floats in summer and freezes into the ice in winter.
What Makes It Unique
- The circular structure, designed to resemble driftwood gathered on the river, houses spa facilities, saunas, and plunge pools.
- Guest cabins, some floating, some on shore, offer minimalist Nordic design and large glass windows framing the wilderness.
- The central feature is the open-air ice bath, surrounded by wooden decks and saunas – an exhilarating wellness ritual.
The Experience
In summer, the midnight sun reflects off the river, creating endless golden hours. Guests kayak, hike, and enjoy wild-foraged meals. In winter, the lodge becomes a frozen wonderland under the northern lights. Imagine soaking in a hot tub as the aurora dances overhead. Amazing floating stays
Book Here:
Practical Information
- Location: Harads, Swedish Lapland
- Price: Luxury wellness, approx. $500–$800 per night
- Best For: Wellness seekers, Arctic adventurers, and Northern Lights hunters
- Access: Fly into Luleå Airport, then a 1.5-hour transfer
Best For: Wellness seekers, Arctic adventurers, and Northern Lights hunters
Access: Fly into Luleå Airport, then a 1.5-hour transfer4. The FloatHouse River Kwai (Kanchanaburi, Thailand)
Hidden in the jungle along the famous River Kwai, The FloatHouse River Kwai Resort is an eco-luxury gem. Each villa floating stay directly on the river, blending traditional Thai architecture with natural surroundings.
What Makes It Unique
- Floating villas with private decks, handcrafted teak furniture, and thatched roofs.
- Guests can literally jump into the river from their deck or take a longtail boat to explore nearby caves and waterfalls.
- Strong focus on sustainability and community engagement.
The Experience
Arriving by boat sets the tone – you’re entering another world. Days are filled with river swimming, kayaking, or visiting nearby historical sites such as the Hellfire Pass Memorial. Evenings mean Thai dinners under the stars and the lull of the flowing river as your soundtrack to sleep. Amazing Floating stays
Book Here:
Practical Information
- Location: Sai Yok, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand
- Price: Affordable luxury, approx. $150–$250 per night
- Best For: Adventure couples, eco-travelers, and cultural explorers
- Access: 3-hour train or car ride from Bangkok, followed by a short boat trip
Best For: Adventure couples, eco-travelers, and cultural explorers
Access: 3-hour train or car ride from Bangkok, followed by a short boat trip5. 4 Rivers Floating Lodge (Koh Kong, Cambodia)
Deep in the unspoiled jungles of Cambodia lies the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge, a collection of safari-style tents built on floating platforms along the Tatai River. It’s a unique blend of luxury camping and eco-adventure. Amazing floating stays
What Makes It Unique
- Spacious floating tents with private terraces, modern bathrooms, and panoramic river views.
- Access only by boat – total seclusion in pristine rainforest.
- Activities include kayaking through mangroves, jungle trekking, and visiting waterfalls.
The Experience
Here, the river is your playground. Paddle silently through mangrove forests, swim directly from your terrace, and fall asleep to jungle sounds. Sustainability is at the core: the lodge works with local communities and uses renewable energy.
Practical Information
Book Here
- Location: Koh Kong Province, Cambodia
- Price: Mid-range, approx. $200–$300 per night
- Best For: Eco-lovers, adventurous families, and off-the-beaten-path travelers
- Access: 4-hour drive from Phnom Penh + boat transfer
Best For: Eco-lovers, adventurous families, and off-the-beaten-path travelersWhy Floating Stays Are Worth the Journey
Floating stay accommodations are not just places to sleep – they are experiences that reconnect you with nature. Each of these stays brings something different: the underwater mystery of Zanzibar, the Arctic’s wellness rituals, the serenity of Southeast Asia’s rivers, or the design-forward innovation of Scandinavia.
They also represent the growing trend of eco-conscious travel, proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist. Amazing floating stays
Suggested Itinerary: Around the World in Floating Stays
If you wanted to turn these experiences into a dream journey, here’s how you might do it:
- Start in Zanzibar with the underwater room for pure escapism.
- Head to Asia for cultural immersion at the FloatHouse River Kwai and 4 Rivers Lodge.
- Finish in Scandinavia with design and wellness at Salt & Sill and Arctic Bath.
Such a journey would take you across oceans and continents, but each stop would provide a once-in-a-lifetime story.
Tours & Excursions
Zanzibar
Thai River
Northern light tours Lapland
Conclusion
Floating stays are rare, unforgettable, and deeply rewarding. Whether you’re drawn to the luxury of an underwater suite, the tranquility of a river eco-lodge, or the adventure of an Arctic spa, these five destinations prove that the world still has surprises in store.
If you’re building your travel bucket list, these unique floating stays deserve a place right at the top.
Other Blogs
