Floating hotels for dreamy escapes

<p> Ever wanted to sleep in a yellow submarine? In Liverpool you can spend the night in this colourful abode that pays homage to one of The Beatles' best-known songs. The <a href="http://www.yellowsubliverpool.co.uk/" target="_blank">Yellow Submarine Hotel</a> floats on a mooring in Albert Dock and features gold discs from The Beatles, the mod scooter from the film Quadrophena and interiors from Paris, Italy and New York. The groovy sub is perfect for a weekend away with friends and you can be picked up in a Rolls Royce Phantom if you're arriving at Liverpool or Manchester Airport. From &pound;165 per night for up to eight people.</p>

<p> This super-cool Swedish inn boasts a brilliant location at the shoreline of the island of Kladesholmen on the western side of Tjorn, as well as sea views and a world-class restaurant. <a href="http://www.saltosill.se/Lodging%2Fhotel__1033.html" target="_blank">Salt &amp; Sill</a> is a 23-room hotel built on pontoons and made of six two-storey clapboard buildings. Inside, the interiors are light and airy, and each room has its own access to an outdoor seating area so you can enjoy the sea air. As the Scandinavians are renowned for their love of saunas, the hotel wouldn't be complete without its own sauna, but this one has a twist - it's a sauna boat designed as a miniature replica of the bigger building resting on a catamaran and reaching speeds of up to 15 knots. From &pound;188 per night including wine and truffles, a three-course dinner and breakfast.</p>

<p> The floating white marble vision that is <a href="http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/Grand-Palaces-And-Iconic-Hotels/Taj-Lake-Palace-Udaipur/Overview.html" target="_blank">Taj Lake Palace</a> in Udaipur appears to emerge from the mist on Lake Pichola and occupies a four-acre island surrounded by cypress-shaded courtyards, gardens and fountains. One of India's most famous hotels, Taj Lake Palace is romantic, iconic and graceful. Make a magical entrancy by arriving on a gondola at twilight, with the city's lights twinkling and the Aravalli Mountains as a backdrop. Double rooms from &pound;596 per night.</p>

<p> Experience the thrill of a unique African safari from the deck of your own private suite aboard a luxury 45-metre vessel on the magnificent Chobe River, which divides Botswana from Namibia. The Zambezi Queen features 14 rooms with balconies decorated in a sophisticated, contemporary style. On the top deck of the ship is a dining room, lounge, bar and pool area. The ship was designed to maximise animal sightings and you can enjoy game watching from your room or the top deck. Two-night packages from &pound;1,395 per person from <a href="http://www.visionsofafrica.co.uk/" target="_blank">Visions of Africa</a>.</p>

<p> An amazing new development in the Maldives, <a href="http://www.dutchdocklands-maldives.com/Property/1/The_Ocean_Flower.html" target="_blank">The Ocean Flower</a> takes its name from a typical Maldivian flower and features 185 stunning waterfront homes connected along a flower-shaped quay. Each floating property comes with its own private pool and there is an array of facilities, such as a pristine beach, restaurants, shops, a diving centre and small private islands for relaxing and enjoying a picnic. From &pound;628,000 to buy.</p>

<p> Denmark's first floating hotel <a href="http://cphliving.com/pagei.html" target="_blank">CPH Living</a> is a stylishly converted two-level barge in Copenhagen offering guests a relaxed maritime stay in its 12 rooms. You won't find a spa or restaurant here, but if you're after a unique hotel with minimalist rooms and wonderful waterside vistas, this is the place for you. Head for the huge rooftop terrace for the best views of the city skyline and harbour. Double rooms from &pound;136 per night.</p>

<p> For a luxury adventure, book a stay at King Pacific Lodge in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest on the west coast of British Columbia. This floating wilderness lodge built from native pine, fir, cedar and stone lies on a barge, with 17 guest rooms and suites, a wrap-around deck offering spectacular views, a spa, Jacuzzi and plunge pool. From June to September the hotel is towed from its winter home in Prince Rupert to its summer location in Barnard Harbour. Amazing experiences at the lodge include sea kayaking, whale watching and floatplane tours. Look out for the local orcas, black bears, sea lions and eagles too. From &pound;3,047 for three nights with <a href="http://www.kiwicollection.com/hotel-detail/king-pacific-lodge" target="_blank">Kiwi Collection</a>, including scenic flights from Vancouver, gourmet meals with drinks and ecotourism activities, such as whale watching, ocean fishing and hiking.</p>

<p> In Burgundy you can spend the night in this 98-foot barge and experience a relaxing break in France. Down in the open-plan saloon, there are large windows illuminating the black leather sofas, colourful cushions and a kitchen bar where French pastries and yoghurt are laid out for you each morning. The cosy cabins in <a href="http://www.sawdays.co.uk/special-places/france/burgundy/cote-d-or/wine-water" target="_blank">Wine &amp; Water</a> feature comfortable beds and en-suite showers. Sit on the sundeck with a glass of burgundy to make the most of this floating hotel. From &pound;130 per night.</p>

<p> Discover the Amazon as you enjoy the luxury of floor-to-ceiling windows, Egyptian cotton and fine Peruvian fusion cuisine on a floating adventure. <a href="http://aquaexpeditions.com/" target="_blank">Aqua Expeditions</a> brings boutique five-star luxury to the Amazon River in Peru, with its three, four and seven-night journeys into the remote Pacaya Samiria Reserve. 147-foot vessel Aria features a comfortable lounge, outdoor Jacuzzi, an exercise room and stylish interiors. Three-night Amazon Discovery Cruises from &pound;1,557 per person based on full-board basis.</p>

<p> Set on a wild, remote stretch of the River Kwai, this magical floating hotel in Kanchanaburi offers 55 spacious, bamboo-walled twin rooms and a traditional, close-to-nature hotel experience on a historic river. <a href="http://www.riverkwaijunglerafts.com/" target="_blank">River Kwai Jungle Rafts</a> is surrounded by the tropical forest and magnificent mountain range, and there's no electricity here - the rooms are cooled by the river beneath and lit with lanterns at night. The floating restaurant serves authentic Thai and international food and there's a jungle bar to relax and take in the stunning surroundings. A wonderful, tranquil place to let your worries float away! &pound;117 per night including breakfast, dinner and roundtrip boat transfer.</p>