When was the last time you went on vacation and took more photos of the hotel room than the trip itself? If you’re used to the standard drab room with two double beds and a television from 1993, then it’s time you checked out some cool hotels that offer some of the most interesting and unusual accommodations you’ve ever seen. Whether your family seeks to lounge around surrounded by your favorite cartoon characters or to spend the night in an igloo, we guarantee these one-of-a-kind hotels will be the highlight of your next family vacation.

1. Great Wolf Lodge – Grand Mound, Wa
For the family who wants that “rustic” aesthetic without the hassle of actually having to leave behind electricity and running water, check out the rooms at the Great Wolf Lodge. Their KidsCabins feature their sleeping quarters just for your little cubs that look just like a real log cabin. Now that’s our idea of camping in style. 

2. Players Suite at Hotel Tomo – San Francisco, Ca
If your kids can’t possibly live without their daily dose of Angry Birds then this techie suite, which comes complete with an eight by five foot screen outfitted with a Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3, and a high definition projector. Good luck trying to get your kids out of this suite and into the streets to do some sightseeing! The room even comes with two queen sized beds so they truly may never leave.

3. Nickelodeon Suites Resort – Orlando, Fl
Orlando is already home to Disney World and Universal Studios, so it’s no surprise that they have their very own Nickelodeon resort too. Their KidSuite rooms have a private bedroom just for the kids with themed decorations and even their own television. Your kids will go bonkers when they see their favorite Nick characters covering the walls from floor to ceiling.

4. Western Room at the Fantasyland Hotel - Edmonton, Alberta
Fantasy comes to life at the Fantasyland Hotel, where themed rooms like the Western room feature a stagecoach bed for mom and dad and a jail cell for the little trouble makers. Wild West not doing it for you? Try out their other rooms with equally kid-friendly themes like Polynesian, truck stop, igloo, Roman, and water park.

5. Mickey Mouse Penthouse at the Disneyland Hotel – Anaheim, Ca
Do your kids know their Disney characters better than the alphabet? This self-proclaimed “mouse pad” is for the little ones who are serious Disney fans. The fully furnished chic suite is bursting at the seams with everything Mickey. Rare photos and sketches from the Disney library can be found all over the suite, and everything from the furniture to the carpet has the classic red, black, white, and yellow Mickey motif. With all sorts of Mickey paraphernalia decorating this swanky suite, it’s the ideal hotel room for those families who want the ultimate Disney experience.

6. Dr. Seuss Kids Suites at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Orlando, Fl
Wacky, whimsical, and wild describes this colorful kids suite that is covered from windows to walls with characters and quotes from Dr. Seuss’ beloved books. Just about everything from the lamps to the bed spreads look like they just spilled out of the pages from The Grinch or Green Eggs and Ham.

7. Jumbo Stay – Stockholm, Sweden
Most of the time, you can’t wait to get off the airplane to get to your hotel, but in this case your hotel is an airplane. This Boeing 747named Liv has been transformed into a 27 room hotel. Ideal for travelers en route, this hotel is only a 5-10 minute shuttle ride away from the airport.

8. Travelodge Hotel – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Rather than travel all the way to the islands for an exotic getaway, this Travelodge Hotel brings the ocean right to your room. Dolphins and fish swim overhead while you stow away your belongings in a sunken treasure chest. Kick off your shoes and lay back on your own queen sized bed and you can almost hear the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore. We bet you’ll never look at Travelodge Hotel the same way again.

9. Pirate Room at LEGOLAND – Carlsbad, Ca
The perfect compliment to the amusement park that’s made completely out of LEGOs, the themed rooms at the LEGOLAND resort continue to immerse your little brick lovers in all things LEGO. From the skull and crossbones sheets to the wooden plank wallpaper, buccaneers can settle into their cozy quarters after a full day of exploring the park. Also offered (and equally detailed): an Adventure themed room and a Kingdom themed room.

10. The Helicopter Cottage at the Winvian – Litchfield Hills, Ct
Step past the bright red exterior of this barn and you’ll be greeted by your very own helicopter. That’s right, a 17,000 pound Sea King Pelican Helicopter. While the chopper is too small for sleeping quarters, there is a bar and television set in the fuselage. Outside in the hangar, sit back and relax up against the exterior of the helicopter and take in the views of the surrounding grounds.

11. Barbie Suite at the Palms – Las Vegas, Nv
While Las Vegas probably doesn’t rank high on your list of family vacation destinations, hotels like the Palms Casino Resort make sure that your little one is pampered like a true princess in their exclusive Barbie suite. Great for any girl who ever dreamt of living in Barbie’s dream house, this fabulous pink palace has lots of art deco-era furniture and a mirror decorated with actual Barbie dolls.

12. Kakslauttanen Hotel and Igloo Village – Saariselkä, Finland
If watching the Northern Lights pass over the glass roof of your own private igloo sounds like a dream come true, then book a stay at the Hotel Kakslauttanen. Their Igloo Village, complete with overhead insulated glass roofs, offer unparalleled views of the Northern Lights from late August to late April. During the day, you can look out over the wild and exotic snow-draped landscape.

13. Hello Kitty Suite at Grand Hi-Lai Hotel - Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Just when you thought you’d seen Hello Kitty’s face on just about every pencil, bookbag, and key bobble, she got her own suite at the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel in Taiwan, where the iconic Hello Kitty visage is embossed, engraved, or stitched on just about every surface from the bathroom mirrors to the tables and chairs. The hotel even has it’s own “Kitty House” where guests can shop for limited edition Hello Kitty items.

14. Kate’s Lazy Desert – Landers, Ca
For those parents who want to relive the days of following bands on tour, the Airstream trailers at Kate’s Lazy Meadow in the desert are a funky respite from the traditional hotel room. Created by Kate Pierson of the B-52′s and her partner, Monica Coleman, this West Coast installment is the sister hotel to Kate’s Lazy Meadow in Mount Tremper, Ny. Choose your adventure with an Alaska theme, a hair theme, or Tiki theme and settle in to your brightly colored trailer for some fun in the California sun.

BONUS: How about some hotels that look cool from the outside?

Dog Bark Park Inn – Cottonwood, Id
Climb up the steps to this bed and breakfast and you’ll soon be resting comfortably inside the world’s biggest beagle. Named “Sweet Willy,” there’s room for four, a loft room, and an alcove hidden in the muzzle that offers you a dog’s eye view of the surrounding countryside. The dog-inspired artwork found within this furry bed and breakfast is the handiwork of chainsaw artists (yes, chainsaw artists) Dennis and Frances.

Wigwam Motel – Holbrook, Az
If you’re traveling along route 66, then you should find an excuse to stop in Holbrook, Arizona and spend the night in one of these massive wigwams. Between the classic cars parked out in front of the rooms and the rustic charm, this place sure will instantly transport you back to the late 1950s. This is a great spot if you’re planning on visiting the Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Hubbel Trading Post, or Canyon de Chelly.

With so many themed hotels all around the world, we couldn’t possibly include all of them on our list. What’s the wildest kids hotel room you’ve ever seen?

– Scott Wardell

photo credit: all photos belong to their respective hotels