Travel

Would you use a toilet cubicle beneath a mirrored ceiling? It’s a question the designers of a bathroom pictured here obviously hadn’t considered posing. Their daft design joins several others in a hall of shame that also includes a poster promising ‘service with a smile’ next to an extremely serious looking man, a door with a large panel of clear glass that’s had a security peephole fitted to it and a sign maker who urgently needs some schooling in the use of the possessive apostrophe. All of the pictures have been causing considerable hilarity among internet users the world over. So they succeeded in one area – they got everyone’s attention. Here MailOnline Travel presents them in all their face-palm-inducing glory.

California's breath-taking Big Sur coastal drive has long been regarded as one of the essential bucket-list trips for many travellers. But a detour is a must, says Louise Saunders - specifically to an exclusive cliff-top hotel high above the redwood forests and winding roads and spectacular vistas that's so luxurious it offers a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that feels as though it has come straight out of a movie. Post Ranch Inn (pictured) is set in the heart of Big Sur, 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean and a 26-mile drive south of Carmel, with jaw-dropping views over one of the world's most dramatic and beautiful coastlines.

NYC is unforgivably expensive for hotel stays. But there's a new kid on the block called Moxy Times Square, which offers stylish rooms in the world's greatest city for less than $100. It also contains trendy restaurants, a rooftop bar (top left) and tech-savvy check-in (bottom left). Peter Lloyd fell in love with the shamelessly rock-n-roll - and playful (bottom right) - hotel.

Research by currency exchange experts FairFX shows that for every £1,000 exchanged, Brits get £662 more in Argentina compared to five years ago, making it a bargain destination for British holidaymakers. While another bargain travel destination is Argentina's South American neighbour Brazil, with those heading for a view of Christ the Redeemer seeing their pound going 31 per cent further than in 2012. Other places making the 2018 list include Norway and Papua New Guinea.

A hotel bedroom being large is normally a selling point. But travellers are flocking to one hotel in Shoubak, Jordan, precisely because its one and only room is absolutely tiny. So diminutive, in fact, that its owner, Mohammed Al-Malahim, claims that it’s the smallest hotel in the world. Officially it’s actually the Eh'hausl hotel in Amberg, Germany, but Al-Malahim is certainly right in pointing out that his accommodation is very little. It's also extremely quirky, because the hotel is in fact a stripped out old Volkswagen Beetle, pictured, that rests on piles of stones.

The travel website, which now has more than half-a-billion online reviews, named London as its most reviewed city while the Hard Rock hotel in Punta Cana was the most reviewed hotel. This was in complete contrast to the African country of Eritrea, which was the least popular country on the review website. Elsewhere a specialist bakery in Lisbon called Pateis de Belem received over 10,000 comments from hungry travellers - more than any other eatery in the world.

It's time for some pillow talk. British Airways has just begun a brand new partnership with The White Company for its business class experience (called Club World in BA Land). The luxury high-street brand now provides all the bedding, plus a few other treats, for those who've splashed out for a flight in the posh end of the plane. The result? Perhaps the closest thing you'll ever get to your own bed at 38,000 feet, writes Peter Lloyd.

The latest version of Sweden's IceHotel has reopened for winter - and it is just as stunning as ever. Each year since 1989, the IceHotel has been built and rebuilt in the village of Jukkasjarvi, 200km north of the Arctic Circle and next to the shores of the Torne River. The latest is the 28th version. This year artists used 30,000 cubic metres of snice (snow and ice) to construct the property as well as 500 tonnes of crystal clear natural ice to create glasses and an ice bar.

Luxury Travel Intelligence (LTI), a members-only resource for affluent globetrotters, has ranked both The Dukes Dubai (top right) and Five Palm Jumeirah Dubai (bottom right) at the bottom of its new luxury hotel table. The Dukes was criticised for not living up to the elegance of its sister property in London while it said Five Palm Jumeirah had a 'shaky start'. Meanwhile another hotel in the same city - Bulgari Hotel & Resorts (main) - was named the best new launch in the world in 2017, with the travel website praising its 'private and understated nature'.

Sometimes it seems as if the airlines today are playing catch-up with the airlines of yesteryear. Carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qatar have all recently unveiled first-class and business-class suites featuring beds in compartments – but vintage pictures reveal that this kind of luxury was standard in the 1930s, and on flying boats no less. These incredible machines featured plush armchairs, dining rooms festooned with fine china, dressing rooms and separate bathrooms for men and women.

If you find big family Christmases a bit too much, then perhaps these jaw-dropping retreats in Devon and Cornwall, available to rent through Unique Home Stays, are the answer. They are still available and offer wonderfully stress-free environments - and they're luxurious and quirky, too. Among the luxurious boltholes still available to rent are a Narnia-esque cottage in Cornwall (top left and bottom left), a Second World War sentry post in Devon (bottom right) and a Cornish prairie wagaon (top right).

Incredible images have revealed the stunning cabin that could be built into the side of a cliff in Calgary. Spectacular shots show concepts of how the cabin would look with the bedroom situated lower than the rest of the home and huge windows allowing a panoramic view of the drop and countryside. Other striking pictures show the rest of the unique house with a modern kitchen and living area, while parts of the cliff would help form some of the outside walls.

Last week YouTube star Casey Neistat claimed that the new Emirates first-class suite was the best seat in the world. But aviation analyst Alex Macheras, from London, begs to differ. He flew on the Singapore Airlines A380 delivery flight from Airbus HQ in Toulouse, France, to Singapore Changi Airport, its new home – and has declared that its first-class suite is even better. The 20-year-old, pictured on the new plane, told MailOnline Travel: ‘This is the best first class in the skies today. It’s brand new, it’s huge and it’s better than the likes of Emirates’ because you get both a seat and a real bed.'

Iceland's Blue Lagoon (top left and bottom right) is a spa created from a nearby geothermal power plant that's now one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions. Kay Burley (inset) visited on a freezing November day. And she was pleasantly surprised that the shivers melted away as she eased herself into the 37C biothermal waters, which are said to do wonders for the skin. Pictured top right is the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik. Bottom left are the Northern Lights, which Kay managed to glimpse. 

Most holidaymakers - unless they're filthy rich and don't care - love a bargain flight. So they might be very interested to learn which popular destinations around the world have become cheaper than ever to fly to. A new study by Skyscanner has revealed the places that are increasing in popularity but have seen a drop in the average flight price from the UK - with some by as much as 40 per cent. From Cluj-Napoca in Romania to Hartford in Connecticut and Toulouse in France , these are 2018's bargain hotspots, listed in order of the smallest drop to the biggest.

National Geographic Traveller have come up with a list of the top nine places to jet off to for the perfect winter holiday whether it be searching for snow or finding sunnier climes. Making the list is Baja, California, top left, thanks to the stunning scenery, Vienna, top right due to the Christmas markets, the float markets of Vietnam, bottom left and the snowy mountains of Japan, bottom right. 

These dramatic pictures that have been snapped around the world form part of a eye-catching new book called Amazing Waves. It's aimed at surfers keen to learn how to ride them. It features over 80 snaps of waves and details exactly how they are formed, how they are forecast and what you can do to protect yourself from the big ones. Pictured are waves in Portleven, top left, Tahiti, top right, California, bottom left, and South Africa, bottom right.

Imogen Blake travelled to Wick and John O'Groats in the Highlands of Scotland for a weekend escape from it all and found that though less famous, Wick (top left, top right) has a lot more to offer tourists who venture this far north than the notorious signpost at John O'Groats (inset). From a boat tour of the rugged cliffs (bottom right) to a visit to one of the most northerly distilleries (bottom left), there's plenty to see.

The stunning house, top left, in the small town of Bandol is called the Villa on the Rocks and also boasts five bedrooms, three bathrooms and amazing views of the sea and surrounding vineyards. But its standout feature is the 91 foot pool, top right, that can't be viewed from both inside and outside the property, thanks to extra thick, aquarium-style windows and is illuminated at night, inset.

Colleges are often derided for their snowflake students. But, rather ironically, fallen leaves have become a reason to celebrate one U.S. university - after a member of staff turned them into art installations. Joanna Hedrick, a counselor at Sacramento State University Student Service Center, has become an internet sensation in recent weeks thanks to her seasonal creations. Her work includes honeycomb hives (top right), intricate mazes (top middle) and spirals (top left).

The super-rich like their superyachts to make a statement when they drop anchor - so the bigger the better. But which are the most ginormous? Boat International has all the answers, with its 101 biggest superyachts list. And it's just revealed that the competition in the size stakes is more fierce than ever this year, with 10 eye-popping additions to the rankings. Not only do they push the envelope in terms of dimensions, but they harbour an outrageous array of luxury features, from waterfalls to on-deck pizza ovens. Here are 2017's new entries, which include Jubilee (top left), Sailing Yacht A (top right), Areti (bottom right) and Black Pearl (bottom left).

It's a competitive industry with increasing demand. But, while many hoteliers strive to make customers happy, not all of them deliver. In fact, many fall spectacularly short - as these hilarious pictures prove.  Taken by bemused travellers from across the globe, they illustrate everything from poorly-configured bathrooms to diabolical decor and foolish design faults.

Most people use it to share selfies or, worse, boastful holiday moments. But one man has become an internet sensation after dedicating his Instagram account to something other than himself - namely, hotel carpets. Bill Young, a pilot from Texas, began his web journey in 2015 after decided to chart the various textile floorings he'd witness during stop-overs on long-haul flights. Now, he has more than 600,000 followers. Here are some of his best moments.

YouTube star Casey Neistat (main) has given the swanky suites his seal of approval after filming his journey in one from Brussels to Dubai. The fully-enclosed cabins measure 40 square-feet (3.7-square-metres) and are billed as 'game-changers' with their privacy, gourmet dining, mood lighting and 32in TV screens.

'Tis the season to be jolly. But, for many, it's also a time of festive fatigue - especially when it comes to decorating a Christmas tree. Although they're meant to be the ultimate centerpiece, many pines end up looking rather pathetic. From pineapples (top left) and potted plants (top centre) to crude-looking mounds (top right) and cold metal structures (bottom left), here's our selection of the world's worst.

The National Geographic Nature Photographer of Year contest is run every year and sees awards handed out in four categories - wildlife, landscapes, aerial and underwater. The overall winner of the contest was a mesmerising snap of a shy orangutan hiding behind a tree in Borneo, top left. Others that were highly praised were a shot of an owl in flight in America, top right, tarpon cutting through a school of fish in the Caribbean, bottom left, and a rainbow over a lighthouse in the Faroe Islands, bottom right.

You'd be forgiven, in the age of the cat fail video compendium, that we've only just started documenting how we interact with animals. But these weird and wonderful vintage pictures from the State Library of New South Wales remind us that we've been recording our complex relationship with them for decades. They date from as early as 1900 and show how Australians got up close and personal with a variety of animals at zoos, circuses and even with elephants at tea parties. The fascinating collection includes the bizarre - such as a sheep towing a small dog in a cart - and the shocking, such as rabbits being packed in wooden boxes for export. There is also history in action, with a picture of one of Australia's first police dogs. Take a look at what life was like living and working with animals in Australia at the turn of the 20th century.

Airbnb has revealed its ultimate rentals wishlist, detailing the worldwide spaces most-desired by travellers. It includes a 600-year-old castle in Ireland (centre), a treehouse in Atlanta, Georgia (top right), a villa in Queensland (top left), a hut in Colombia (bottom left) and a private island retreat in Sweden. Which is your favourite?

It is hoped that the 'snoozeliners', created by mattress firm Simba, will begin operating next year and will run eight routes in cities including London, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. The ultra-luxurious night buses will be fitted with 14 discreet futuristic pods and stewards will be on hand to wake passengers up before they reach their destination so they don't miss their stop. The cutting-edge sleep pods are being trialled with sound-isolating treatments and acoustic black-out blinds, together with a recessed amber light-therapy system.

A range of cruise companies in the UK and U.S across dozens of categories have been handed gongs in the ninth annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards. MCS Cruises' 4,475-passenger MSC Meraviglia sailed away with Best New Ship while Celestyal Cruises won a new award for 2017 - Best for Service. The U.S winner for best ship was the MSC Seaside, with editors raving that the ship has the potential to be 'one of the best Miami-based ships around'. Pictured clockwise from top left: Viking Ocean Cruises won the Best Spa category; Viking also won Best Itineraries in the River category; Cunard Line's Queen Victoria won Best Ship Refurb in the Ocean category; Celebrity Cruises won Best for Romance and this is its Lawn Club on the Silhouette and inset are the slides on the Royal Caribbean, which won Best Entertainment in the Ocean category.

During winter some people lose their cool over blocked roads and cancelled trains. But others embrace the seasonal weather with impressive winter wit. Specifically, people have been producing very creative - and hilarious - snowmen, with everything from superheroes and celebrities to the occasional letterbox. Here, we reveal some of the very best.

Have you ever wanted to turn your body into a boat? It's probably not a question you get asked too often, but engineers of inflatable technology clearly decided that enough people would answer yes to warrant the building of something that transforms beach-goers into high-speed vessels that can bounce across the waves. Behold the Sumo Tube, which is a sort of inflatable shirt made by U.S firm Sportsstuff that swimmers can wear for all manner of sea-going fun, including being pulled along by a speedboat.

The world is one huge, must-see place. Breaking it down into manageable priorities can be tricky and even the most seasoned tourist can find decision-making overwhelming. Fortunately for us, the experts at National Geographic Traveler have created a bucket list for 2018, including Hawaii (main), Albania (bottom right) and Jordan (top right).

Le Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc in the French Alps has become arguably the biggest husky race in the world as 25 mushers compete over nine legs for their share of a £50,000 prize pot. MailOnline Travel's Kate Pickles took time out from the newsroom to cheer on racers while making the most of the spectacular scenery by trying her hand at a spot of Alpine and Nordic skiing.

MailOnline Travel's Myra Butterworth signed up for the North Face women's ski camp at Whistler (main) in Canada, a resort loved by the Beckhams (insets). She covered a huge amount of terrain and spent time working on moguls, some off-piste technique and discussing individual improvements. 

The Landmark Trust, a UK-based building conservation charity, has unveiled a list of weird and wonderful properties from a former fort to an isolated cottage that are available for Christmas. Among the properties are Stogursey Castle in Somerset, top left and bottom right, Clonque Fort in the Channel Islands, top right, Shore Cottages in Caithness, bottom left, and the Swiss chalet in Tavistock, inset.

Polish photographer Karol Nienartowicz has spent the past 15 years travelling all over Poland to capture its many mountain regions in all their Narnia-style wintry glory. From a sci-fi looking observatory to the vastness of a wintry sky, here are some of his best shots

The amazing footage shows Captain Dave Wallsworth bringing A380 'The Princess' in to Johannesburg, with on-screen graphics explaining the commands he's issuing. The plane touches down after being guided in by a ‘glideslope radio beam’, which keeps the aircraft on the centreline of the runway. Captain Wallsworth told MailOnline Travel: ‘I hope that what people take away from it is that we carry out each flight professionally but in a relaxed atmosphere. That there really isn’t anything to worry about.'

U.S travel blogger Loren Rhoads has penned the book 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die, revealing some of the most unusual and stunning places for burials around the world. Among the cemeteries named in the book is Arlington National Cemetery in the U.S (top left), the Isle of Iona graveyard (top right), La Recoleta in Buenos Aires (bottom left) and the Skogskyrkogarden graveyard in Stockholm (bottom right).