8 Unusual, Unique Places to Stay on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time of year associated with families spending time together, in the comfort of your home. Perhaps you fancy doing something different, spending quality time together and having an experience to remember.

Rare Retreats has chosen a selection of unique, unusual family-orientated places to escape. You could opt for a private treehouse (perfect for kids of all ages), a converted rail carriage/caboose, alternatively relax in a yurt listening to the sound of the ocean, or play at being cowboys at Paul Newman's luxury Sundance Resort.

• Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah, USA
• Safari West, Santa Rosa, California, USA
• Ilikai Hotel & Suites, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
• The Canyon Motel & RV Park, Williams, Arizona, USA
• Out 'n' About Treehouse Treesort, Cave Junction, Oregon, USA
• Treebones Resort, Big Sur, California, USA
• The Pines Resort & Conference Center, Bass Lake, California, USA
• Campfire Lodgings, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah Style: Film Location, Cowboy Heaven

The quietude here contrasts sharply with the bustle found at most Utah ski resorts. Sundance Resort lodging harmonizes with the mountain and forest and reflects the overriding values Sundance was built upon. Each of the lodging units is uniquely appointed in a style that integrates with the mountain environment, including rough-hewn wood, warm tones and Native American accents.

Inside Info: Rates from $429 per room, per day.

VIEW DETAILS & BOOK Safari West, Santa Rosa, California Style: Safari Tents

This is an African Tent camp...it works differently than your normal hotel. The heavy lined canvas with thick plastic windows that form the walls is imported from Africa and the furniture is crafted almost entirely on site from local wood.

Inside Info: Rates from $170, double occupancy.

Ilikai Hotel & Suites, Honolulu, Hawaii Style: TV Location

Located in Waikiki, we offer the perfect combination of location and plush in-room comforts. Easily visit Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial and top Oahu area attractions. Then return home to our relaxing oceanfront setting to sink your feet into the white sands of Waikiki Beach, maybe even get in some surfing - or simply bask in the warm sun. The resort-style oceanfront Ilikai Hotel & Suites in Honolulu, Hawaii is located at the entrance to Waikiki Beach and features an array of beautifully appointed suites and guest rooms, some with full kitchens and all at a surprisingly affordable value. Famous setting for the popular TV series, Hawaii Five-O.

Inside Info: From $149 per day, based 2 adults and 2 children.

VIEW DETAILS & BOOK NOW The Canyon Motel & RV Park, Williams, Arizona Style: Trains, Cabooses, Transportation

The Canyon Motel & RV Park aims to preserve all that is beautiful about the American West. Ideal for couples, families, or anyone with a yearning for the peace and solitude of the world's largest forest of Ponderosa pines. Escape from the Ordinary and enjoy a sleepy, rustic lifestyle in the mountains of northern Arizona. Experience the way it was in one of 18 flagstone cottage type rooms built back in the 1940's just off of Historic Route 66. Just try and imagine the way it was.

Inside Info: Rates from $53.95 for small caboose, $105 for large caboose.

Out 'n' About Treehouse Treesort, Cave Junction, Oregon Style: Treehouse

The treesort is on 36 private acres backed up to Siskiyou National Forest land & wilderness with 25 horses, two rocking horses, 4 dogs, & 1 cat usually running around.Majestree Out'n'About is a truly unique place. Part of it's uniqueness has to do with that it is a home grown and based business. There are no locks on the treehouse doors. It is not the Ramada or Hilton in the trees, but is a genuine four star Treesort

.

Inside Info: Rates from $130 per night, based on four people. Breakfast included.

Treebones Resort, Big Sur, California Style: Yurts

Treebones offers a unique lodging and dining experience on California's breathtaking Big Sur coast. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean with spectacular panoramic views in all directions. You can touch the earth here. Nature with a little nurture, with the main lodging venue, the yurts, you have the accessibility to nature of a tent with all the comforts of a cabin! You can sleep under the stars - just enjoy them through the sky dome from the comfort of your own bed. Treebones yurts are spacious and tastefully furnished including: plush queen-sized beds with linens and cozy comforters, a heat source, electric lighting and a hot & cold sink vanity. The yurt floors are polished pine wood with french doors that open to a generous redwood deck with spectacular coastal views.

Inside Info: Rates from $255 for 4 people. There is a two night minimum on weekends & all stays April through October. All stays include a self serve waffle/ homemade granola breakfast with hot coffee and juice. The 16 yurts have plush, comfortable queen sized beds with linens, cozy comforters and colorful quilts. There is a small table & set of chairs, reading lights & plenty of hooks for hanging your gear. There is a sink vanity with hot & cold running water in each yurt with bath & hand towels provided. Help the earth & nix the plastic water bottles-our tap water is 100% pure, right from our own mountain source, we provide some compostable cups next to the sink. Yurters walk 2 - 3 minutes to restroom and shower facilities at the lodge..The yurts have generous redwood view decks with adirondack chairs facing the ocean.

The Pines Resort & Conference Center, Bass Lake, California Style: Film Location

Overlooking the emerald waters of Bass Lake, the Pines Resort is just one hour northeast of Fresno, California and 17 miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. Whether you're building family memories, looking for a romantic getaway, a memorable wedding, or a corporate meeting, The Pines Resort provides a magnificent experience. People from all over the world visit Bass Lake and The Pines Resort for the natural beauty, recreational activities, deluxe accommodations and mountain hospitality. The perfect location for the film/movie 'The Great Outdoors' starring John Candy & Dan Ackroyd.

Inside Info: Rates from $119 per night, based on chalet accommodation.

Campfire Lodgings, Asheville, North Carolina Style: Yurts, Cabins

Located on Goldview Knob, Campfire Lodgings is just ten minutes North of Asheville, North Carolina. With over 100 acres of woods and numerous trails, Campfire Lodgings offers a variety of mountain lodging possibilities from fully furnished cabins and yurts to tent and RV sites.

Inside Info: Rates from $135 per night for yurt accommodation (sleeps 2), $150 per night for Cabin (sleeps 4). Yurt includes: Cathedral ceiling w/ dome skylight; Kitchen area with microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker; 500 sq. ft. (approx.) deck area w/gas grill and picnic table; Check-in: 3pm; check-out: 11am; NOTE: Smoking and candles are not allowed in the Yurt. Gas log fireplace; Cable TV and DVD; Linens furnished; Dressing area with vanity; Infant crib available; Air conditioning and heaters; Two yurts include bathrooms, while the other includes a dressing area.

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