trying to plan a trip, 4-5 days. Please help, i dont have any ideas on where to go. We would like to stay in the states since we will most likely be driving from houston Texas, rather than flying. I am looking for something other than the run of the mill hotels, any price range will do for now. Please reccomend your favorite place to travel and place to stay!

Drive to New Orleans and stay in one of those fancy schmancy hotels (Royal Sonesta, Hotel Dupuy, etc) in the French Quarter.

Or go on a BBQ tour of Kansas City.

Or take a Mississippi River Boat cruise.

The most unique hotel I've ever stayed at is the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California. Over 100 uniquely decorated theme rooms; no two which are the same. Restaurant and cocktail lounge on premises. Room photos/descriptions can be found on the hotel's web-site.

sceneisel, you took the words out of my mouth - I was thinking of the same place! another interesting place is Michael's Inn at niagara falls. Each room has a theme like scarlett o'hara, jungle, orient, etc. dh and I love it there!

Inn at Blackberry Farm in Walland Tenn. in the Smoky Mountains. It is the best place I have every stayed with incredible food and service plus a ton to do in the area. Check out their website (sorry I don't have the link.) Everything represented on the website is true.

For one night, if you are doing the SW, the WigWam Hotel in AZ (shaped like tee pees)

Here are my picks...some are in Mexico though (but you could drive there).

Santa Fe, NM
http://www.innoftheanasazi.com/

Playon de Mismaloya, Mexico
Hotelito Desconcido
http://www.hotelito.info/

Queretaro, Mexico
La Casa De La Marquesa
http://www.lacasadelamarquesa.com/

Alamos, Mexico
http://www.haciendadelossantos.com/

Natchez, Mississippi
Monmouth Plantation House
http://www.monmouthplantation.com/

New Orleans, LA
Soniat House in the French Quarter
http://www.soniathouse.com/

I wasn't exactly sure what you meant by different but these hotels below are drivable and have had ghost sightings...now THAT'S not "run of the mill!"

St. Francisville, LA
http://www.myrtlesplantation.com/

San Antonio, TX
http://mengerhotel.com/page/ntm3/Home_Page.html

Cimarron, NM
http://www.stjamescimarron.com/index.html

The Camelback Inn in Phoenix is incredible! It is a JW Marriott resort. We got a suite and it was AMAZING! It was by far the nicest hotel I've stayed in.
There is a lot to do in the PHoenix area, especially if you like to hike or shop. Old Town Scottsdale is lots of fun and there are tons of places to eat!