Sun Cruise Ship on the top of the Cliff

Sun Cruise sitting high and dry on the coastal cliff of Jeongdongjin.

To get to Sun Cruise Hotel and Yacht from Jeongdongjin Beach, I could only walk. Public transport was out of question as there was only one bus (Bus 109) going to the Hotel every two hours. Flagging down a taxi was also not easy as empty taxis were few and far between.

The slope leading to the Hotel was steep, probably about 50° gradient. I could feel the full force of gravity acting down on me as I struggled my way up. The fortunate thing was the distance to overcome was not too long.  It took about 15-20 minutes to get to the top but it was worthwhile effort.

Entrance fee for non-resort guest is 5,000won. The recommended course - panaromic view of the East Sea, bird's eye view of Jeongdongjin from the Observation Deck and a leisure walk around the sculpture park. I was most interested in the Observation Deck. I wanted to look down from the highest point of the ship. 15 more images after the break...

Floating Hotels in Qatar

If there’s an intractable urban problem, whether involving housing thousands of people or preparing for an attention-grabbing event, there is always a one-step solution: Make it float!

This is Qatar’s plan, at least, for the 2022 World Cup. Faced with mounting criticism of its preparations for the event, and worries that it will not be able to manage hosting the thousands of attendees, the Gulf state has decided to look into several floating hotels that together would be capable of handling upwards of 25,000 people. 08 more images after the break...

Abandoned Sea Fort Transforms Into Luxury Hotel

With defense embedded in its DNA so to speak, the Spitbank Fort is sure to disarm any qualms as to why it shouldn’t be the luxury property of choice for those thinking of visiting Hampshire. The adventure begins when the fort's skipper promptly picks guests up from the departure lounge at the Royal Clarence Marina in Gosport. Days at the fort itself begin with an unforgettable breakfast served on the copper roof of the 1890’s ''Lighthouse'' with views over the Solent, Portsmouth, and the famous Spinnaker Tower followed by a bracing dive into the open air ''Hot Pool'' or a total face and body treatment at the Spa. If you’re fond of billiards or poker, the ''Recreation Rooms'' offer the perfect space to play for hours. Later on in the day, an aperitif awaits in the ''Victory Bar'' which is sure to whet one’s appetite for chef Nikolaus Boyle’s culinary creations under the historic arched brickwork ceiling of "The Officer's Mess" restaurant. Afterwards, a range of digestifs can be enjoyed in ''The Fire Pit'' with its unobstructed views towards the Isle of Wight. And to follow? Being lulled to sleep by the sound of the sea on a super-king size bed in one of the previous gun emplacements which have been magnificently transformed into sumptuous bedroom suites. 17 more images after the break...

Xiangshawan Desert Lotus Hotel

Due to the restriction by its special geographic condition, PLaT Architects invented a new structural system that fix in fluid sands using only steel panels without the help of concrete or water. The panels and the supporting skeleton structures are pre-fabricated, and make the base of the building a large container for sands. Thus, the steel panel structure can function as a boat floating on desert that carries the building. The sands in and out of the structure exert same forces to each other, and thus it is flexibly stabilized. Also, walls are load-bearing structures in order to reduce the pressure on base. 09 more image after the break...