What could be more down to earth than calling it a day and spending the night in a barn?
In Swap a bed for a barn and you can hit the hay (Guardian, August 9), Molly Gunn gives a test drive to the concept reporting that farmers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are opening their barn doors and inviting tourists to stay – for as little as €10.
European movies of the 30's and 50's have their share of frolicking in the hay scenes, not sure the same goes for American flicks.
In our Eco-conscious and thrifty times this might appeal to some travelers.
The concept of 'Hay Hotels' is not new.
The very official German Missions in the US mentioned it in Hay Hotels Offer Travelers a Rustic Experience (October 2008) and mentioned Perfect Places to Hit the Hay in Germany by Deborah Kolben (NY Times, October 19, 2008).
Germans called these 'Heuhotels' and the German Missions describe them as "especially popular among cyclists, hikers, animal lovers and
horseback riders, hay hotels also provide their lodgers the opportunity
to witness farm life firsthand in a way rarely seen. The farm's
management can usually arrange for horseback rides and even a place to
lodge your own horse.Hay hotels are also very economical,
normally costing less than 20 euros a night and many including a
filling, country style breakfast. Food aficionados will appreciate the
opportunity to buy fresh cheeses, meats and produce on site."
There is a whole German Site dedicated to Heuhotels
Pictures on it seem like a send back to the 60's and 70's.
Some properties like Hof Reumos turned the old cowshed (above) into the 'Hay Hotel' and offer communal bathroom, kitchen and dining room for a more civilized experience.
One thing to keep in mind, no smoking please.