Cool Lodgings to Stay At That Aren't a Typical Hotel

You know what to expect of a hotel. It's usually set within city limits, is a boxy rectangular shape, and comes with amenities like a pool, breakfast, and rooms with flat-screen TVs.

However, if you're tired of the typical hotel stay, we're here to expand your options.

From teepees to castles, we've got your list of the most unique lodgings around the world so you can spice up your travel life.

The tiny house craze poured over into the hospitality industry and travelers are loving them. Take the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village by Petite Retreats; they have 5 different tiny houses in various sizes with a range of bed options. They're all equipped with charming décor, kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, and bathrooms with showers. While there's not a ton of space, it makes for a unique stay. Check out Petite Retreat's website for tiny houses available all around the U.S.

Metal airstreams were once a popular mode of camping, however, they fell out of favor as the times changed and technology improved. Recently, some people have pulled out these vintage airstreams, renovated them, and made them available to rent for one night to a week's stay. You can find some spacious ones with a trendy décor like those at El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas.

Domes - they're exactly as they sound. These half spherical structures are placed on the ground and offer a unique place to stay, especially if the dome is made of glass or other clear material that allows for visitors to enjoy the stars at night. Not all dome tops are clear though. Some are tent-like domes and others are made of the same material you might find in a pueblo home. The Kakslauttanen Arctic igloo domes are perhaps the most famous in the world.

Yurts were traditionally used by nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, and Turkey, but they've now made their way into the glamping sphere. Comprised of a circular tent with a collapsible framework, yurts have become a popular camping option for those who want more space for a large bed, small kitchenette, and a sitting area. Yurt Lodging provides a state-by-state listing of yurts throughout the U.S.

A treehouse is no longer something you build as a kid, now they're available for a unique stay while on vacation. Some treehouses are simple and have amenities similar to a hotel room, while others are decked out in multiple levels, kitchens, lush bathtubs, and work desks. There are even snow-in, snow-out treehouses at Snow Bear Chalets in Montana.

Ten years ago, it would have sounded absurd for someone to rent another person's apartment, but with rental sites like Airbnb, this is an all too common experience these days. If you prefer a homey, local-like stay in a place with a full kitchen, an apartment rental may be for you. You can book everything from a glitzy loft in a high-rise to a small one-bedroom apartment in a suburb. Some even offer access to community amenities like gyms and pools.

Tipis (or teepees) were the homes of the nomadic Native American tribes of the Great Plains, and similarly to yurts, they've been integrated into many glamp sites around the U.S. Some sites or rental companies advertise teepees as a way to get in tune with nature in a traditionally-native dwelling. However, most are equipped with some comforts like a small bed and electricity.

Castles are no longer just for royals. You can stay in one, too. Castles litter Western and Eastern Europe and many have been refurbished into hotels or Airbnb's. While they can offer breathtaking views, many are historical structures and may be limited in the changes they can make, so keep in mind that not all are accessible to those in wheelchairs and could lack central heating and air.

Bed-and-breakfasts offer an intimate lodging experience because they usually have a limited number of rooms. Expect to get to know the B&B owners and have a homecooked breakfast in the mornings. Be aware that some B&Bs require guests to share a public bathroom, while others have en-suite restrooms.

There's a new trend called glamping and it's redefined the way to stay in a tent. Safari tents are set up on properties and outfitted with beds, ceiling fans, and sometimes even kitchens for a more luxurious stay. On the other hand, there are even some people who rent small two-person tents on their properties set in unique settings like wineries, the desert, farmland, or in their backyard. There's a tent available to rent for every budget.

There's something cozy about booking a cabin stay. Cabins are often found in mountains, woods, by lakes, or in other nature-focused areas. Some cabins offer simplistic stays with only the basics - a bed, bathroom, living room, and kitchen -- while others are a bit more luxurious with stylish furniture and perfectly situated to go on a morning hike or ski escapade.

If you want to fall asleep to the sway of water, book a stay on a boat. In Amsterdam, travelers can stay on a boat in the canal, or when visiting Oakland, on a yacht in the marina. Or perhaps, you prefer a pontoon boathouse on a lake in Michigan or a sailboat in the Caribbean. There's plenty of boats available to book for your lodging, the hard part is choosing between them.

We all know the lyrics, "It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A," but what you may not know is those lyrics are quite true. Some YMCAs offer simple guest rooms with a bed and desk. In addition to air-conditioning, guests can enjoy the facilities of a YMCA like a pool, gym, and free Wi-Fi during their stay.

Ever wanted to know how the other half lives? You can with a mansion vacation rental. Airbnb and HomeAway offer rentals of mansions, chateaus, among many other luxurious home types, though Luxury Retreats is probably your best bet in picking a luxurious vacation rental. You could find everything from pools, to hot tubs, grand bedrooms with spa tubs, wine cellars, and firepits. If you can't afford the nightly fee associated with a staying in these homes, invite some friends or family members to join you and split the cost among everyone. When you're staying in a mansion, there's plenty of rooms for everyone.

Churches, convents, and monasteries have been safe havens for weary travelers for centuries and this practice still continues today. Some places of worship open their doors to travelers, either for free or for a small fee. For instance, those on the Camino de Santiago trail stay in monasteries along the way.

Are you a youthful backpacker with a small budget? Hostels are for you. Hostels offer shared rooms that are usually outfitted in bunk beds and individual lockers per guest. Some rooms are co-ed, while others are single gendered. Expect shared bathrooms and sometimes fees for things like bedding or towels. While it's not fancy and lacks privacy, hostels are affordable and provide ample opportunity to meet other travelers.

If you miss your old college days, you'll be happy to discover that some colleges and universities offer dorm rooms for rent. This is generally only available during the summer or winter breaks and is often quite affordable. While dorm rentals may not offer all the amenities you might want like bedding or a coffeemaker, it's a good option for long-term rentals or for a budgeted vacation.

Witnessing life on a farm can be yours with a simple booking. Renting a room on a farm can occur in multiple ways. Some people on Airbnb may rent out their barn, though there are plenty of Workaway experiences set up on farms., too. If you choose to do a Workaway experience, you essentially agree to help out on a farm in exchange for a free place to stay. This can save you both money and offer a unique lodging experience in another locale.

It seems anything can be transformed into a place to stay, even old railroad cars. Some people have found vintage cabooses or railroad cars and renovated them into cool unique dwellings. You'll generally find railroad cars available on booking sites like Airbnb, though some campgrounds have started to integrate them into their specialized areas along with airstreams and teepees.

If you're not particularly claustrophobic, you may consider staying in a cave. No, we're not suggesting you hike through caverns and camp in a cave. Some hotels or lodging companies have essentially built their property inside caves like the Gamirasu Cave Hotel and Kokopelli's Cave.