Enjoy a digital detox in the natural surroundings of Gulf Shores’ Gulf State Park for just $50 a night. A night at one of the park’s three tents is perfect for a back-to-basics adventure. Each houses four camp beds and comes complete with fire pits, and running water but no electricity. Enjoy the beautiful white-sand beach, 28 miles of trails and array of activities, from kayaking to paddleboarding.
If you love fishing in magnificent surroundings, head straight for the Salmon Catcher Lodge in Kenai. Stay in cosy log cabins with a hot tub and have all your fishing needs arranged by the management. Rates start from just $73 a night.
Take a snooze in a wigwam along Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona. From just $64 a night you’ll get a bed, a bathroom with a toilet and shower and plenty of other home comforts in a 30-foot-tall tipi. The Wigwam Motel is surrounded by vintage cars and plenty of land where you can enjoy the scenery while cooking on the barbecue.
If you can’t stand the thought of having noisy neighbours on a quiet holiday, book a stay at this tranquil, secluded cabin in Everton, where rates start from $79 a night. The interiors are incredibly cosy, with rustic furniture, a fireplace and wooden floors and walls. There’s enough space to sleep four, and out on the deck you can enjoy wonderful views of the Ozark Mountains, and maybe even spot a deer or turkey ambling past.
For a Californian stay with a difference choose this Sacramento riverboat hotel. Dating back to 1924, the Delta King has 44 rooms with rates starting from $95 a night in low season. There are also two restaurants, two theatres and a wine school on board.
Colorado’s stunning Mueller State Park has abundant wildlife, beautiful meadows and range of active adventures on offer. If you're visiting, don’t miss a stay at one of the park’s cosy cabins, from $97 a night. The charming cabins have rustic wood-panelled walls, roaring fireplaces and beautiful views over the landscape.
Stay in eco-friendly surroundings in East Haddam by renting a solar-powered yurt on a 40-acre retreat and wellness centre. As well as your own yurt sanctuary for $90 a night, there's forest bathing, walking trails, meditation sessions and yoga classes on offer.
The coast is the draw in Delaware, and located just a short walk from the beach, Hotel Blue in Lewes has quirky rooms that are all a little different. One has a koi pond, another has glowing sinks, and every room has a fireplace and private balcony. Nights start from $99 during off season, and there’s also a rooftop pool and sauna. During your stay, don’t miss the beautiful Cape Henlopen State Park, where you can hike, bike and swim in the sea.
For a Florida experience that’s miles away from the bright lights of Miami and the rollercoasters of Orlando, head to these rustic log cabins at Big Cypress Lodge in Lake Panasoffkee. From just $76 a night, you can spot wildlife and enjoy simple pleasures like fishing, canoeing and hiking.
Athens, Georgia, is home of the state's gorgeous botanical gardens, as well the superb Georgia Museum of Art. If you're visiting, stay at Graduate Athens from $99 a night. The bright, bold interior here is filled with art and rooms have luxurious additions like Malin+Goetz toiletries and USB charging stations. There’s also an outdoor pool and complimentary bikes to borrow for days out.
For less than $60 a night, this dreamy Indonesian Eco Hut in Pahoa is a steal. It's within walking distance of the ocean which laps an otherworldly black-sand beach and is surrounded by palm trees and tropical greenery. It's an idyllic Hawaiian escape.
Drop your things in a luxurious tent and enjoy the scenic surroundings of Clark Fork at the Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast. The quiet campsite combines the tranquility of the wilderness with the luxury of home, with large beds, patchwork quilts and wood-burning stoves in your very own canvas tent. You can choose to explore the beautiful natural surroundings of the campsite, or head to the nearby lakeside resort city of Sandpoint, where you can ski, cycle and hike. Rates start from $100 a night.
At the boutique FieldHouse Jones in Chicago’s River North neighbourhood, room rates start at just $80 a night. Fun design quirks like a floating tennis racket installation made from over 400 vintage rackets and corridors decorated with vintage sports memorabilia make this an unusual stay. There's an all-day sports-inspired lobby café, too.
Close to downtown Indianapolis and plenty of restaurants, bars and pubs, the Indy Hostel makes a fun base from which to explore the city. The hostel runs a varied selection of events, there’s a range of very reasonably-priced private and shared rooms with cheery, colourful décor, and you can meet other travellers in the shared social spaces, including the lounge, kitchen, outdoor patio and library. Rates start from around $42 for a private room.
Ge back to nature in Madison County and choose a yurt instead of a hotel. For just $70 a night, you can catch your beauty sleep in a traditional Mongolian yurt that sleeps up to eight people. You can cook for yourself in your own little kitchenette, eat meals on the deck outsite and enjoy the surroundings in Pammel Park. When you're not holed up in your cosy cabin, walk some of the hiking trails through scenic woodlands, try canoeing or kayaking, or have a go at river fishing.
Experience the life of a cowboy at the 7,000-acre Flying W Ranch in the Kansas Flint Hills. There is a range of rustic accommodation to pick from, from an old calaboose to a firehouse, with prices starting from just $55 a night. While you’re there, you’ll have the chance to dive right into cowboy culture, with horseriding, cattle drives, wagon rides, wildflower walks, star-gazing, fishing and hiking all on the menu.
Take the hassle out of camping and head to Columbia’s Kozy Haven Log Cabin Resort for fully-furnished, comfy cabins with all the mod cons you need for a relaxing weekend away. The cabins sleep up to four people with rates starting from $75 a night. Green River Lake State Park is just over 20 minutes away by car and has around 28 miles of trails to explore.
Throw yourself into New Orleans living at the recently renovated Historical House. Costing just $99 per night, the shotgun home sleeps up to seven people, with a spacious living area and a fully-equipped kitchen. It's close to the French Quarter and Esplanade Avenue, making an ideal budget base for a trip to NOLA.
Set in downtown Portland, the Inn at St. John was built in 1897, and is the city’s oldest continuously operated inn. The Victorian building is home to an array of charmingly old-fashioned guest rooms, complete with period wallpaper and antique-style furniture, and there’s also a hearty complimentary breakfast. Nearby, there are restaurants, shops, museums, art galleries and of course Portland’s famous lighthouses. Rates start from $59 a night in low season.
For a night straight out of a fairy tale, head to Rohrersville’s The Treehouse Camp. Rates start from $43 a night, and you can choose from a cottage on stilts 10 feet off the ground, one of 10 treehouses, or a 'hobbit house'. The camp, set in 20 acres of picturesque woods, is the perfect base for enjoying active adventures including hiking and river rafting. Don't miss a visit to the nearby Big Cork Vineyards too.
A tight budget doesn't mean you have to compromise on a stylish stay in Cambridge, Massachusetts: at the Freepoint Hotel, rates start from just $89 a night. The property has lots of arty detail, including a polaroid wall displaying the community’s history. Plus, there’s a open-air courtyard with fire pits and an on-site restaurant. Best of all, as dogs are welcome, there’s a good chance of bumping into some seriously cute pups.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that hostels were just for your backpacking days: you can book private rooms at Hostel Detroit for just $60 a night and get plenty of privacy, as well as all the fun that comes with staying in a hostel. The 100-year-old building has been updated with bright decor, and there’s a big back garden, three kitchens, free computers and social spaces should you want to make friends.
Sleep in historic settings at Preston’s Jailhouse Historic Inn, which dates back to 1869 and was once the Fillmore County Jail. For just $85 a night, you can snooze in the former sheriff’s quarters, the detention room and even the cell block. There are plenty of nods to the building's past, from the original sheriff’s claw foot tub to the TV showing jail-related videos.
Enjoy a peaceful break in Ellisville in the 'Cozy Cabin'. For around $80 a night, the rustic wooden cabin sleeps up to six guests, with three queen-size beds and a bathroom. There’s lots to enjoy in the surrounding area too, with plenty of hiking and biking trails nearby and the option to go fishing, kayaking or swimming.
Take camping to the next level by sleeping under the stars with these fantastic hanging tree tents in Park Hills. Costing around $63 a night, you can soak in the sounds of the forest by the fire at night, then settle down to snooze among the trees in an already-set-up hammock tent. There's all the standard campsite amenities, including showers, and breakfast is included.
For cosy accommodation, active adventures and beautiful, big blue-sky views, book a stay at the Cosy Ennis Studio, in Ennis. The studio sleeps two and costs just $80 a night. For this price, you’ll get a king-size bed, sofa bed, a kitchenette and, most importantly, incredible mountain views. Get out into the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest for some hiking nearby.
Located between Lincoln and Omaha in Nehawka, Slattery Vintage Estates is a tranquil vineyard with a tasting room featuring over 70 variations of beer and wine, an outdoor kitchen serving comfort food and a gift shop with local creations. If you’ve ever dreamed of glamping in a vineyard, this is the place to do it: the estate has luxurious bungalows furnished with antiques, home comforts and most importantly, relaxing porches on which to sit and admire the scenery. Rates start from $60 a night.
Escape the crazy lights of Las Vegas and head to this off-the-grid caravan in Reno to get away from it all. The quirky rental sleeps four, with cosy, wooden interiors, a small kitchen and a bright, colourful outer design so you never have trouble finding your way home. Rates start from around $74 a night.
For an unusual getaway, head to Lincoln and make your base a renovated 1920s B&M Caboose in the heart of the White Mountains. Prices start from $99 a night and the vehicle can sleep up to four people. It boasts some surprising luxuries, such as two televisions, a chandelier in the bathroom and an electric fireplace in the sitting area.
Enjoy the bright lights of Atlantic City, with its shops, nightclubs and casinos, but don’t go for one of the city’s many chain hotels: opt for a calm, charming place to rest your head after a busy day out. The Chelsea Pub and Inn, which was built in 1880, oozes character, with Victorian decor and individually designed rooms. Rates start from $75 a night.
The Tipis of Santa Fe encourages digital detoxing, this desert area being a prime location for switching off. For just $75 a night, you'll check into your tipi and dine on organic food at a nearby partner restaurant. There's an option for massages, archery sessions and even petroglyph tours of the surrounding area, and at night the stars are spectacular.
Who said you need to spend a fortune to stay in New York City? Instead of a traditional hotel room, grab a pod at Pod 51 from just $70 a night. The compact, fun and functional spaces are super-affordable, and the hotel has great extras like a café, garden areas and workspaces.
Asheville Glamping have a variety of unusual sleeps, but our favourite is the 1958 trailer named Little Louie. With one night costing $100, the trailer sleeps two on a cosy mattress, and there’s even a sitting area. It's a great place to enjoy the simple things, like sitting around the fire pit and drinking in the wonderful mountain views.
Excellently located in Bismarck, close to local attractions like Dakota Zoo and the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, the Kelly Inn is a comfortable but affordable hotel with 101 spacious rooms, an indoor pool and a traditionally-designed, cosy lounge. Rates start from around $63 a night, and for that you’ll also get complimentary breakfast, a free newspaper and free parking.
Located in between Cleveland and Columbus in Loudonville, Landoll’s Mohican Castle is a charming hotel that gives guests the chance to explore nearby natural landmarks such as Mohican State Park and Malabar Farm State Park. Created by an Army veteran who wanted to build a castle similar to those he had seen on a two-year tour in Europe, the quirky property has individually-designed, luxurious suites starting from just $99 a night.
Go glamping in rural Mounds, where you’ll find this comfortable Native American-style tipi. It sits within 40 acres of green pasture and there are two fishing ponds and lots of roaming wildlife such as horses and wild deer.
Heading to Oregon's wine country? Catch 40 winks in a vintage 1956 Santa Fe trailer from just $95 per night at The Vintages Trailer Resort. As well as sleeping on hotel-quality bedsheets, you’ll also enjoy other touches of luxury in your trailer, from swanky bath amenities and bathrobes to gourmet coffee. Plus, there's an outdoor seating area for when you feel like soaking up the sun after a long day's wine tasting.
To snooze in historic surroundings, head to Pittsburgh’s Priory Hotel, where the starting rate is $99 a night. Once a Benedictine monastery, The Priory is now a 42-room, family-owned boutique hotel. There’s a beautiful courtyard, a sitting room with a fireplace, and the “Monk’s Bar”, a great place to sip a “Monktini”.
A two-minute walk from downtown Newport, The Artful Lodger has much more than just a quirky name. The quaint bed and breakfast has a selection of cosy, individually-designed rooms starting from around $89 a night, pretty outdoor seating areas covered in greenery, and a hearty breakfast served in a room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbour.
Who knew you could get a large house minutes from the beach for just $70 a night? In Myrtle Beach, you can, with this pretty two-bed, two-bath townhouse, kitted out with new furniture, gadgets and appliances. It can sleep up to eight people and is just a block from the beach: perfect for a family break.
Explore some of South Dakota’s best-known landmarks by making Coyote Blues Village Bed & Breakfast your base. Set in the heart of the Black Hills, the Mount Rushmore National Monument, the Crazy Horse Memorial and the Custer State Park are all around a 30-minute drive away. The bed and breakfast has 10 themed rooms with quirks like private hot tub decks, antique furniture and leopard-print floors, and rates start from $70 off season.
Pick this historic Gatlinburg inn for an interesting slice of history as well as a relaxing break. Family-owned since 1937, the hotel is the birthplace of the Tennessee state anthem, Rocky Top, where its songwriters penned the tune in Room 388. The hotel has a wall of fame featuring the famous faces who have stayed there over the years, including President Hoover and J.C. Penney. The rooms, which start from $89 in low season, are spacious and there's a complimentary breakfast.
For a Texas experience to remember, choose Austin’s buzzing Native Hostel. The building was once an 1890s railroader hotel and mid-century warehouse, but today the edgy design will have you reaching for your camera. As well as plenty of social spaces, including a lounge, café and bar where the happy hour and brunch are popular with locals, there are also many room types to pick from, from dorms to private suites, starting from $49 a night.
Make your base Utah’s scenic Canyon County and escape the daily grind in this Native American-style tipi. For just $69.55 a night, you’ll get a surprising amount of room, and although you'll have your own barbecue grill to cook on, there's a restaurant on the property serving homegrown food so you can truly kick back and relax.
Indulge your childhood dreams and spend the night in a treehouse in St. Johnsbury. This cosy tree cabin costs from around $89 a night, sleeps up to three people and strikes the balance between being a quiet escape and having a full list of mod cons. Best of all is the custom-built white cedar hot tub. Come leaf-peeping season, you're in prime position here to enjoy the New England fall foliage.
Although it has been recently renovated, Colonial Beach’s Riverview Inn retains much of its original charm and character. With a bright, retro colour scheme and the classic neon sign, it harks back to its beginnings in the early 1950s. The average rates are $99 a night, and for this you get plenty of perks, including complimentary coffee, smart televisions, eco-friendly amenities and more.
Located just steps from a 28-mile-long sandy beach in Long Beach, the trendy Adrift Hotel offers rates for under $100 in low season, making it a bargain beach break option. It’s not just the industrial-chic interiors that makes it popular with visitors, but also the abundance of added extras, such as the library, live music, a cool restaurant, complimentary bicycles and the warm welcome for dogs.
Bring all the family along to this sweet cottage in Capon Bridge, which, from just $90.95 a night, can accommodate 10 guests. With several bedrooms and bathrooms, a kitchenette, lounge and a large deck, there’s plenty of space inside the cottages, but the first thing you’ll do will be to roam the surroundings. Nearby, you’ll find a lake, a sandy beach, hiking trails, a lakefront sauna and even a volleyball court.
Bring the whole family and sleep in one of these Amish cabins in Viroqua. At just $94 a night, the cabins are a bargain, sleeping up to four people. Take a stroll along one of the many walking trails in the area, and spend evenings around the fire pits.
Just over an hour’s drive from Yellowstone National Park’s east entrance, Cody’s historic Irma Hotel is the perfect place to base yourself for a Wyoming adventure: guests have even been known to spot bison, bears and wolves on the scenic drive to the park. Built in 1902 by Buffalo Bill Cody, the Old West-style hotel has hosted famous names such as Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane in through the years, and you can even choose to stay in Buffalo Bill’s private suite. Rates start from $79.50 a night.