Glamping in Switzerland’s PodHotel
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Camping & Glamping | Switzerland | Unusual Hotels | 1 Comment
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High snows. Cold temperatures. Brutal winds. Camping at altitude in the Alps during the winter is for the hard core. But going glamping — glamorous camping — needn’t be.
Travel in the Alps offers many opportunities to experience the rugged charm and back-to-nature feeling of staying in a tent without, you know, having to stay in a tent. Spot Cool Stuff readers might remember our review of the disappearing-and-then-reappearing Whitepods ski resort or our post about the boutique hiking hut at the base of the Matterhorn. To those we now add the PodHotel Flims — though the “hotel” in the name is a serious misnomer.
Guests of the PodHotel stay in (what else?) a PodHouse, a prefabricated micro-home developed by ROB GmbH† . The company’s original intent when designing the PodHouse was to create environmentally-friendly shelters — garden rooms, backyard offices and the like. The PodHouse’s modular design makes them adaptable to a variety of needs. Including, as it turned out, a backwoods vacation spot.
The PodHotel consists of three PodHouses located in an idyllic woodsy gully outside of Flims, Switzerland. The pods are located only a few meters apart from each other, a bummer for those seeking a secluded feel. The interior of the pods, however, are as cozy as can be‡. The pods have heat and a small light (powered by a solar-charged battery). Each has room to store your belongings and two beds (three in the FamilyPod) and that’s pretty much it.
Among the things you won’t find inside your pod accommodations: a sink, shower or toilet. Those are located inside the main PodHotel building along with a communal kitchenette and wifi internet access.
The PodHotel is open year-round, but there’s something especially amazing about it in the winter when the PodHotel Flims is under a heavy blanket of snow. Check out the photos below. And stay warm.
† Robust Outdoor Brands, as goes the fully spelled-out moniker, is a Swiss design firm and super-cool company. Among their inventions is the CUEBE, a cool portable outdoor kitchen unit.
‡ Our 9-year-old traveling companion described the interior as “Stayin in an upside down boat.”
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Planning your stay
When: The PodHotel Flims is open all year.
How much: Nights rates start at CHF 62, plus an extra CHF 9 for breakfast. You have to book for at least three nights if you want to reserve more than a week in advance. In general, there is last-minute availability during the week but not on weekends and during the summer.
If you go: Bring your own bedding. You’ll need a good sleeping bag if staying during the winter.
Family friendly: Definitely, though you’ll likely require the three bed “Martinsloch” pod.
For your bookshelf: Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter
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Related Spot Cool Stuff posts:
Travel to Aiguilles de Chamonix and the Best View in the Alps
5 Cool Glamping Resorts
BioLite: The World’s Coolest Camping Stove
Luggage Reviews: The Best Wheeled Carry-On Bags
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Wow. I love this unique inn.
I wanted to experience that as well.
Looks nice to me.
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