What is it:
Das Park Hotel in Ottensheim, Austria
What’s so special:
On the banks of the river Rodl in Ottensheim lie several large concrete drain pipes. The unwelcoming exterior of these repurposed pipes gives way to a surprisingly comfortable, minimally decorated interior that is your own personal micro-hotel. This clever use of industrial materials gives you the chance to holiday close to nature but, you know, in a solid, weather-proof kind of way – why hasn’t someone brought this idea to Ireland?
The details:
Open May to October, the management operates on a seriously user-friendly ‘pay as you wish’ system, so a night cosying up in one of these pipes will set you back whatever amount you feel is worth it.
Getting there:
Aer Lingus flies from Dublin to Vienna six days a week and with efficient and regular Austrian train connections to Ottensheim, getting there should be relatively hassle-free.
By Dee McCurry
