Just cause Fall is quickly approaching doesn't mean your vacation plans have to come to a halt. If you've got the travel bug but are sick and tired of staying in cookie-cutter hotels and battling the crowds at the most popular tourist attractions (cause your hotel concierge sent you there), try something new. Check out these five online tools that will help you plan an affordable and unique vacation like you've never had before.

• Airbnb — This website allows "hosts" to rent out their apartments, bedrooms, living rooms, or entire houses to guests on the cheap. Not just a place to rest your head at night, Airbnb hosts are known for having a knack for hospitality: tea, coffee, muffins, and even sometimes a home-cooked meal await you in the morning, while other hosts act as tour guides for their guests. It's a great way to see a new place from a local's perspective, and save some money on lodging.
• Glamping Hub — Want to dip your toes in the outdoors but don't want to feel like you're roughing it? Glamping Hub lets you browse through and book some amazing outdoor accommodations so you can still feel in touch with nature, but get high class amenities like an actual bed, 600-thread count sheets, beachfront views, and even shopping and laundry services so you can stay fresh while you relax, all at extremely affordable prices.

See the rest of the list after the break!

I love to travel, so if there's ever a way for me to take a last-minute jaunt away from home, I'm in. Thankfully there's a new app in town that can make booking a last-minute hotel room a breeze. Called HotelTonight (Free) this app offers up stylish hotel rooms at low prices. Booking right through the app, you won't have to call, email, or bust out any other gadgets to reserve your room. HotelTonight gifted me with $200 in credits to check out the app myself, and below, you'll learn more about how it works along with how my staycation went last weekend.

How It Works

The budget-minded staff at HotelTonight partner up with hip, classy, and affordable hotels in each available city to offer great rates for last-minute bookings. The app gives you three hotel options per night starting at 12 p.m., and you have until the offers close at 2 a.m. to book the room and secure the deal.

Reserving a Room

Grabbing a room couldn't be easier. Just fire up the app, take a tour of the three available hotels (hotel pages include parking, room service, and amenity info, along with a map and photos), and once you've made your decision just click the "Book a Room" button on your hotel of choice. If it's your first time, you'll be asked to put in your credit card information, and HotelTonight will automatically factor in any credits you've accumulated (you get $25 in credits just for signing up, and more if you refer a friend), and charge your card accordingly. I used it myself over the past weekend and found it super easy to book a room and I got two confirmations sent to me — one via email, and one stored inside the app.

Continue reading about my experience with HotelTonight (including a few hiccups I experienced along the way) after the break.