( CNN ) -- They 're not always the most popular or conventional hotels . And that 's exactly what Lonely Planet is going for with its inaugural picks for the world 's best accommodations . The travel publisher 's panel of experts chose their top 10 in each of three categories : `` most extraordinary places to stay , '' `` best-value accommodations '' and `` top eco retreats '' for its list of top hotels . Some are unique , out-of-the-way spots while others are more well-known . Picks run the gamut from trendy hostels to luxury eco-lodges . Check out Lonely Planet 's recommendations in the `` extraordinary '' category above and see whether you agree . `` This collection is one-of-a-kind , carefully curated by the most well-traveled people on Earth , '' said Tom Hall , LonelyPlanet.com editorial director , in a press statement . `` Our authors provide their honest opinion and never take freebies in exchange for positive coverage , so you can trust our reviews . '' Lonely Planet is far from the only travel outfit ranking its favorite lodgings . Best is all in the eye of the beholder . To expand your quest for the best , check out TripAdvisor users ' picks , Fodor 's best hotels of 2013 or the world 's best airport hotels . Cap off a stay with a meal at one of the world 's best hotel restaurants . Lonely Planet 's top hotels : . Most extraordinary hotels around the world . 1 . Mihir Garh , Rajasthan , India . 2 . Planet Baobab , Gweta , Botswana . 3 . Prendiparte B & B , Bologna , Italy . 4 . Qasr Al Sarab , UAE . 5 . Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge , TAS , Australia . 6 . Free Spirit Spheres , British Columbia , Canada . 7 . Taskonak Hotel , Goreme , Cappadocia , Turkey . 8 . Thonga Beach Lodge , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , South Africa . 9 . Saugerties Lighthouse , New York , USA . 10 . The Gibbon Experience Treehouse , Bokeo Reserve , Laos . Best value hotels around the world . 1 . The Backpack , Cape Town , South Africa . 2 . Sydney Harbour YHA , Australia . 3 . Inkosana Lodge , Champagne Valley , Drakensberg , South Africa . 4 . Plovdiv Guesthouse , Plovdiv , Bulgaria . 5 . Hotel Gruner Baum , Glorenza , Sudtirol , Italy . 6 . Oztel , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil . 7 . Fauzi Azar Inn , Nazareth , Israel . 8 . We Hostel Design , Sao Paulo , Brazil . 9 . Hotel Hotel Hostel , Seattle , USA . 10 . On the Corner , Kolomyya , Ukraine . Top eco resorts . 1 . Lapa Rios Eco Lodge , Peninsula de Osa , Costa Rica . 2 . Bulungula Backpackers , South Africa . 3 . Chole Mjini , Chole Island , Mafia Archipelago , Tanzania . 4 . Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel , Aguas Calientes , Peru . 5 . EcoLodge Chepu Adventures , Chiloe , Chile . 6 . Maison Anglaise , Taroudant , Morocco . 7 . Earthship Rentals , Taos , New Mexico , USA . 8 . Dana Guest House , Jordan . 9 . Nuli Sapi , Papua New Guinea . 10 . Baikaler Eco-Hostel , Listvyanka , Russia .
Lonely Planet 's 'most extraordinary ' hotel can be found in India 's Thar Desert . Zipline into a Laos tree house for a unique stay . A 17th century prison is now an Italian inn . A New York lighthouse also made the 'extraordinary ' list .