A Unique Stay in South Korea: The World’s Longest Bed
For those who find it difficult to leave their bed in the morning, a hotel in South Korea has taken the concept of a lie-in to an extreme. RYSE, Autograph Collection, a Marriott franchise located in Seoul’s Hongdae district, is known for its modern and creative design. The hotel reflects its vibrant surroundings with open-plan rooms, curated artwork, and glossy pink flooring in its lobby.
One of the most eye-catching features of the hotel is the Curator Suite 1503. This 785-square-foot suite offers all the amenities expected from a luxury stay, including a sleek bathroom with a rain shower, smart TV, water purifier, and fresh bathrobes. It also includes Korean-inspired extras such as a Somac set. However, one feature that guests are unlikely to find elsewhere is a bed so long it has been described as the world’s longest.
The bed, named ‘BED 2525’, was created in collaboration with Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF. This giant installation stretches across almost the entire room, measuring around 20 feet in length. It extends past two sets of windows, the coffee station, dining area, and bathroom before finally ending near the suite’s exit door. Although guests can stay in the suite like any other room at the hotel, the bed itself is a futuristic art piece designed to explore the trajectory of human size while challenging traditional ideas surrounding furniture and space.
The central concept of the suite, titled ‘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 as well. In addition to the specialist construction required to fit the lengthy installation, 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. Notable stars like Kanye West have been seen wearing these boots.
For those interested in staying in this one-of-a-kind suite, bookings can only be made by contacting the hotel directly.
Glamping in Scotland: A Unique Stay in Converted Buses
Closer to home, another unique accommodation option allows guests to experience high-end glamping inside creatively repurposed vehicles. At The Bus Stop, located in East Lothian, Scotland, visitors can ‘unplug naturally’ at any of nine fully converted single and double-decker buses. These offer 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. They say the location is so secluded that 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, complete with burning indoor stoves, fairy lights, and solar panels. The main grounds feature three luxury buses, each different in size and design, allowing guests to 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.
