March 29, 2024

Just Moments

Travel Groove

European Hospitality Startup Is Using Movable Tiny Homes As Hotel Rooms

Table of Contents

If you’ve been asking yourself this since the start of the summer travel boom, you’re not alone.

A Raus cabin in nature surrounded by trees and open fields.



Noel Richter


In October 2021, German hospitality startup Raus began placing cabin rentals in remote locations near Belin, giving city dwellers a nearby reprieve.

A Raus cabin in nature surrounded by trees and open fields at night.



Noel Richter


Raus hasn’t been in operation for a full year yet, but the company is already seeing wild demand and thousands of people on its waitlist, Julian Trautwein, Raus’ co-founder, told Insider.

Stairs leading up to a black Raus cabin.



Noel Richter


Operating tiny homes in off-grid locations isn’t a new hospitality concept.

A bed and dining table next to a large window showing the view of nature



Noel Richter


In the US, companies like Getaway House and Moliving are doing just that, appealing to travelers who are tired of standard hotels and craving a break from cities.

A Moliving unit sits atop a hill.

A Moliving unit.

David Mitchell


And like other startups thriving in the tiny cabin-turned-boutique hotel space, Raus is seeing plenty of success in Germany.

A bed, kitchen, table with chairs and windows showing nature outside



Noel Richter


During COVID-19, more travelers began seeking remote vacations to recharge and unplug from crowded cities.

A Raus cabin glowing with the lights on at night



Noel Richter


At the same time, eco-friendly vacations have steadily risen in popularity amid our ongoing climate crisis.

A Raus cabin in nature surrounded by tall trees.



Noel Richter


Source: Travel Pulse

And let’s not forget about everyone’s favorite topic: money.

A Raus cabin in nature surrounded by trees and open fields.



Noel Richter


Inflation and the rising costs of both air travel and gas have recently pushed more travelers to consider nearby destinations.

A close up of a Raus cabin in nature surrounded by trees and open fields.



Noel Richter


So it should be no surprise Raus’ 10 locations have seen smashing success and nearly nonstop business.

A look inside a Raus cabin with a bed, dining table, kitchen, windows with views of nature.



Noel Richter


The first cabin was designed in-house and set up in October 2021.

An overhead view of a Raus cabin in nature surrounded by trees and open fields.



Noel Richter


Shortly after, Raus was “overrun” with public interest, Trautwein said.

A Raus cabin in nature surrounded by dense and tall.



Noel Richter


All of its units have hit over 95% occupancy levels since the rollout of Raus’ first cabin.

A Raus cabin in nature surrounded by trees and open fields.



Noel Richter


When the company opened bookings through October for one of its newest builds, travelers booked the cabin out in 48 hours.

A Raus cabin in nature surrounded by trees and open fields.



Noel Richter


And Raus now has an almost 2,600-person waitlist, Trautwein said. Insider verified the waitlist.

Sun shining through the window in a Raus cabin with a daybed, bed.



Noel Richter


To generate all of this hype, the brand relies on two cabin models.

A bed, kitchen, daybed with windows showing nature outside



Noel Richter


The first accommodates up to two people, while the second — designed with an architecture firm — can fit up to four guests.

The view of a Raus cabin near trees.



Noel Richter


No matter the model, all of Raus’ tiny homes are based on wheels …

A bed, kitchen, daybed with windows showing nature outside



Noel Richter


… which decreases the units’ impact on the environment and allows the cabins to be moved according to the company’s needs.

A Raus cabin outside in nature surrounded by trees



Noel Richter


Raus knows many of its guests are looking to unplug from big cities, which is why its locations are denoted by the level of remoteness and “on-grid” versus “off-grid” on its website.

A Raus cabin in nature surrounded by trees and a nearby home



Noel Richter


Source: Raus 

“We wanted to create spaces for people to take time off to and take care of themselves,” Trautwein said.

A close up of a Raus cabin in nature surrounded by trees and open fields.



Noel Richter


The cabins, which are each sustainability built in six weeks, were designed to have a boutique hotel room feel to make a stay “feel like an experience,” he said.

A bed, kitchen, daybed with windows showing nature outside



Noel Richter


The cabins start at €160 (about $167) per night with a minimum two-night stay.

A look inside a Raus cabin with a bed, dining table, kitchen, windows with views of nature.



Noel Richter


Inside, there are amenities like a queen bed …

A look inside a Raus cabin with a bed near windows.



Noel Richter


… expansive windows for views of nature …

Windows that show the outside trees and fields from inside the Raus kitchen



Noel Richter


… and bathroom with a shower and composting toilet.

A black minimalist shower inside a Raus cabin.



Noel Richter