For anyone who has ever struggled to leave the comfort of their bed in the morning, one South Korean hotel has taken the idea of a lie-in to the extreme by installing an enormous bed that stretches almost the entire length of its Curator Suite.
RYSE, Autograph Collection, a Marriott franchise set in Seoul's creative Hongdae district, is a state-of-the-art hotel that reflects its hip surroundings with modern open-plan rooms, curated artwork and glossy pink flooring in its lobby. Quirky details can be found throughout the hotel, but nothing catches the eye quite like the unusual furniture inside Curator Suite 1503.
The 785-square-foot suite comes with all the amenities expected from a luxury stay, including a sleek bathroom with a rain shower, smart TV, water purifier and fresh bathrobes, alongside Korean-inspired extras such as a Somac set. But one feature guests are unlikely to come across anywhere else is a bed so long it has been described as the world's longest.
Created in collaboration with Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF, the suite is home to 'BED 2525' - a giant installation that stretches across almost the entire room. Measuring around 20 feet in length, the oversized bed extends past two sets of windows, the coffee station, dining area and bathroom before finally ending near the suite's exit door.
Although guests are able to stay in the suite like any other room at the hotel, the bed itself is actually a futuristic art piece designed to explore the trajectory of human size while challenging traditional ideas surrounding furniture and space. The suite's central concept, named 'Long Bed for Long Sleep in the Far Future', imagines a bizarre future where giants once again walk the earth. According to the hotel, MSCHF's concept suggests that as humans continue to evolve and grow, the need for larger beds could eventually grow, too.
As well as specialist construction required to fit the lengthy installation - large enough to comfortably sleep an entire family - the room also features a selection of MSCHF art and design pieces. These include works from the Animorphs series, Damien Hirst Spot paintings, and the viral hyperrealistic 'Big Red Boots', inspired by the cartoonishly oversized shoes worn by the main character in Astro Boy, sported by notable stars like Kanye West.
For those who are looking to stay in the one-of-a-kind suite, bookings can only be made by contacting the hotel directly, as reported by Uniq Hotels. At RYSE, Autograph Collection in Seoul, guests are treated to state-of-the-art interior with a creative twist; glossy pink flooring lines the lobby, while rooms and suites feature curated artwork.
Closer to home is another unique stay that lets guests experience high-end glamping inside a creatively repurposed vehicle. At The Bus Stop, based in East Lothian, Scotland, visitors can 'unplug naturally' at any of nine fully converted single and double-decker buses, which include self-catered stays ranging from rustic glamping to high-end luxury. The unusual hideaway is one of three global accommodations featured in Episode 6 of Channel 4's World's Most Secret Hotels, set to air tomorrow night at 8pm.
Based on a working farm near the village of Gifford, The Bus Stop is run by husband-wife team Sioned Lloyd Stewart and Alexander Wilson Stewart - who say the location is so secluded, even locals are unaware it exists. Sioned said: 'From the roadside, you can't see anything at all...you wouldn't have been able to walk past and see a bus unless somebody has told you. You wouldn't know it's here.' Alexander laughs as he adds: 'We've actually had lots of people phoning us up thinking it is actually a stop where a bus comes to pick up people - some even ask me what the timetable is!'
Set across nearly 200 acres, six single-deck buses offer an 'off-grid' experience in their own private area, with burning indoor stoves, fairy lights and solar panels, while the main grounds feature three luxury buses. Each bus is different in size and design, meaning guests can stay nine times and have a completely bespoke experience. Guests are handed a map and key at check-in, then navigate the wooded paths and past fields with alpacas and goats to locate their room. All family members are welcomed at the dog-friendly site, which boasts plenty of open green spaces, walking routes and a relaxed atmosphere.
