In a world full of Disney and Vegas, themed hotels have been around for decades, but these five themed experiences go far above and beyond the norm to transport guests into a magical world once reserved for the imagination.
Disney World Galactic Starcruiser Hotel, Florida
For all you Star Wars die-hards with deep pockets, Disney World’s brand new Galactic Starcruiser hotel experience will satisfy your childhood fantasies of fighting the First Order alongside the most famous Wookie in the galaxy. The Galactic Starcruiser is so much more than just a hotel because passengers aboard the ship are immersed in a two-day live-action adventure, where every interaction with the cast will inform your next mission. Whether you decide to help, hinder, or simply speculate on events, characters will track and communicate what you can do next through your personalized datapad, making for a truly custom choose-your-own-adventure experience. You’ll be free to roam the ship, catch a show in the lounge, play galactic games, eavesdrop on stormtroopers, or ask your personal in-cabin droid what’s for dinner, while a familiar battle of the forces unfolds before your eyes.
Clocking in at a steep starting price of around $1200 per night per guest, your stay includes all meals and drinks (except alcohol), and back entrance access and full-day admission to Batuu, Hollywood Studio’s Star Wars theme park (with express passes to both Star Wars rides).
Hard Days Night, Liverpool
A Liverpool pilgrimage of the most famous rock band in the world can only be complete with a stay at Hard Days Night, the first and only Beatles-themed hotel in the world. Located a stone’s throw from the infamous Mathew street in the center of the iconic city, you’ll be surrounded by all Beatles all the time, from the lobby to the lounge to the walls of the quaint winding staircase leading up to your room. Stepping inside the ultramodern suites, guests are greeted with the sounds of the hotel namesake over the television speakers and wake under the watchful eyes of unique Fab Four artwork. After enjoying the extensive complimentary full English breakfast buffet (you’ll be stuffed!), all of Liverpool’s best excursions are along the pier just a short walk away, inviting you to soak in a chronological history at The Beatles Museum, take in a culture-filled walking tour, or ride along Penny Lane (if you’re lucky, in the rain) past the lads’ childhood homes on the Magical Mystery Tour bus trip. Of course, you’ll want to cap the night off at the landmark Cavern Club for a live show by a Beatles cover band so convincing you’ll believe you’re witnessing history unfold in 1960.
The Outlaw, California
If you’ve always dreamed of a luxury vacation in your own private ghost town in the desert (ok, that’s super specific but stay with me here), your dreams will come true at The Outlaw in Pioneertown, California (seen in the lead photo). This western-themed multi-structure compound was featured in season 2 of Netflix’s Amazing Vacation Rentals, and for good reason: situated on 17 secluded acres just 20 minutes west of Joshua Tree, up to 16 guests can enjoy the modern luxuries of 5-star accommodation while satisfying your inner cowboy. In addition to the main 3000 square foot 2 bedroom home, there are 2 casitas and a fully converted train car each housing an additional one-bedroom suite for a total of 5 beds and baths, plus your very own fully functional, fully private saloon perfect for staging a classic standoff. There are many outdoor amenities to enjoy while taking in the vast desert views, including an outdoor shower, firepits, BBQ area, hammocks, a hot tub, a cowboy tub (which is a hot tub, but cold), and a classic western chapel. This extraordinary property is advertised as a great spot for weddings, events, and film or photoshoots, and will run you anywhere from $1500-3700 per night depending on the season and party size.
The Georgian House, London UK
It’s no secret that most of us in the western world think “Hogwarts” when we see any type of medieval British architecture, but the Georgian House in London England has embraced our fascination with all things wizard so much so that it’s the first search results for “Hogwarts hotel”. This nearly 200-year-old guest house has transformed a section of the building into a Harry Potter-esque fantasyland, where you can book a “Wizard Experience” – heck, even their website cursor is wand – and be spellbound as you enter the lower candlelit passageway to your secret chambers hidden behind a bookcase! Surrounded by cauldrons, trunks, and tapestries, each room is unique in its décor of hand-curated artifacts that may or may not have magical properties – only a sorcerer would know. The Georgian House wizard rooms run from $400-650 per night and are located in posh west London just south of Buckingham Palace, and about a 45-minute drive to the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tours in Watford, UK.
The Great Escape Lakeside, Florida
This vacation rental in Florida is so out of this world it ought to go down in history – and it has. The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes The Great Escape for the simple fact that this 13 bedroom estate is one giant homage to every kind of game you can think of, from video games to casino games to board games and game shows. Up to 43 big kids and little kids alike can live out fantasies of being a guest on the Price is Right, weave through a laser maze like a bond spy, be an actual human bowling ball, a human fooseball, a human pool cue, or just a human with any and every sport and childhood game at your fingertips. Each bedroom is fully decked out to an individual game theme such as the Pac Man room, the Monopoly room, the Scrabble room, or the Las Vegas room (with fully functional slot machines), and there are arcade games and (mostly giant versions of) board games like chess and Connect Four everywhere you turn. Situated on 10 acres of lakefront and including a pool with its very own lazy river, the list of amenities of this game lover’s wonderland is far too long to list. And the wildest part of The Great Escape is you can rent this entire home for both small and large parties for under $2,000 per night.
Photo Credits:
Lead – Pioneertown – inkknife_2000 via Wikimedia License Share-Alike 2.0 Generic
Disney World Galactic Starcruiser Hotel – Disney press photo
Hard Days Night Hotel – Jen Hunter via Wikimedia License Creative Commons 2.0 Generic
The Outlaw Pioneer Town – Matthew Field via Wikipedia License Share-Alike 3.0 Unported
The Georgian House – hotels.com
The Great Escape Lakeside – The Great Escape Lakeside photos
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