America’s got no shortage of extravagantly themed hotels that transport its guests to another time or another place. But to discover the truly offbeat and quirky properties dishing up heaping servings of kitsch, here’s where you need to go.
The Big Idaho Potato Hotel (Eagle, ID)
4 Stars | Website | Boise International Airport
2 | Private backyard; In-room bathtub; In-room fireplace | 0
Dowtown Boise; Union Pacific Railroad; National Guard Training Facility
After touring the country to commemorate the Idaho Potato Company’s 75th anniversary, this colossal six-ton, 28-foot-long spud finally put down roots on the outskirts of Boise, where it was converted into an energy-efficient one-bedroom rental. Just across the lawn is a spa-like outhouse with a fireplace, jacuzzi, and skylight to encourage stargazing.
The Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos (Los Alamos, CA)
4 Stars | Website | Santa Maria Public Airport
6 | Free WiFi; Hot tub; In-room fireplace | 1
Oak Park; River View Park; Los Olivos Park
Though it might appear like any old 19th-century Victorian pile on the outside, the interiors of this wine country bed and breakfast are a strange, yet romantic experience. Inside are six distinctly themed rooms—from an Ancient Egyptian reverie to a pirate fantasy and even a suite with a 1950s Cadillac convertible bed. “The Vick” fools around with all the senses to bring each theme to life, adding in immersive musical playlists, custom fragrances, and hand-painted murals.
Shady Dell Vintage Trailer Court (Bisbee, AZ)
4 Stars | Website | Tucson International Airport
8 | WiFi; Parking; Smoke-free property | 1
Queen Mine Tour; Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum; Lavender Pit
The 1950s kitsch at Shady Dell begins with the trailers themselves. The clunky midcentury RVs have been creatively revamped with vintage decoration like old record players that play retro vinyls and black and white TVs. (Luckily, they’re also equipped with air conditioning to beat the oppressive Arizona heat.) Don’t miss a meal at Dot’s Diner, a throwback watering hole serving Americana comfort food on the weekends.
The Black Swan Inn (Pocatello, ID)
3 Stars | Website | Pocatello Regional Airport
14 | Free WiFi; Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms; Hot tub | 1
Bonneville Community Park; Bannock Bark Park; Olympus Park
Although this adults-only inn sits near some of America’s most cherished national parks, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton, you might find The Black Swan an even wilder destination. Each of the 14 suites is an imaginative manifestation of fantastical themes like Romeo and Juliet, Arabian Nights, and Mayan Rainforest, complete with museum-worthy artwork and custom furniture that wouldn’t look out of place on a movie set.
Jules’ Undersea Lodge (Key Largo, FL)
4 Stars | Website | Miami International Airport
2 | 1 outdoor pool; On-site boutique; Room service | 0
All Keys Cycles; Largo Cargo; Key Largo Art Gallery
Submerged 30 feet below the ocean’s surface, the two-bedroom Jules’ Undersea Lodge has the distinction of being the world’s first-ever underwater hotel. Intrepid guests famously have to scuba dive into their watertight retrofuturistic chambers, which are equipped with a number of surprising on-land amenities, including a fully stocked minibar and Wi-Fi.
Cove Haven Resort (Lakeville, PA)
3 Stars | Website | Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport
245 | Free WiFi; Fitness center; 2 outdoor pools; Nightclub | 1
Lake Wallenpaupack; Promised Land State Park; The Stourbridge Line Train Excursions
The days of the Poconos being dubbed “America’s Honeymoon Capital” may be long gone, but there’s still one resort that takes the mountainous region’s former moniker to heart. We’re talking heart-shaped pools, rooms with circular beds and mirrored ceilings, and even a seven-foot-tall champagne glass whirlpool—you know, just a few of the disarmingly corny draws at Cove Haven that are sure to start any honeymoon off right.
