From skydiving to ziplining: 8 unique hotel arrivals around the world

Jul 27, 2023

By Ria Gupta

A vacation should begin from the moment you land, right? At a few hotels, resorts and lodges around the world, hotel arrivals go beyond the mundane check-in formalities to offer a slice of immersive travel right from the get-go. From paragliding into acres of greenery to scuba diving into the sea, here are the eight quirkiest hotel arrivals that make for a truly unforgettable experience.

Zipline into Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

You can call it an ordinary day and reach your lodging by road or a private helicopter. Or you can join the band of people who visit this Bill Bensley property (website) for a tryst with the wild. The adventure can begin right on arrival if you opt for the 400m-long zipline, 21m above the ground, with a bird’s-eye view of a forest canopy. A short walk over a swing bridge leads to the second leg of the journey—a 20m line over the river and past The Raging Sisters waterfalls that leads straight to the Landing Zone Bar. This is where butlers await you with a refreshing drink to cool you down, while porters have already arrived with your luggage by jeep. The resort is open to children above 10 years of age and offers this experience upon their parents’ consent.

Do note: There’s a weight limit of 110kg for the experience, and guests are advised to wear appropriate clothing such as trousers or shorts and trainers as opposed to dresses and heels.

Walk through the sky to reach Four Seasons Resort Bali, Indonesia

Through a sky-bridge cutting across the expansive valley is how guests can arrive in style at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (website). The walk, flanked by mountains and forests, looks down to fields of red palms, frangipani trees, bougainvillaea and wheat crops. The Ayung River flows in close distance, and terraced fields dotted with temples line the landscape. When transferring from Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, an exciting alternative to navigating through the island’s traffic is a two-hour river rafting escapade. The experience takes guests down the river on Grade II and III rapids, with stunning jungle views along the way.

Do note: Bookings for the rafting transfer are open till 2pm every day.

Trek down to a slate mine to visit Deep Sleep, Wales

How do you reach the deepest located hotel bed on Earth? An abandoned Victorian slate mine, 1,375ft below the mountains of Snowdonia National Park in Wales, houses the deepest underground accommodation on the planet. To reach the spot is an adventure in itself—guests (aged 14 and above) need to take a 45-minute steep trek into the mountains from Tanygrisiau Base, near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Upon reaching the point of entry, they begin a descent to Deep Sleep by Go Beyond (website), armed with a helmet, headtorch, harness and Wellington boots, through stairways and decaying bridges frequented by ancient miners. A trek leader shows the way, sharing trivia about the mine and its history, until guests arrive at a steel door that opens to the underground lodge.

Do note: An overnight backpack is enough for the stay and also recommended for the trek down.

Scuba dive to Jules’ Undersea Lodge, United States

Sitting approximately 22ft under the water’s surface in Key Largo, Florida, Jules’ Undersea Lodge (website) is probably the world’s only hotel that’s entirely under water. This means that guests need to zip up their diving suits to visit the two-room property, swimming past fishes and corals. The team offers a scuba-diving session before the descent, preparing guests for details like the change in pressure, which can sometimes make their ears pop midway.

Do note: Once inside, all luggage, electronics and even meals follow in waterproof and pressure-proof containers custom-made for the property’s unique needs.

River raft to Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica

“There are no roads to Pacuare Lodge, so we use the river,” says the official website of this water-turbine-powered ecolodge. The property (website) stands hidden from civilisation in the impenetrable forests of Costa Rica and is best reached by rafting through the Grade IV rapids of the Pacuare River. Guests get to zoom past emerald cliffs, dip into hidden pools and bathe under waterfalls under the supervision of professional rafters. The drenched arrival is the perfect trailer to the adventures that awaits at the property. There’s a road with hairpin turns and gravel paths, as well, but rafting or helicopter rides are the best ways to avoid the over-two-hour bumpy drive.

Do note: While the lodge is open to guests above seven years of age, you have to be at least 12 to go rafting.

Paraglide into Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman

When guests book a stay at Six Senses Zighy Bay (website), a private transfer from the airport takes them to a launchpad on Zighy Mountain, some 300m above sea level. They then take off on a tandem paragliding session over the splendid Musandam Bay, with the Gulf of Oman, Al Hajar Mountains and surrounding villages visible in the distance. The trip lands them straight on the sands of Zighy Beach, where the hotel stands. Special harnesses are available for children as young as two, so all you need is the courage of your heart.

Do note: The experience is subject to slot availability between 11am and 2pm, and costs 95 Omani Rials (Rs20,400). So we recommend checking with the property as you finalise your booking.

Arrive in a chariot at Taj Falaknuma Palace, India

True to Taj’s exceptional hospitality, this palatial property in Hyderabad (website) welcomes guests like royals. No cars go beyond the main gates of the property, which sits atop a hill overlooking the city. That’s where guests board a horse-drawn chariot, which then takes them through the hotel grounds to the main lobby. Ushers of what is called the Royal Guard await with rose petal showers, to be showered as they ascend the grand staircase. This is followed by sprinkling of rose water as guests receive a freshly-made jasmine hand corsage. It’s a royal welcome, indeed.

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