Some folks like to really get away...from the norm...while on vacation. Locally, there's the Madonna Inn up in San Luis Obispo, a Central Coast classic with decor that's kitschy, fun and occasionally downright awful in a memorably unique way. No, staying in themed rooms isn't about "good taste", but they're about a good time, and staying at places like the Madonna Inn can be a fun way to let loose in regards to decor you'd never ever want in your own home, yet you can still appreciate within the experience of a vacation. But if you wanted to take the themed lodgings to another level with a bit more chutzpah, you might want to set course for Hong Kong, where one luxury hotel offers rooms with heaven, hell and everything inbetween as a setting to wine, dine and rest your weary little head...

The Luxe Manor in Kowloon, Hong Kong is as surreal as it gets, merging a fantasy scape that starts from a modern-meets-vintage/time piece themed lobby (described by architect and interior designer Jacky Wong as a “gateway between the real and surreal world”), into the spectacle of 6 special themed suites (there are 153 "normal" rooms, but who wants those?) that exhibit an over-the-top ostentatious giddiness of colours, textures and a joyful disregard for subtlety...like defining "luxury" through the prism of the overactive imagination of a 15 year old kid who just watched a lot of Tim Burton films and The Matrix trilogy.

Things get even better in their private bar/lounge areas, where the grandiose themes of heaven, hell and the Garden of Eden are offered as individual and private dining areas, each room impeccably decorated with a stage set designer's eye to detail. As moderate practitioners of modern minimal living, sometimes seeing interior spaces like this reminds us sometimes one has to say "to hell with the practicality!" and occasionally just enjoy the ridiculous and wondrous. Because there are plenty of boutique and run-of-the-mill hotel rooms out there...but we'd argue there are unfortunately not enough Luxe Manors in the world (hear that, Las Vegas!).