These Boat Hotels Belong on Your Travel Bucket List

If you're looking to book a romantic getaway or solo vacation, typical amenities on your wish list might include waterside views or a hotel pool to take a dip in - but what if you could do one better? These unique "boatels" boast accommodations that are actually on the water, and a stay at any one of them is sure to stir up travel envy from your Instagram followers.

If you didn't know luxury boat safari experiences were a thing, now you do. Catch views of elephants, buffalo, lions, and countless birds from your own private balcony on the Zambezi Queen, a houseboat that glides along the waterfront of Chobe National Park in Botswana. In addition to air conditioned rooms, the vessel is outfitted with a pool deck.

Docked in the harbor of downtown Charleston, this single-bedroom Airbnb is less than two miles from the heart of the historic district. Renters see dolphins jumping in the Cooper River, right from the bedroom window, and the interior of the little boathouse is as enjoyable to take in as the view of the Arthur Ravenal Jr. Bridge. Visitors get a ship and shiplap all in one.

Boatel Charlie floats on the Danube, the second longest river in Europe. It's situated just 20 minutes from the city center of Belgrade, making it the perfect place from which to explore the beauty and surprising greenery of Serbia

This dreamy, one-bedroom Airbnb listing is situated right on the Seine in the heart of Paris. In addition to an unbeatable view of the iconic Eiffel Tower, the cozy-chic quarters are beautifully decorated and there's an equipped kitchen as well as a terrace where guests can take it all in.

Sweden's first floating hotel is not exactly a boat, but Salt & Sill is built upon pontoons off of the rocky Bohuslän Coast. The two-story dwelling has a spacious sundeck and adjacent boathouse lounge - and if you really insist on staying on a real boat, a two-story catamaran with a sauna is moored nearby and can be rented overnight.

Although you might miss the creature comforts of hot water and electricity a bit, this picturesque houseboat in western Quebec is the perfect place for a glamping-like experience on the water. Guests can partake in swimming and fishing on the picturesque Gatineau River and enjoy some serious summertime R&R.

Originally a German barge, CPH Living is now Denmark's first floating hotel. The boutique, 12-room vessel, located near Copenhagen's museum district, boasts minimalistic rooms with gorgeous panoramic views of the harbor and city center.

Docked in Sausalito, the Yellow Ferry is only five minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge and a 15-minute trip from San Francisco. From this delightful and historic two-bedroom ferry (which first launched in 1888) you can take complimentary paddleboards and kayaks out for a spin, or use the binoculars on board to check out the neighborhood harbor seals and birds.

The Lilla Marras was a working British lifeboat from 1955 to 1979. Now it's a unique and comfortable place to stay in the Netherlands, replete with luxe furnishings and a unique wooden bath. You can even take a two-hour tour of the North Sea with a private captain without leaving your accommodations.

Whether you're looking for a cruise or a cozy, floating B&B, the Barge Johanna is a totally original way to explore the beauty of France. For half the year, Johanna embarks on chartered cruises through the Champagne region until the vessel is moored in Bruges, Belgium for the winter. Three comfy double cabins means the whole family can come along for the voyage.