As much as a vacation is all about the destination, I've always gone out of my way to find accommodations that can satisfy my love of aesthetics. Even in my hosteling days, weird and a little out of the way would win out over centrally located but generic. I'll take the airstream camper or the crazy, retro motel over the sterile hotel room every time. Cool hotels are my kyptonite. But cool hotels that are actually affordable? Now that's a winning combo.

Check out the list below to see some of the honest-to-goodness coolest digs on our site and start dreaming about your next vacay:

Night Hotel Theater District | New York City, NY

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Black is serious, sleek, sexy, and all over the aptly named Night Hotel Theater District. To no surprise, there are plenty of cool hotels in NYC, but this one makes a bold statement by sticking to an almost entirely black-and-white color palette.

Decor style: urban or modern with lots of bold black-and-white prints plus chrome accents
Standout feature: the sexy and risqué art collection on the lobby walls that makes them pop with a little oo-la-la

The Skylands Manor | Ringwood, NJ

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Ever wanted to laze about your stately manor without a care in the world, but found becoming a duke or duchess too difficult? Enter, The Skylands Manor. Who knew such a magical place was tucked away in New Jersey?

Decor style: opulent, 19th-century grandeur, crystal chandeliers and vaulted ceilings included
Standout feature: the enormous carved-oak mantle in the grand dining room

Arctic Glass Igloos | Sinettä, Finland

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We promise you've never stayed anywhere quite like these igloos, which are part of a Great Value Vacations tour of Finland. The rooms are smaller, but the geodome design of the massive skylight more than makes up for it!

Decor style: minimalist Scandinavian with the huge domed windows providing a view of the landscape
Standout feature: the Aurora Alarm, which scans the skies for the northern lights only waking you if it finds them

Freehand Hotel | Chicago, IL

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The Freehand Hotel is Hip with a capital H. While there might be no shortage of cool hotels in Chicago, this might be the only one you want to live in. And if that isn't enough, the hotel's interior designers have also worked for stars including Gwenyth Paltrow and Kate Hudson.

Decor style: upscale bohemian with lots of funky textiles, wood accents, and a mix of textures
Standout feature: the lobby's wooden, MCM-style starburst light fixtures

ibis Styles Barcelona City Bogatell Hotel | Barcelona, Spain

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Barcelona is known for its brash, colorful vibe and the stunning (and mind-bending) architecture of Antoni Gaudí. This ibis Styles hotel certainly matches the vibe, from the bold patterned wallpaper accenting the bedrooms to the killer rooftop pool.

Decor style: funky modern, meaning fun prints, bright colors, and a mishmash of textures abound
Standout feature: The busy black-and-white graphic wallpaper in the breakfast area is sure to wake you up if the espresso doesn't!

The Verb Hotel | Boston, MA

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Literally across the street from famous Fenway Park, The Verb Hotel practically screams "cool." Originally opened in 1959, the place pays homage to its roots with a retro vibe that somehow manages not to feel dated. Want zebra carpets? Check. Huge murals? Check. There's even a massive record collection for guests to peruse.

Decor style: updated retro with lots of inspiration pulled from the music of the '50s and '60s
Standout feature: definitely the Mondrian-inspired, stained-glass windows that add the most unexpected pop of color to rooms and the poolside

Pampered Wilderness | Olympia, WA

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At Pampered Wilderness, you get your fill of the great outdoors without having to stray too far from exceptional comfort. The white tents provide a romantic atmosphere while rooms combine rustic elements with country chic.

Decor style: basically it's glamping to the max with finished wood floors and sturdy beams plus bright linens and mason-jar candles
Standout feature: the snack basket, which includes the star of every outdoors outing: s'mores ingredients