Unique lodging for the budget traveler

October 12, 9:58 PMNY Budget Travel ExaminerSusan Finch

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With travel becoming so specialized for expats seeking out vegan to nudist to high-end luxury vacations, it's no longer necessary to book the same cookie-cutter hotel year after year.

I do often opt for cookie-cutter if it's in a great location in town or offers an amazing discount, but for the most part, I like to find cozy apartments, bed and breakfasts, convents, or funky alternatives. Lodging can enhance just as much of your travel experience as your itinerary of museums, theater, hiking, and culture.

Here's just a few resources for those looking for unique and unusual accommodations. Although not all are budget friendly, they'll serve to spark your creativity for alternate lodging opportunities.

Cave Hotels - Stay in Cappadocia in a real cave... with Internet access!

Convents - Stay in a convent in Italy and enjoy relative peace and quiet, breakfast, and a serene setting at a fraction of the cost.

Temple Stays - Start your vacation with a holy experience among the monks.

Tree House Hotels - Stay in a treehouse cottage from Alaska to Hawaii to Papua New Guinea.

Underwater Hotel - Scuba dive down to the main lobby and sleep underwater in a former research station.

Europe's answer to a countryside RV Park - You can rent apartment style RV's in the European countryside and participate in organized activities with other guests. Some will even let you stay free if you're willing to check it out as a potential real estate investment.

Youth Hostels - You don't have to be a youth, or even young. I've stayed at hostels with 80-something year olds. You can opt for cheap, bunk-bed style lodging, or a private room. I stayed in South Beach in a hostel and paid about $15 a night, 2 blocks from the beach.

Home Swap - Swap homes with someone in another city or even another country. You could be brave and find a stranger via Craigslist in the temporary, sublets, or vacation section. Or consider using an agency. Make sure to have a signed contract and see lots of photos of where you'll be staying.

Lighthouse Hotels - Hit up the New England area and stay in a quaint lighthouse, usually bed and breakfast style.

South American Ranches - Embrace your inner cowboy and cowgirl on an Argentinian ranch.

US Dude Ranches - Dude, a round-up of more than 100 ranches in the US.

New Zealand Home Stay - Stay in a house or farm in someone's home and get an authentic, insider's perspective.

Haunted Hotels - Get creeped out by things that go bump in the night.

Ice Hotel - Entirely made of ice and snow in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden and also one in Montreal. Very cool.

Igloo Hotels - Just in case Ice Hotels aren't interesting enough, you can stay in an igloo instead.

Houseboats - Amsterdam and beyond, stay on a houseboat and be one with the water. (Might wake up wondering why you're laying at a complete slant)

University dorms - Universities all over the world frequently rent out rooms to travelers, usually only during summer months. We stayed in one in Edinburgh and paid nearly half of what we would have gotten just two blocks away. The room was tiny and the bathroom rather uninspired, but it was comfortable, clean, and quiet with free breakfast.