9 Fun and Funky Vacation Hotel Stays

Traveling on a budget? No need to snuggle with bedbugs in a dingy roadside motel. Instead, try one of these cheap and funky hotels, inns, campsites or bed-and-breakfasts in the U.S. and Canada. Among them, you'll find an Idaho dog-shaped inn and a spherical hotel that floats in a British Columbia rain forest.

You don't need to be rich to create lasting summer vacation memories if you're staying at one of these one-night wonders.

Hotel: Dog Bark Park Inn, Cottonwood, Idaho.

Description: Amid North Idaho's rolling fields of bluegrass and barley, the Dog Bark Park Inn welcomes two-legged and four-legged visitors alike.

Climb up an exterior flight of stairs to access the 35-foot-tall, beagle-shaped interior's accommodations. The beagle is the largest (wooden) one in the world, according to the woodcarving artists who host the B&B and created the hound. Each stay offers a queen-sized bed located in the dog's belly, with two twin beds in the level above, a full bath, games and full breakfast.

Rates: $86 to $92 per night; dogs welcome for an extra $10 fee.

Hotel: Wigwam Motel, San Bernadino, Calif.

Description: On famous U.S. Route 66, the Wigwam Motel has welcomed families since 1949, whether arriving then by station wagon or now by hybrid car. In California's lazy and warm Inland Empire, the Wigwam's 19 30-foot-tall teepees encircle a pool. Each wigwam is made from wood, concrete and sun-friendly stucco, and all come equipped with a Serta Perfect Sleeper bed, free Wi-Fi and HBO. Not authentic by a long shot, but definitely hits that kitschy-cool spot.

Rates: Varies, but average around $77 per night single occupancy and $88 per night double occupancy.

Hotel: Jailer's Inn, Bardstown, Ky.

Description: For almost 200 years, this building functioned as the Nelson County Jail in Bardstown, Ky., now known as the "Bourbon Capital of the World." Today, Jailer's Inn graciously welcomes visitors with antique-decorated rooms. You also can opt to stay in "The Jail Cell," a black-and-white room with two stark bunks. But unlike a prisoner, you'll get a full breakfast (no, not gruel and moldy bread) and a private bath.

Rates: $80 to $145 per night depending on furnishings.

Hotel: Free Spirit Spheres, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia.

Description: At Vancouver Island's Free Spirit Spheres, two handcrafted wooden spheres float in maple and cedar trees -- perfect for anyone who'd like nothing more than time alone with nature.

The Eve is a mere 9 feet in diameter, but packs a bed into the room. The Eryn provides 10.5 feet for a bed, loft, minifridge, cupboards and dishes. For a small bump in price, a third sphere, the Melody, offers a yellow fiberglass sphere with rich black walnut interior and a Murphy bed. While the orbs sound like child's play, these sophisticated spheres are for the over-16 set only.

Rates: $135 to $205 per night, with a discount for two-night stays.

Next >

Bankrate.com is the Web's leading aggregator of information on financial products including mortgages, credit cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Visit Bankrate.com to get the tools and information that can help you make the best financial decisions.