Euronews Travel takes a look at some of Europe’s most unique repurposed hotels, offering travellers the chance to stay in cranes and former cable car stations, among others.
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As the global shift towards an experiential economy gathers pace, more European travellers are looking for unique or extreme stay experiences.
The rise of social media has also supported the demand for more shareable moments, which offbeat repurposed hotels, especially those which are architecturally or historically unique, can offer.
Some of these hotels also give travellers the chance to immerse themselves more fully in local culture and traditions.
“Today’s travellers- regardless of generation- are looking for meaningful experiences where they feel seen, understood and valued,” Daniel Charbonnier, co-founder of Null Stern and Zero Real Estate, tells Euronews Travel.
But which quirky European hotels should be on your must-stay list?
Reflect under the stars at Zero Real Estate, Switzerland
The Zero Real Estate brand, a spin-off version of the Null Stern Hotel or “Zero Star Hotel”, is a Swiss art concept featuring an open-air double bed with no ceiling or walls. It aims to encourage guests to reflect on global issues and social changes.
“The original Null Stern Hotel was in a nuclear bunker, underground with no view. The brand “Null Stern – the only star is you” encapsulates the essence of the concept: the star is not the hotel but each guest and his/her experience,” Charbonnier says.
“This new version, Zero Real Estate, keeps the same essence, but this time we got rid of all the walls and the only thing left is you and your experience.”
These open-air ‘rooms’ are located across Switzerland, including in Gonten, Valais and Safiental.
As the hotel is mainly intended for reflection, not luxury, comfort or even sleep, the amenities are relatively basic compared to traditional hotels.
Along with a double bed, side tables and lamps, travellers have a personal butler for drinks and breakfast and can use nearby public bathrooms.
“We believe the interest goes beyond architecture or quirkiness. Our guests aren’t just looking for novelty, they’re seeking emotional connection, authenticity, and presence,” Charbonnier says.
“The Modern Butler, a local community member trained to offer professional yet deeply human service, embodies this shift. The role combines empathy with service excellence, offering guests a personal anchor in a deliberately minimal setting.”
This setup allows visitors to connect more deeply with nature as well, with unmatched views of clear night skies and the picturesque Swiss landscape.
While some rooms are located in serene Alpine meadows, others are “anti-idyllic” spots, such as near petrol stations, to prompt deeper reflections about rising prices and other social issues.
“The tangible has become expected- what now differentiates is the intangible: how a place makes you feel, how connected you are to the environment, and how much you are empowered to shape your own experience,” Charbonnier explains.
Rooms are usually available from spring to autumn, depending on weather conditions, with an Alpine hut typically located close by in case of sudden bad weather.
“When you strip everything away- walls, amenities, distractions- you’re left with the essentials. And when there’s nowhere to hide, every detail counts,” Charbonnier said.
Stay in a repurposed jet at Apple Camping, Wales
Apple Camping, in Pembrokeshire, Wales, offers an offbeat glamping experience with a number of repurposed accommodation options, such as a shipping container and a railway carriage.
One of its most iconic experiences is its private jet stay. This quirky structure was reclaimed from an aircraft scrapyard and has a colourful past.
“It originally belonged to Howard Hughes, the famously eccentric billionaire, before passing through several hands, eventually ending up linked to organised crime groups. Needless to say, it has character,” Jake McCarthy, founder of Apple Camping, says.
“A night in a converted private jet is something you remember, it’s a conversation starter, a standout photo, and a once-in-a-lifetime memory.”
The jet, which dates back to the 1970s, has been repurposed to reflect sleek modern luxury, with electric lights and heating, as well as a radio and Bluetooth-compatible CD player.
The cockpit has been transformed into a gaming room, complete with flight-themed games and an Xbox, which you can play while sitting in the original pilot and co-pilot seats.
The main cabin has a cosy sofa and six leather seats with walnut-inlaid dropdown tables. The plane also features a lit-up bar, complete with padded leather upholstery and retro 70s mirrors.
In the dedicated bedroom, guests can enjoy a good night’s rest in a king-sized bed, with a single bed for children and a leather sofa bed also available.
The jet includes a toilet and sink; however, shower blocks offering hot showers are located close by as well.
Commenting on the rising demand for repurposed accommodation, McCarthy notes: “There’s a real movement toward ‘meaningful novelty.’ It’s not just about being quirky for the sake of it, but giving new life to objects or spaces that would otherwise go to waste like planes, trains, submarines, even old silos or shipping containers.
“There’s also a strong trend toward combining nature with the unexpected — people want both a sense of escape and something to write home about.”
Repurposing the jet was not without its challenges. Transport alone required significant planning and manoeuvring.
“Then there’s the challenge of fitting plumbing, electricity, heating and insulation into something never designed to be lived in,” McCarthy explains.
“You have to preserve the character, tell the story, and still offer a warm, clean, functional space for guests. The red tape isn’t always straightforward either- planners don’t tend to have a form ready for ‘vintage plane turned glamping pod.’”
Hotel Chetzeron, Switzerland
Hotel Chetzeron, in Switzerland’s Crans-Montana, is a converted cable car station, perched at 2,112 meters. It offers panoramic views of the Rhone Valley, as well as Mont-Blanc and the Matterhorn.
“The idea of transforming the former cable car station into a hotel and renovating its old but history-rich restaurant came to our founder, Sami Lamaa, in 2003,” Serena Peyronnet, marketing manager at Hotel Chetzeron, says.
“Throughout 2003 and early 2004, he developed his business plan with a clear vision: to create a sleek, contemporary establishment designed for 21st-century travelers, guests who have seen the world, experienced countless destinations, and now seek something truly unique and extraordinary.”
The hotel offers a refined, timeless design, while still capturing the warm, welcoming feel of a mountain cabin. With only 16 rooms, it has an intimate, minimalistic vibe, with prime ski-in/ski-out access in winter and lush, wildflower-covered alpine meadows in summer.
Guests can soak in the year-round heated outdoor pool, which offers stunning views, or try out the hammam or sauna at the spa, before indulging in gourmet dining celebrating fresh, local ingredients.
The hotel also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, with solar panels and other eco-friendly technologies. Local, sustainably sourced materials are used in both construction and furnishings, supporting the regional economy.
“There is a strong movement toward sustainability and adaptive reuse. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, hotels are giving old structures a new life- whether it’s former factories, train stations, or, in our case, a cable car station,” Peyronnet says.
“Guests increasingly appreciate concepts that reduce environmental impact while offering originality and authenticity. Another major trend is blending architecture with nature, creating spaces that allow the surroundings to be the main attraction – through panoramic windows, minimalist interiors, and locally sourced materials.”
However, turning an industrial cable car station into a luxury hotel at high altitude is no easy task. Construction took place under harsh winter conditions, which included freezing temperatures, heavy snow and limited accessibility.
Facades required insulation, walls needed seismic reinforcements and new terraces and large windows had to be added, all while preserving the original building’s character.
YAYS Amsterdam The Crane by Numa Stays
YAYS Amsterdam The Crane, by Numa Stays, is one of Europe’s more extreme accommodation experiences, giving travellers the chance to spend a night in a repurposed crane.
Originally built in 1957, this harbour crane has been carefully renovated into a luxury apartment, featuring chic, modern interiors designed by the renowned Dutch designer Edward van Vliet.
Guests can enjoy the luxurious bathtub and breathtaking views of the IJ River, along with quirky features, such as a preserved time capsule offering a glimpse into the crane’s past.
With air conditioning, a private bathroom, TV, dishwasher, coffee machine and a balcony, the hotel seamlessly blends modern amenities with historical significance.
The YAYS Insiders concierge service also offers personalised recommendations on what to see and do in the city.
Barabas Hotel, Lucerne, Switzerland
The Barabas Hotel Lucerne, or Barabas Prison Hotel, is a 135-year-old building in the heart of Lucerne’s Old Town, which functioned as the city’s central prison until its closure in the late 1990s.
“Today, guests can spend the night within the same walls, though in far greater comfort than the former inmates ever experienced. Our concept blends the authentic prison architecture - barred doors, heavy walls, narrow windows - with modern hospitality and contemporary comfort.” Jeaninne, a manager at Hotel Barabas Lucerne, says.
The hotel is named after the artist Hugo Siegrist, who painted a unique mural in one of the cells during his imprisonment in 1975 and signed it with his pseudonym “Barabas”. This mural is preserved to this day and now features prominently in the common room.
“A night at Barabas is not a typical hotel stay, but a story worth sharing,” Jeaninne points out.
“The prison atmosphere makes the experience authentic and memorable, while also reflecting sustainable reuse: instead of demolishing an old building, it is brought back to life with a new purpose. Guests also appreciate the cultural dimension- a historic site preserved and reimagined.”
The hotel offers 60 different prison cells, including single, double and family rooms with private bathrooms as well as multibed rooms with shared bathrooms. Bookworms will love the library, which features an array of crime novels and can also be booked as a hotel room. The hotel also has Wi-Fi and a souvenir shop.
For an additional €12, guests can enjoy a local breakfast spread, including regional cheese, homemade muesli and coffee.
Feast on traditional Japanese delicacies in the in-house Japanese izakaya restaurant Nozomi, which serves smaller dishes in the evening and bento boxes at lunch. Three new Japanese-style hotel rooms are also available above the restaurant.
As with other repurposed accommodations, restoring the prison was a complex process.
“Strict heritage protection regulations must be respected, and integrating modern infrastructure like private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, or fire safety systems into thick prison walls is highly demanding,” Jeaninne explained.
“Conceptually, it also requires balance: the prison’s atmosphere should remain tangible, while ensuring guests enjoy a comfortable and welcoming stay.”
