The one good thing about tax day? The nice tax refund that we—or, well, some of us—get in the mail, courtesy of the US or state government. And while we should be putting that money away for safekeeping, well, what’s the fun in that? From all-out culinary experiences to diamond-encrusted watches, here are some of the ways we wish we were spending our tax return—and, this being Architizer—we’ve included the best places to splurge too, so, you know, you can do so in style. Click through to see all our picks!

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There are two types of hotels. First, there are the ones that merely provide a place to rest your head in between sight-seeing bouts—the hostels or chain hotels that dot popular tourist spots such as New York or Paris. And then there are ones that are so magnificent you’ll never want to leave—luxurious resorts in middle-of-nowhere Utah, rooms in romantic caves in rural Italy, or a modern spaceship in Dubai. These lodgings, with their picturesque settings, crazy amenities, and (of course) amazing design, aren’t just a place to sleep: they are vacation destinations in and of themselves. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites—from the drop-dead gorgeous to the head-scratchingly insane—from around the globe. Click through to see our picks!

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If you haven’t noticed, voting for the Architizer A+ Award Public Choice Winners is currently live, and going strong! Today we are featuring the finalists from a pretty hefty category known often in the design world as “hospitality.” While the term may seem puzzling to some, the typology is an overarching classification of some of our favorite types of spaces including Hotels & Resorts, Bars & Nightclubs, and even Restaurants. Think about it, these projects might not be necessary to survive, but their added luxury definitely provides us all with an improved quality of life. Whether on vacation or out for a night on the town, these finalists definitely prove themselves to be premiere destinations, offering visitors an experience worth celebrating. Click through to see them all!

Spot a favorite? Make sure to vote for it over at the A+ Public Voting site!

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Hotels these days will do anything to get customers’ attention, and we have gotten used to all sorts of marketing stunts. But the concept behind the Faktum Hotel in Gothenburg, Sweden, is really out there: It has no rooms. Charging customers 100 Swedish krona per night (about $16), the hotel’s website guides visitors through the grim urban spots where homeless people find shelter, and invites them to enjoy the “accommodations.” Read more!

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You’ve got the flowers. You’ve got the dinner reservations. But have you got the proper pad? In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve collected a range of tantalizing boudoirs — from cozy candlelit caves to enchanted suites sculpted in ice (fur throws included)  – that will, ahem, help put you in the mood. Whether your idea of a good night consists of camping out in a converted concrete tube or strutting your stuff inside a sleek glass house, chances are we’ve got just the bedroom that will light your — and your partner’s — fire. Click through to see our picks!

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Photo courtesy Starwood Hotels

Beijing-based firm MAD Architects has been on a roll—in fact, if you remember correctly, they made our list of the top five firms that kicked ass in 2012. We were particularly impressed with their recently completed Absolute Towers, whose curving silhouettes add a little sex appeal to the Mississauga skyline. (Never heard of Mississauga? It’s a city located just outside of Toronto.)

Well, just as we predicted, MAD’s wining streak continues—and so does their penchant for wild, attention-grabbing architecture. As Curbed.com reports, the firm has just completed the new, $1.5-billion Sheraton Huzhou Hot Springs Resort in Zhejiang Province, China. Described as a glowing horseshoe—or maybe a half-finished Stargate—the building is one of 30 (!!) hotels that the hospitality giant plans to open this year in the Asia-Pacific region. Click through to see more images!

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With winter approaching, a trip to tropical Thailand is looking pretty darn appealing at the moment. Particularly if it involves a stay at the mega-luxurious Naka Hotel! Designed by Bangkok-based architect Duangrit Bunnag of DBALP, this new establishment lets visitors stay in one of its 94 glass pods that jut out from the mountainside above a private beach. Of course, such breathtaking views don’t come cheap, with rooms running at $1,000 per night. Read more!

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The planned Water Discus Hotel, designed by Deep Ocean Technology for Dubai, is an initiative of the Dubai construction company Drydocks World and Switzerland’s BIG InvestConsult. Image courtesy of Deep Ocean Technology.

Back in 2001, submersible expert Bruce Jones hatched the idea for the Poseidon Undersea Resort, the world’s first underwater hotel. Featuring 24 modular suites with panoramic views of coral reefs and tropical fish, Jones’s luxury human fishbowl was originally slated to open in 2009, then delayed until 2010. With the design and engineering for the hotel completed, Jones’s company, U.S. Submarine Structures, still must raise enough capital for construction to start. And once ground (um, ocean!) is broken, guest-adventurers willing to shell out $15,000 to $30,000 per week for their own little Plexiglas Atlantis will have to wait another two years for the grand opening. Read more!

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The lotus is one of the most potent symbols in Chinese culture, representing purity, enlightenment, and good fortune. Soon, thanks to PLaT Architects,  it could also become a symbol of innovative architecture and luxury vacationing! The Asian architecture firm has recently unveiled plans for its Lotus Hotel — a sprawling resort nestled in China’s Xiangshawan Desert. Located more than 500 miles from Beijing, the hotel will be built with local materials — well, as local as the middle of the desert can get — and will not use water or concrete during construction. The final structure will include petal-like canopies arranged in a circular bloom. Read more!

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Picture this scene: You’re planning an exciting beach vacation with some friends, but you can’t seem to find any sleeping accommodations nearby. You can either a) have everyone bring their own tents and sleeping bags; or b) order individual modular hotel rooms to be delivered on site. Too good to be true? Well, UK-based Ian Springford Architects has proposed MyPlace.com, a website that uses social media and crowdsourcing to bring portable, comfy hotel rooms to itinerant travelers all over the world. Read more!

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