It's made for travelers stranded by airport delays or students who want dorm privacy. The Mini Motel has an air mattress, reading light, alarm clock, pillow and a canopy with a frame, all for $39.95.

Some of the best snowboarding, mountain biking and hiking trips take place not in fancy five-star spa hotels but in the most basic hostels, cabins and yurts, barebones accommodations that encourage ...