9 Extraordinary Floating Hotels Around the World
Imagine waking to waves gently lapping at your window, enjoying rooftop meals with stunning vistas, and accessing spa treatments by boat alone. For your next escape, don't just visit the water—stay upon it.
From Udaipur's royal palace to Portsmouth's renovated fortress, Thailand's jungle rafts, and Swedish fjord baths, these nine exceptional floating hotels craft dream vacations and social media magic. Embark on these global floating wonders for an unforgettable stay.
Good Hotel - London, U.K.
Good Hotel earns its name through superior hospitality and community impact. Originally launched in Amsterdam, it relocated to London's Royal Victoria Docks in October 2016 after a five-year stint there. Designed by Dutch art director Remko Verhaagen and lead designer Sikko Valk, it blends industrial chic with meticulous details for modern travelers. Committed to “premium hospitality with a cause,” it runs the Good Training program, employing and training locals with long-term unemployment before aiding community job placement. It prioritizes local materials, labor, and donates online booking proceeds to NGO Niños de Guatemala. Enjoy seasonal rooftop views of London, the Living Room bar and restaurant, and free Wi-Fi workspaces.
OFF Paris Seine - Paris, France
Docked near Austerlitz station between Pont Charles de Gaulle and Pont d’Austerlitz, OFF Paris Seine graces the Seine as the city's “21st District.” Paris's pioneering floating hotel and bar offers 54 rooms with dock or river views, plus four suites—two by Maurizio Galante and Tal Lancman. Highlights include an open-air rear deck, plunge pool, bar, kitchen, and marina. It attracts trendy locals with weekend brunches and Thursday-to-Saturday parties.
River Kwai Jungle Rafts - Sai Yok, Thailand
Venture into Kanchanaburi's jungle along the Kwai Noi River to this eco-lodge. A seven-minute long-tail boat from Phutakien Pier reveals rooms with private baths, bamboo decks, sun beds, hammocks, and meals. Embracing sustainability without electricity—using kerosene lamps—it immerses guests authentically. Savor Thai and Mon cuisine at the floating restaurant and bar. Activities: boat rides, canoeing, bamboo rafting, river jumps, Mon Dance Shows, raft massages, and jungle treks.
Salt & Sill - Klädesholmen, Sweden
Rooted in 1999's acclaimed dockside restaurant in fishing village Klädesholmen, Salt & Sill celebrates local seafood like the Sillplankan herring plate. In 2008, owners Susanna and Patrick Hermansson launched the floating hotel nearby. Its two-story units offer 46 beds year-round, free Wi-Fi, and conference spaces—ideal for individuals or groups.
Solent Forts - Portsmouth, U.K.
Reached by boat or helicopter, these 1860s forts off Portsmouth served through both World Wars before rebirth as hotel, events, and museum. Horse Sand Fort preserves history for tours; Spitbank Fort hosts events with eight suites, restaurant, penthouse bar, wine cave, courtyard, and terrace. No Man's Fort, opened 2015, features 23 ocean-view rooms/suites, five bars, dining, cabaret, Hot House fire pit, Fort Wars laser tag, and rooftop hot tubs.
Sunborn - Gibraltar
This superyacht in Ocean Village Marina delivers five-star luxury over seven floors. Guests enjoy a casino, Sky Restaurant dinners, Rock views from the outdoor pool, and easy access to Gibraltar's Mediterranean allure.
Taj Lake Palace - Udaipur, India
Built in 1746 as Maharaja Jagat Singh II's pleasure palace on Lake Pichola, this icon reopened as a hotel in 1963. Restored elegance shines in tiled floors, Bombay linens, and pillow menus. Boat arrivals usher five-star service: 24-hour dining, laundry, butlers. Amenities: off-palace spa boat, four dining venues including rooftop over the lake. Featured in Octopussy and The Crown, it's world-renowned.
The Queen Mary - Long Beach, California
This nautical icon in Long Beach Harbor began as a 1936 luxury liner hosting Bob Hope, Clark Gable, and Winston Churchill. WWII troopship service followed, then postwar cruises until 1967. Now a preserved art deco hotel, attraction, and venue with festivals and pop-ups honoring its legacy.
Arctic Bath - Luleå, Sweden (Opened 2022)
From Treehotel creators, Arctic Bath is a circular floating hotel and cold bath on the Lule River near Hedavan. Honoring timber shipping traditions, its wood facade features logs. Opened in 2022, the six-room retreat includes a spa and restaurant for guests, conferences, events, and parties—transforming seasonally in Sweden's fjords.
