Are you looking for a truly unique lodging experience? If so, you might want to check out one of these weird hotels and unusual types of travel lodging!

Pod Hotels

Just as the name implies, pod hotels are those that are located within a small pod of space. The original pod hotel was created in 1979 and was located in Osaka, Japan. At this time, the design was referred to as a capsule hotel, as the rooms offered guests nothing more than a small sleeping quarters and multiple capsules were stacked on top of one another. Today, pod hotels have expanded to offer a little more space and luxury than the predecessor, but they are still known for their efficient use of space.

Yurts

Yurts have been the traditional form of housing for Mongolian natives for many years. The structures are generally circular in shape and are made with a wooden frame that is covered with felt. The felt used to make traditional yurts is derived from sheep wool, while the wooden frame is created with wooden lattice design. These structures are intended to be portable, as they were used by nomadic tribes.

Tipis

Tipis are most commonly associated with Native Americans, so it may come as a surprise to find that you can actually stay in one while on vacation. An increasing number of reservations are offering tipi lodging to travelers, though they have been updated to provide an extra level of comfort and security. For example, the canvas used to create the unique cone tent is made with fireproof material. In addition, rather than sleeping directly on the ground, most come equipped with an air mattress and sleeping bag. With the unique structure of the tipi, you can also enjoy beautiful views of the star-filled sky as you rest.

Treehouses

There are a growing number of companies offering treehouse accommodations in some truly spectacular settings, such as within the Mount Rainier National Park. In these treehouses, you can set perched hundreds of feet in the air while enjoy some amazing views. Some of the treehouses even boast multiple levels, though getting up and down the steps the to treehouses can be quite the journey.

Ice Hotels

Ice hotels are hotels that are made entirely from snow and blocks of ice. Many ice hotels also have lobbies that are filled with ice sculptures and some are only meant to be temporary structures, which means they are unique each time they are built. Since these hotels can only exist in sub-zero temperatures, the length of their availability depends upon the season and the weather.

Igloo Hotels

While true igloos are made of snow and ice, just as the ice hotels, igloo hotels aren’t necessarily made from the same materials. Rather, there are igloo hotels available that are actually made from heated glass. Similar to a resort filled with cabins sitting next to one another, the igloo hotels are individual units located on the same plot of land. With the special thermo glass used to construct the igloos, they are able to maintain a comfortable temperature despite the freezing cold outdoor temperatures. While traditional snow igloos can also be rented for your vacation, the glass structures offer the unique ability to watch the sky and other scenery through the clear glass panes.

Lighthouse Lodging

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend the night in a lighthouse? With lighthouse lodging, your curiosity can be satisfied! Another perk to staying in one of these lighthouse hotels is the fact that they often are located on their own small private islands. That means you can enjoy peaceful solitude surrounded by great natural beauty. Of course, if the weather is rough, you may have to stay an extra day or two until you can be safely retrieved from the island.

Cave Lodging

Just as you might expect, cave lodging is lodging that is located inside of a cave. Just imagine spending the night 70 feet or more below ground. Here, the climate will remain a constant temperature and you can enjoy exploring the surrounding cave formations. If you need absolute dark to sleep at night, that won’t be a problem in a cave hotel when the lights go out!

Space Hotel

From far underground to way in the sky, a space hotel actually allows you to orbit the earth as you enjoy an amazing experience in outer space. Although there currently are no space hotels available for guests, there are a couple different companies that expect to have their space hotels available in 2012. Of course, before you can spend the night in one of these hotels, you will first need to undergo some space training. That way, you can be safe in space while also getting the absolute most from your outer space adventure.

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