1. Jules' Undersea Lodge
Image courtesy of Jules' Undersea Lodge
Jules' Undersea Lodge, named after Jules Verne (author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), is located in Key Largo, Florida. The lodge was originally built as a research laboratory to explore the continental shelf. The world's first underwater hotel, Jules' Undersea Lodge is also the first underwater research lab to be made available to average people.
2. Cedar House Inn & Yurts
Photo courtesy of Cedar House Inn & Yurts
At Cedar House Inn & Yurts, guests can choose to sleep in one of two yurts on the property. Each yurt can serve two adults comfortably, featuring a queen-size canopy bed. The yurts sit on wooden decks supported by 4x4 posts, and they are air-conditioned, heated and include toilet facilities. In addition to the yurts, two rooms are available in the main building. Rates are $105 to $115 per night for the yurts and the rooms.
3. Prospect Hill Plantation Inn
Charlottesville, VirginiaThe Sheehan family, innkeepers of this 18th-century plantation on 50 acres of manicured grounds with a pool and gardens, invites guests to join them for a wine reception and five-course dinner as part of the experience at this bed and breakfast. In addition to five guest rooms in the manor house, there are the boys' cabin, circa 1699, the oldest building on the grounds; the 1720s summer kitchen cottage; the 1740s overseer's cottage; the 1790 slave quarters, with two rooms; the 1850s carriage house suite; the groom's quarters, above the carriage house; and Sanco Pansy's cottage, originally the residence of a former slave.
4. Mepkin Abbey
Moncks Corner, South CarolinaThis monastery offers accommodations to people for short (one to six nights) retreats and long-term (30-day) stays. Visitors observe the same silence as the monks, eat the same vegetarian meals and can take part in the prayer services. The monks of Mepkin Abbey belong to the worldwide Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. They are commonly called Trappists, a reference to the mid-1600s monastery of LaTrappe in France.
5. Alexander House Booklovers' Bed and Breakfast
Princess Anne, MarylandEach room at this Queen Anne Victorian offers a realistic interpretation of a famous author's room in his or her time: Langston Hughes, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain and Jane Austen. There are no phones, televisions or computers -- but there is a Booklovers' Gift Shop. One of the innkeepers is is a retired journalist and teacher who now writes books and plays. Four guest rooms are available. Rates range from $80 to $150 per night.