THE world's first sand hotel has opened on an English beach, offering customers the chance to stay in their very own giant sand castle. The 1,000 tonne sand sculpture on Weymouth Beach, Dorset, took a team of four sculptors a week to build, and will set you back just $21 a night.A twin and double bedroom is on offer, while the roofless structure gives guests the chance to "star-gaze" at night, said hotel creator Mark Anderson.

The sand hotel was commissioned by UK website LateRooms.com after its research found that 57 per cent of the country's holiday-makers were shunning foreign destinations in favour of British seaside resorts.