Travelers, thrill-seekers, and anyone bored with vanilla hotel offerings, gather around.
These accommodations are not just stays but journeys into the whimsical, wild, and downright weird.
So, strap in as we dive deep and dig up America’s weirdest hotel experiences.
You won’t just rest your head; you’ll expand your mind!
Table of Contents
1. Dog Bark Park Inn, Idaho
Imagine sleeping inside a giant beagle. At the Dog Bark Park Inn, guests experience exactly that. This bed and breakfast celebrates canine companionship with its unique architecture, including a beagle-shaped building named Sweet Willy. The interior is decorated with numerous dog carvings, all created by the owners who are professional chain saw artists.
Located in rural Idaho, the inn provides a cozy retreat with scenic views of prairie lands and mountain ranges. It’s a charming spot for dog lovers and those looking for a stay that’s out of the ordinary.
The inn also offers custom-made dog carvings, adding a personal touch to its whimsical theme.
Why It’s Weird: It’s not every day you get to sleep in a building shaped like a dog, making it a truly unique find on this list.
2. Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Florida
Dive into your room at Jules’ Undersea Lodge, the United States’ only underwater hotel. Located at the bottom of a lagoon, the only way to reach your room is by scuba diving 21 feet beneath the surface. The lodge offers a surreal experience as guests are surrounded by marine life with expansive windows looking into the ocean depths.
The hotel began as a research lab in the 1970s before being converted to accommodate adventurous overnight guests. The experience includes underwater pizza delivery and the chance to take part in marine research projects.
Each stay at Jules’ ensures a memorable dive and a unique tale to tell back on land.
Why It’s Weird: Staying underwater requires a dive just to reach your bed, making it an outlandish adventure for most travelers.
3. The Liberty Hotel, Massachusetts
The Liberty Hotel in Boston offers a luxurious stay with a twist—it was once the historic Charles Street Jail. The property has transformed cells into chic rooms while retaining much of the original structure, including the jail’s iconic rotunda and windows.
Guests can dine in what used to be jail cells, now part of the hotel’s gourmet restaurant. This blend of history and luxury provides a unique backdrop for travelers seeking a story with their stay.
Special events and tours discuss the site’s history, adding an educational component to your visit.
Why It’s Weird: Sleeping in a former jail cell offers an intriguing mix of comfort and history, appealing to those fascinated by America’s past.
4. Kokopelli Cave Bed and Breakfast, New Mexico
Carved into the cliffs of New Mexico, Kokopelli Cave Bed and Breakfast offers a private retreat 70 feet below the surface. This unique lodging is accessed by walking down a sloped path and through a cliffside door, leading guests into a fully furnished cave dwelling.
The cave features all modern amenities including a kitchen, waterfall shower, and a flagstone hot tub, blending rustic charm with comfort. The views of the La Plata River valley are breathtaking from the cliffside windows.
The serene isolation and unusual accommodation make for a peaceful yet adventurous getaway.
Why It’s Weird: Living in a modernized cave brings a prehistoric touch to your vacation, making it an extraordinary experience.
5. The Shady Dell, Arizona
Step back in time at The Shady Dell, where guests sleep in lovingly restored vintage trailers from the 1950s. Each trailer features period-specific decor and amenities, such as black-and-white televisions and vintage radios, offering a nostalgic trip to the past.
The park includes a vintage bus, a yacht, and a tiki-themed trailer, each with its own unique flair. Located in Bisbee, Arizona, this retro retreat offers a glimpse into mid-century American life.
Guests can enjoy vintage board games and read period magazines, fully immersing themselves in the era.
Why It’s Weird: A vacation in a 1950s trailer park brings a quirky historical element that’s hard to find anywhere else.
6. Winvian Farm, Connecticut
Winvian Farm breaks the mold with its eclectic collection of themed cottages, each offering a distinct experience. From a fully restored 1968 Sikorsky Sea King Pelican HH3F helicopter integrated into the Helicopter cottage, to a secret society-themed hideaway, each stay promises something extraordinary.
Set in the picturesque Litchfield Hills, the cottages are surrounded by 113 acres of countryside, providing a private and luxurious escape. Guests can also engage in activities like spa treatments and gourmet dining.
The creative and whimsical themes provide guests with more than just a stay, but a story to share.
Why It’s Weird: Each cottage offers an unorthodox theme that transforms a typical hotel stay into a fantastical experience.
7. The Queen Mary, California
Moored permanently in Long Beach, The Queen Mary serves as both a historical landmark and a unique hotel. Guests can stay in original staterooms of this retired ocean liner that crossed the Atlantic Ocean numerous times in the mid-20th century.
Now a floating hotel, it offers tours of its haunted sections and history-rich exhibits, including its stint as a troopship during World War II.
Staying on The Queen Mary combines luxury with a palpable sense of history, making it a fascinating destination for history buffs and maritime enthusiasts.
Why It’s Weird: The chance to sleep on an authentic ocean liner blends nautical adventure with a touch of the paranormal.
8. McMenamins Kennedy School, Oregon
Once an elementary school, McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland has been transformed into a boutique hotel where guests can sleep in former classrooms—complete with original chalkboards and cloakrooms. The hotel features a restaurant, multiple bars, a movie theater, and a soaking pool, ensuring there’s plenty to do on site.
The preservation of the school’s original features, such as wooden floors and vintage schoolhouse decor, adds to the charm and nostalgia of the experience.
This unique establishment encourages guests to “enjoy a little detention” with a stay that’s both educational and entertaining.
Why It’s Weird: A night in a classroom-turned-hotel room offers a whimsical return to childhood school days.
9. The Hobbit House, Montana
Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” this hotel offers guests the chance to stay in a real-life hobbit house. Tucked into the side of a hill, the Hobbit House features circular doors, rustic windows, and detailed interior woodwork that captures the spirit of the Shire.
The surrounding area is designed to resemble the landscapes of Middle-earth, complete with the Baggins’ home and artifacts from the world of hobbits.
This enchanting retreat is perfect for fans of the series and those looking for a peaceful getaway connected to nature and fantasy.
Why It’s Weird: Staying in a hobbit house offers a magical escape into a fantasy world rarely experienced in real life.
10. The Aurora Express, Alaska
The Aurora Express is a bed and breakfast comprised of authentically restored railroad cars on the outskirts of Fairbanks. Each car is themed to reflect different periods in Alaskan history, from the Gold Rush days to the era of the Alaskan railroad.
Perched on the side of a hill overlooking the Tanana Valley, guests enjoy breathtaking views and might even catch the Northern Lights from their unique accommodations.
This historical journey through themed cars provides a captivating narrative to every stay.
Why It’s Weird: Sleeping in a historic train car that immerses guests in the rich history of Alaska offers a rare, immersive experience.
11. The UFO Futuro House, Tennessee
Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, The UFO Futuro House offers a stay that’s truly out of this world. Modeled after a UFO, this hotel’s futuristic design and alien-themed decor provide a space-themed experience. The interior is furnished with retro-futuristic furniture and colorful lighting, enhancing the extraterrestrial vibe.
Surrounded by lush forestry, the location offers privacy and a great spot for stargazing, making it perfect for those who want to ponder the cosmos or enjoy a unique retreat.
The futuristic and isolated feel makes every stay an interstellar adventure.
Why It’s Weird: A night in a UFO-inspired hotel brings science fiction to life, providing an immersive space experience.
12. The Vintages Trailer Resort, Oregon
The Vintages Trailer Resort showcases a collection of 35 beautifully restored vintage travel trailers in Oregon’s wine country. Each trailer is individually themed and offers amenities like gourmet coffee, plush robes, and outdoor grills. The resort also provides bicycles for exploring the vineyards and nearby attractions.
The resort combines the charm of vintage Americana with modern comforts, creating a unique glamping experience amidst some of Oregon’s finest wineries.
This blend of old and new, along with the picturesque setting, makes for a delightful retreat.
Why It’s Weird: Glamping in a vintage trailer offers a taste of nostalgic luxury amidst the backdrop of Oregon’s scenic vineyards.
13. The Ice Hotel, Alaska
Built afresh each winter from ice and snow, The Ice Hotel offers an ephemeral stay that melts away with the season. Each room is carved with artistic designs, from ice sculptures to frozen furniture, providing guests with an ethereal arctic experience.
Located just outside Fairbanks, the hotel features an ice bar, an ice chapel, and even ice glasses from which to drink hot beverages, ensuring guests stay cozy despite the sub-zero temperatures.
This temporary art installation and hotel combined, offers a rare opportunity to sleep in a room made entirely of ice.
Why It’s Weird: Staying in a hotel that has to be rebuilt every year offers a novel and chilly adventure unique to colder climates.
14. The Library Hotel, New York
In the heart of New York City, The Library Hotel’s concept is inspired by the Dewey Decimal System. Each of the ten floors is themed according to one of the system’s categories, with rooms filled with books and art related to topics ranging from philosophy to technology.
Guests can indulge in a literary escape in the heart of Manhattan, surrounded by thousands of books in both common areas and private rooms.
This bibliophilic retreat offers a quiet, contemplative environment, a stark contrast to the bustling city outside.
Why It’s Weird: A hotel organized by a library classification system invites guests to a scholarly haven in the middle of a metropolitan whirl.
15. The Clown Motel, Nevada
Located next to an old miners’ cemetery, The Clown Motel is a must-stay for anyone who loves or fears clowns. Each room is clown-themed, filled with figurines, paintings, and books about clowns, adding to the eerie atmosphere heightened by its proximity to the cemetery.
The motel offers a playful yet chilling experience in the desert town of Tonopah, attracting thrill-seekers and horror enthusiasts alike.
This unique lodging provides not just a place to stay but a brush with the uncanny.
Why It’s Weird: Sleeping among hundreds of clowns with a graveyard next door offers a blend of the playful and the spooky.
16. The Beer Barrel Bedroom, Ohio
For beer enthusiasts, The Beer Barrel Bedroom in Ohio takes lodging to a new level. This hotel room is constructed inside a massive, refurbished beer barrel that once held over 32,000 gallons of beer. The cozy interior features a custom-built bed and the original wood of the barrel, preserving its rustic charm.
Located at a brewery, guests can enjoy brewery tours and sample local brews, making it a perfect spot for those looking to combine their love for travel and beer.
This unusual hotel room offers a snug, aromatic experience that’s distinctly hoppy.
Why It’s Weird: Staying in an actual beer barrel immerses guests in a brewery experience like no other.
17. Giraffe Manor, California
Giraffe Manor, inspired by its namesake in Nairobi, allows guests to interact with giraffes right from their windows. This hotel in California replicates the experience, with giraffes poking their heads into the windows to greet guests during breakfast.
The manor is set within a wildlife conservation area, offering guided walks and educational talks about giraffe conservation and wildlife care.
This close encounter with one of nature’s tallest creatures offers a gentle and serene experience.
Why It’s Weird: Breakfast with giraffes peering through your window offers an enchanting wildlife interaction unmatched by typical hotel stays.
18. Hang Nga Guesthouse, Vietnam
Often called the ‘Crazy House,’ this architectural wonder in Vietnam resembles a giant tree with surreal, organic shapes. Rooms are themed around animals and elements of nature, with furnishings that defy conventional designs.
Designed by architect Đặng Việt Nga, this guesthouse challenges traditional architecture and offers guests a stay in a living art piece.
The whimsical and topsy-turvy design makes it a visual feast and a playful place to explore.
Why It’s Weird: Living in a building that feels like a whimsical forest challenges the norms of architectural design and offers an unforgettable visual and spatial experience.
19. The Propeller Island City Lodge, Germany
This Berlin-based hotel offers rooms that are each a unique piece of art. From a coffin-shaped bed room to an upside-down room where furniture hangs from the ceiling, the creativity is boundless. Artist Lars Stroschen has designed an environment where each room challenges guests’ perceptions and offers an immersive artistic experience.
The hotel functions as a live-in gallery with rooms that spark imagination and perhaps a bit of disorientation.
This extraordinary art installation of a hotel provides a stay that’s as thought-provoking as it is comfortable.
Why It’s Weird: Sleeping in an art installation turns a hotel stay into an interactive art experience, blending surrealism with hospitality.
20. Free Spirit Spheres, Canada
Suspended amidst the forest of Vancouver Island, Free Spirit Spheres offer a unique treehouse experience with spherical rooms hanging from the trees. Accessible via suspension bridges, these orbs are nestled high above the forest floor, providing panoramic views of the surrounding woods.
These spherical treehouses are designed to blend into the natural environment, providing a tranquil and intimate connection with nature.
The experience of sleeping suspended in a forest canopy offers a peaceful retreat from the everyday, with a gentle sway that soothes the soul.
Why It’s Weird: Staying in a floating sphere amidst the treetops offers a serene and almost otherworldly treehouse experience.