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Unusual Hotels: Das Park Hotel in Austria
Telegraph.co.uk

02.06.09_DasParkHotel_01.jpgWe would never think of sewage pipes as a possible structure for a hotel room, but these ones are clean, modern, and functional. Three drain pipes have been converted into a hotel that is located in a public park. They are part of the Das Park Hotel, experimental hotel in Austria.

 
 

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The rooms at the Park Hotel feature full headroom, double bed, storage, light, power, sleeping bags, and blankets. The main complex includes toilets, showers, mini bar, cafeteria etc. The rooms are secured by a key code, so the guests' personal belonging are safe. Probably the most experimental aspect of this hotel is that it operates on the "pay as you wish" system. The customers leave an amount that they can afford and with which they choose to support the project. What are your thoughts? Would you stay at this hotel?


Photos: Telegraph.co.uk & AMNP

Tags

Look!, Austria, Das Park Hotel, Hotel Rooms

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Comments (37)

I really do try and think outside the box but I'd have a hard time doing that inside the sewage pipe.

posted by oakland on February 6th 2009 at 3:18pm
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Something about going outdoors to take a wizz in the middle of the night isn't that appealing....

posted by bepsf on February 6th 2009 at 3:19pm
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When we were kids we used to play in drainage pipes like these, they carry noise like a giant echoing horn. We would hoot and holler to make as much noise as we could. I would expect that these little rooms would carry noise similarly. So, while I wouldn't mind checking out what is was like to take a nap in one, I would not want to share a little park with others in their tubular bedrooms.

posted by morina on February 6th 2009 at 3:36pm
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How does that differ from camping?

I think it is cool. My only concern was feeling closed in but the addition of the tiny window took care of that. Sure, I'd stay there, why not it is an adventure.

posted by alexis on February 6th 2009 at 3:39pm
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Creepy.

posted by Henrietta the Terrible on February 6th 2009 at 3:44pm
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I'm with oakland...these do look like sewer pipes, and who would want to rest their head on that?

posted by suzy8track on February 6th 2009 at 3:49pm
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Suddenly the word "crappy" takes on a whole new meaning...

posted by modtramp on February 6th 2009 at 3:51pm
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I'm intrigued by the "pay as you wish" policy.... I mean, think about it. Really think about it.

posted by K T G on February 6th 2009 at 4:06pm
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Scaryville.

posted by Pigletliver on February 6th 2009 at 4:14pm
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Something about going outdoors to take a wizz in the middle of the night isn't that appealing....

Especially in such a public place. I have no problem with minimal hotels, shared bathrooms, and camping - but walking across what looks like an office complex with my shower gear would be a deal breaker.

posted by OnlyMe on February 6th 2009 at 4:18pm
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If one is going to sleep in a sewer pipe, I think the least one can ask for is a private potty.

posted by LilyC on February 6th 2009 at 4:18pm
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cute idea. Would be better if they did a walking type pipe to the middle complex building (aka, take a wizz indoors)

posted by jen of the north on February 6th 2009 at 4:24pm
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Here is a little detail on the locations of your "amenities," including "'medium' cold showers."

http://www.dasparkhotel.net/infrastructure/gaestefolder_e.pdf

Wow, I've never wanted to be farther from the Danube.

posted by K T G on February 6th 2009 at 4:29pm
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And voyeur friendly. How hard would it be to scale the pipe for a peak down the window?

posted by Shawn on February 6th 2009 at 4:44pm
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I think its a cool idea, I like the design. Its just that they are situated a bit too public I guess more trees or something. I go camping all the time but this is too exposed for my taste.

posted by LoriSF on February 6th 2009 at 4:46pm
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Interesting! This method could be very useful with temporary shelters, especially for the homeless and in case of emergencies (Katrina anyone?). It would be *way* more comfortable, safe and secure than sleeping in doorways and in cardboard boxes, and perfect in a climate like San Francisco which isn't that extreme.

posted by cara on February 6th 2009 at 4:58pm
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I've been in scarier hostels... So I guess it is not outside of my limits

posted by Hollie on February 6th 2009 at 5:08pm
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It's certainly unique. I think people might take advantage of the "pay what you can" policy. Also, how clean would it be? And how cold? I dunno, I probably wouldn't stay there.

posted by Goosebucket on February 6th 2009 at 5:08pm
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I want to believe that this is a one of my weird dreams...

posted by quiltmaster on February 6th 2009 at 5:10pm
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I like it. It's cute. I think it is a better idea to have them kind of hidden, blend in more with the environment--more like a camping feel like LoriSF said.
Hum...
What if it stared rolling down the hill.......

posted by cojaclynsy on February 6th 2009 at 5:31pm
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Cool!! Diogenes would be proud...

posted by saul tornel on February 6th 2009 at 7:24pm
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Nope. I'm envisioning myself opening the door, wearing my bathrobe, blinking in the sunlight... with a bunch of joggers going past.

Sort of my worst nightmare.

posted by shockthebourgeois on February 6th 2009 at 7:25pm
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I think this idea really cool, with some enhancement like joining the pipe together, it can really be something exciting and functional. I really love the idea!

posted by Beerbeer on February 6th 2009 at 8:39pm
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Man, and I thought youth hostels were dreary and dank

posted by holland on February 6th 2009 at 8:52pm
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I love this idea. I am sure these pipes are newly made, not used ones. It would look nicer if they can paint the interior wall with some beautiful colors and maybe create a few more windows so it won't feel so closed-in. Otherwise, it's very cool idea and I would totally check in!

posted by evany on February 6th 2009 at 10:44pm
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bepsf summed up my feelings.

posted by madampince on February 7th 2009 at 2:18am
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The pay what you wish makes it a very interesting idea. Sewage pipes do carry noise like hell and you'd have to get up and go all the way inside to go to the restroom (not what I'd expect at a hotel). Seems very cramped too - if I can't have a real bed, I'm not paying at a hotel - LOL.

posted by ChrisGal on February 7th 2009 at 8:21am
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there's some twisted economic Irony implicit in this Design ....poor kids / basically Orphans in Sowetto >
S. Africa- "live" in these cylinders-protected from the environment, but not from other dangers.

What will we see next? Hostels/Hotels made to look like sleeping beneath the Expressway?
Not exactly what I'd call "embracing" the issue of Homelessness- more like mimicking/mocking it.

(I'll get off my Soapbox now...)

posted by Man_ofSteel on February 7th 2009 at 1:42pm
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I might try it once, in summer, if it looked ok in Real Life. I tend to need to use the bathroom more than once in the night, and that would be something of a problem here, though.

(Like the tent city in the Libyan Sahara where we stayed two nights for the 2007 solar eclipse -- the porta-potties were overly well used and about a city block away! NOT fun at 3 am!)

posted by SherryBinNH on February 7th 2009 at 2:05pm
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I would totally love to try that! Think about it right when you wake up you get to step out into a beautiful park!

posted by Aidenpouge on February 7th 2009 at 3:19pm
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makes me think of centipedes

posted by Kate (NC) on February 7th 2009 at 4:53pm
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OMG! NO! I would be afraid that someone would roll me right down a hill.

posted by wampler on February 7th 2009 at 11:43pm
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I can't get past the window - don't think it would take much for someone to be able to peek in. Plus a few rowdy or drunk people could decide it needs to be pushed.

posted by ChrisGal on February 8th 2009 at 7:31am
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Looks like fun! Though probably only in the warmish months...

posted by lemonadefish on February 8th 2009 at 5:57pm
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There aren't enough flower murals in the world to brighten up these dank septic tanks.

posted by petro on February 8th 2009 at 8:06pm
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Amen petro

posted by ChrisGal on February 9th 2009 at 7:59am
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Good idea to use sewage pipes as ready construction for accomodation. Still, I,too, would be more comfortable/willing to use them if issues like wc and privacy were more elaborately solved.

posted by SillyBug on February 12th 2009 at 9:52am
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