I was talking to one of our customers the other day who told me about this new trend in overnight lodging that has started in Germany. Hay Hotels (Heuhotels). Yes, Hay Hotels. You spend the night in a barn, sleeping on a pile of hay. My initial reaction was “You’ve got to be kidding me,” but as I did some research into the matter, it actually seems like a fairly fun and unique experience. Hay Hotels are currently the most popular in Germany, but the concept is catching on and spreading throughout Europe.

Most of these Hay Hotels can be found in the northern region of Germany, and also Lower Saxony near Lake Constance. There are actually hundreds of these facilities, which are located on beautiful plots of rural land, usually on working farms. This makes it a particularly fun experience for travelers with children. Many Hay Hotels offer the chance to interact with farm animals, tour the untouched countryside, go on horseback rides, and more.

You can bring your own sleeping bag, or some hotels offer the ability to rent one for the night. The hotels are also incredibly affordable; rates can be as low as 8 euros a night, and a homemade breakfast is usually included. The people that run the Heuhotels are generally very accommodating and friendly.

If you are planning on staying at a Hay Hotel, it’s probably advisable to rent a car, as most Heuhotels are somewhat off the beaten path. It’s best to try and find a place with lots of fun activities so that you can make a whole day out of the experience. Spending the night at a Hay Hotel is a unique and fun traveling experience, not to mention that it can save you a lot of money on your lodging expenses.

Safe Travels,

Ted Phelps

Customer Travel Consultant

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