By Waheeda Harris
Tired of the conventional beige box hotel room? Get off the beaten path with these unusual places to stay.
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- No roads lead to the northern, solar-powered <a href="http://blachfordlakelodge.com/">Blanchford Lake Lodge</a>, a 20-minute flight by charter plane from Yellowknife. Sleep in the main lodge or log cabins. The lodge was a recent choice of the Duke and Duchess of Kent (Prince William and Kate Middleton) during their visit to Canada.
- Blachford Lake Lodge, Northwest Territories
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- Sleep for a night as the First Nations people did in one of the three traditionally built teepees at the <a href="http://www.crossriver.ca/rockiesteepeetipitepeeaccommodation.asp">Cross River Wilderness Centre</a> in the Rocky Mountains near Banff National Park. One difference: you can take a dip in the hot tub before bed. Guests have access to the Longhouse Cook Tent for meal preparation.
- Cross River Wilderness Centre, Alberta
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- The exclusive <a href="http://beachhouse.driftwoodcove.ca/journey.htm">Driftwood Cove Beach House</a> retreat on Lasqueti Island is a mere 100 km from Vancouver, after a ferry from Vancouver Island’s French Creek and a bike ride of 8.5 km to this secluded beach-front property powered by solar energy.
- Driftwood Cove Beach House, British Columbia
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- A half-hour north of Prince Arthur near the shores of Emma Lake, <a href="http://florabora.ca/">Flora Bora Lodging</a> has two circular yurts—the Yeti’s Yurt or Betty’s Abode—below the forest canopy. Gaze at the stars through the five-foot ceiling dome.
- Flora Bora Forest Lodging, Saskatchewan
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- Found in the treetops in Qualicum Bay, Vancouver Island, the three <a href="http://www.freespiritspheres.com/">Free Spirit Spheres</a>—named Eryn, Eve and Melody—will gently rock you to sleep with the tree movements. Each sphere is wired for music. It's a perfect spot for audiophile treehuggers to experience surround sound.
- Free Spirit Spheres, British Columbia
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- Rooms at the <a href="http://www.hihostels.ca/OntarioEast/en/index.aspx?sortcode=2.0">Ottawa Jail Hostel</a> were cells for inmates from 1862 to 1972, and are now somewhat cozier, budget-friendly accommodations with Wi-Fi and continental breakfast included.
- HI Ottawa Jail Hostel, Ontario
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- Within the Haida Gwaii UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern BC, the four <a href="http://www.beachcabins.com/">Rapid Richie's Beach Cabins</a> are on Graham Island, accessible only by seaplane or ferry. An ideal spot to watch whales, these eco-cabins have solar showers, propane or wood heat and are cell-phone-friendly but Internet-free.<br />
- Photo: Jason Addy
- Rapid Richie’s Beach Cabins, British Columbia
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- Photo: Jason Addy
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- The <a href="http://www.sepaq.com/hebergement/camping_igloo/">Parc National du Bic igloos</a> can be reached via a 1-km snowshoe or ski trek from the park's visitor centre. Wood for a campfire is provided. Bring a friend to snuggle with, as the park requires two adults per igloo.
- Bic National Park Igloos, Quebec
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- <a href="http://www.tagishwildernesslodge.com/">Tagish Wildnerness Lodge</a> is an hour from Whitehorse but to get there you'll have to choose from snowmobile or boat, as its final leg is inaccessible by road. The four cabins have cast-iron woodstoves and solar lights. No more than eight guests are allowed at this intimate place well off the grid.
- Tagish Wilderness Lodge, Yukon
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- Built in 1875, the 69-foot-tall formerly operational <a href="http://www.westpointlighthouse.com/">Westpoint Lighthouse</a> has two historic rooms for overnight guests: the Tower Room in the actual lighthouse and the Keeper’s Quarters in the attached museum, where the original lighthouse keeper's family lived.
- Westpoint Lighthouse
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Stay, Dine, Do