I paid $400 to sleep in a barrel in Switzerland and had the best glamping experience of my life

Joey HaddenNov 26, 2022, 17:59 IST

Insider's reporter spent two nights in a barrel she found on Airbnb in Switzerland.Joey Hadden/Insider

On a recent trip to Switzerland, I spent two nights sleeping in a barrel I found on Airbnb.
For about $200 a night, the barrel had a living space, a king-sized bed, and a ton of storage hacks.

I love the outdoors, but I also love being comfy. That's why glamping is one of my favorite ways to travel. In the past, I've glamped in a treehouse, a dome, a lifeguard tower, and an Airstream trailer.

The author glamps in a dome (L) and a treehouse (R) in 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

I love the outdoors, but I also love being comfy. That's why glamping is one of my favorite ways to travel. In the past, I've glamped in a treehouse, a dome, a lifeguard tower, and an Airstream trailer.

But none of those accommodations were as memorable as my most recent glamping experience. During a two-week trip to Europe with my partner, I spent two nights sleeping in a barrel in Switzerland.

The author poses in front of the barrel.Joey Hadden/Insider

But none of those accommodations were as memorable as my most recent glamping experience. During a two-week trip to Europe with my partner, I spent two nights sleeping in a barrel in Switzerland.

For about $200 a night, I thought the barrel looked like something out of a quirky fairytale I'd want to live in, and booked it for my partner and me.

The entrance to the Airbnb.Joey Hadden/Insider

Located about an hour outside of Zurich by train, the Airbnb is in the village of Roggwil.

A map of Switzerland locating Roggwil.Google Maps

It's part of an exhibition is by Sorglos, a company that designs barrel homes and saunas, as well as hot tubs and outdoor fireplaces, according to their website. Some of these structures are also for sale.

A wide view of the garden where the barrel resides.Joey Hadden/Insider

It's part of an exhibition is by Sorglos, a company that designs barrel homes and saunas, as well as hot tubs and outdoor fireplaces, according to their website. Some of these structures are also for sale.

Until they're sold, the two barrel homes are rented to tourists on Airbnb, who also have access to the saunas and hot tubs for an additional fee. Only groups traveling together may book the second barrel, so it was empty during our stay.

The back of the barrel from the outside.Joey Hadden/Insider

Until they're sold, the two barrel homes are rented to tourists on Airbnb, who also have access to the saunas and hot tubs for an additional fee. Only groups traveling together may book the second barrel, so it was empty during our stay.

The entire property is located inside a garden behind a huge house where 17 full-time residents live, the host, Maria, told me.

The house on the property.Joey Hadden/Insider

To get to the Airbnb, we were coming from Italy, and traveled by train to Zurich, Switzerland. From there, we transferred to local trains that got us to Roggwil in about an hour.

A view out the window of the author's train to Switzerland (L) and the author on a local train to the village.Joey Hadden/Inisder

To get to the Airbnb, we were coming from Italy, and traveled by train to Zurich, Switzerland. From there, we transferred to local trains that got us to Roggwil in about an hour.

I stayed there just for the barrel, but thought Roggwil was a quaint, modest village with friendly families and a stunning mountain backdrop. People smiled at me and little kids waved when we made eye contact at the train station.

The train station in Roggwil.Joey Hadden/Insider

I stayed there just for the barrel, but thought Roggwil was a quaint, modest village with friendly families and a stunning mountain backdrop. People smiled at me and little kids waved when we made eye contact at the train station.

The property was just a two-minute walk from the train station in Roggwil. Maria met us in front of the house and led us through a side gate to our barrel.

The entrance to the Airbnb.Joey Hadden/Insider

We walked through a garden with potted plants alongside communal dining spaces. I saw seven barrel saunas, a few fire pits, and a couple of hot tubs for guests on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Outdoor dining areas in the garden.Joey Hadden/Insider

We walked through a garden with potted plants alongside communal dining spaces. I saw seven barrel saunas, a few fire pits, and a couple of hot tubs for guests on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Next to each rentable barrel was a private bathroom.

The bathroom is next to the Airbnb.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I opened the door to our barrel, an overwhelming smell of cedar filled my nostrils, which I thought made the place cozy. The barrel was 7-feet tall, so my six-foot-tall partner didn't have to duck his head.

The author stands in the doorway of the barrel.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I opened the door to our barrel, an overwhelming smell of cedar filled my nostrils, which I thought made the place cozy. The barrel was 7-feet tall, so my six-foot-tall partner didn't have to duck his head.

The barrel is 14-feet-long according to the listing. Inside was a living space in the front where a table pulled out between two couches, plus an elevated king-sized bed in the back.

The interior (R) and exterior (L) of the barrel.Joey Hadden/Insider

The barrel is 14-feet-long according to the listing. Inside was a living space in the front where a table pulled out between two couches, plus an elevated king-sized bed in the back.

Beneath the pull out table and under the bed was storage space for our luggage.

Storage space under the bed.Joey Hadden/Insider

In the living space in front of the bed, I noticed additional storage cabinets beneath the couches.

Storage cabinets beneath the couch cushion.Joey Hadden/Insider

The couches also had little nooks for shoe storage, which I thought was a nice touch.

Shoe storage in the barrel.Joey Hadden/Insider

The barrel had a heater with temperature controls and three power outlets that were accessible from the living space and the bedroom.

Temperature controls and an outlet in the Airbnb.Joey Hadden/Insider

In a small cottage next to the barrel was our private bathroom. I thought it was modest, but had everything we needed — towel racks, a sink, a toilet, and a small shower.

A peak inside the bathroom outside of the barrel.Joey Hadden/Insider

In a small cottage next to the barrel was our private bathroom. I thought it was modest, but had everything we needed — towel racks, a sink, a toilet, and a small shower.

There was also a heater and a blow dryer in the bathroom. I thought the heater came in handy for nighttime showers when it was cold outside.

A heater (L) and a hair dryer (R) in the bathroom.Joey Hadden/Insider

In addition to the bathroom was a partially-exposed private outdoor rainfall shower. I love outdoor showers, so I made sure to use this one on my second night. I liked the feeling of the cool breeze and hot water on my skin.

The indoor (L) and outdoor (R) shower at the Airbnb.Joey Hadden/Inisder

In addition to the bathroom was a partially-exposed private outdoor rainfall shower. I love outdoor showers, so I made sure to use this one on my second night. I liked the feeling of the cool breeze and hot water on my skin.

Maria also gave us a key to the house, where we could use a kitchen shared with the full-time residents. It was the only key provided as the barrel and bathroom didn't lock. I initially found that odd, but Maria assured us no one would go inside our barrel.

A key to the house.Joey Hadden/Insider

Maria also gave us a key to the house, where we could use a kitchen shared with the full-time residents. It was the only key provided as the barrel and bathroom didn't lock. I initially found that odd, but Maria assured us no one would go inside our barrel.

The kitchen was large enough to host an event, I thought. There were rows of long tables and chairs, and we could use any dishes. But aside from residents who I occasionally crossed paths with, it appeared empty.

The shared kitchen in the house on the property.Joey Hadden/Insider

The kitchen was large enough to host an event, I thought. There were rows of long tables and chairs, and we could use any dishes. But aside from residents who I occasionally crossed paths with, it appeared empty.

On the first night, we arrived hungry with no dinner plans. Maria told us we could get delivery, which surprised me since we were in such a small town. I ordered a kebab wrap that I thought was delicious and filling.

Take out menus on the pullout table (L) and the author's dinner (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

On the first night, we arrived hungry with no dinner plans. Maria told us we could get delivery, which surprised me since we were in such a small town. I ordered a kebab wrap that I thought was delicious and filling.

When we were ready to sleep, to access the bed, we pushed the pullout table almost all the way in, leaving a sliver of room to climb in and out.

The sitting area in the barrel.Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the bedroom area was luxurious, especially for such a small space. The bed felt like memory foam and came with soft linen sheets. Towels and robes were provided, too.

The bedroom area in the barrel.Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the bedroom area was luxurious, especially for such a small space. The bed felt like memory foam and came with soft linen sheets. Towels and robes were provided, too.

On our second day, my partner and I decided to check out the garden's unique offerings, like the sauna and fire pit.

A view out the window from inside the barrel.Joey Hadden/Insider

To use these amenities, we took firewood from the tool shed. Maria told us that our booking included one bag of firewood. Extra was available for a fee, but we didn't end up needing more.

Bags of wood logs inside the tool shed.Joey Hadden/Insider

To use these amenities, we took firewood from the tool shed. Maria told us that our booking included one bag of firewood. Extra was available for a fee, but we didn't end up needing more.

Once we had the wood, we checked out one of the saunas, which cost $60 to use.

One of the many saunas on the property.Joey Hadden/Insider

It was my first time in a sauna and I thought it was a spiritual experience. As I sweat through the steam, I felt a tingling sensation in my body.

The sauna lets out smoke while in use.Joey Hadden/Inisder

The wood-fired hot tubs came with an $80 fee, but since we weren't there for long, my partner and I decided to skip this amenity.

One of the hot tubs on the property.Joey Hadden/Insider

But we did use a fire pit on the second night. The pit came with a mechanism called the tongue of fire, which has a chimney to keep smoke away from people's faces as they cook.

Fire wood at the barbecue pit.Joey Hadden/Insider

But we did use a fire pit on the second night. The pit came with a mechanism called the tongue of fire, which has a chimney to keep smoke away from people's faces as they cook.

We roasted sausages and s'mores and I thought it was my most pleasant experience ever cooking over fire since I didn't breathe in smoke.

The author cooks sausages at the barbecue pit.Joey Hadden/Insider

On the morning of our departure, I got up early for one final walk through the garden. I thought the barrels complemented the plants, giving the whole space a peaceful, calming vibe.

Snapshots of the property.Joey Hadden/Insider

On the morning of our departure, I got up early for one final walk through the garden. I thought the barrels complemented the plants, giving the whole space a peaceful, calming vibe.

I longed for more barbecues, sauna sessions, and outdoor showers. But my luxurious stay was over. The barrel offered me my best glamping experience yet, and I won't soon forget it.

A pathway through the property.Joey Hadden/Insider

I longed for more barbecues, sauna sessions, and outdoor showers. But my luxurious stay was over. The barrel offered me my best glamping experience yet, and I won't soon forget it.

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I paid $400 to sleep in a barrel in Switzerland and had the best glamping experience of my life

I love the outdoors, but I also love being comfy. That's why glamping is one of my favorite ways to travel. In the past, I've glamped in a treehouse, a dome, a lifeguard tower, and an Airstream trailer.

But none of those accommodations were as memorable as my most recent glamping experience. During a two-week trip to Europe with my partner, I spent two nights sleeping in a barrel in Switzerland.

For about $200 a night, I thought the barrel looked like something out of a quirky fairytale I'd want to live in, and booked it for my partner and me.

Located about an hour outside of Zurich by train, the Airbnb is in the village of Roggwil.

It's part of an exhibition is by Sorglos, a company that designs barrel homes and saunas, as well as hot tubs and outdoor fireplaces, according to their website. Some of these structures are also for sale.

Until they're sold, the two barrel homes are rented to tourists on Airbnb, who also have access to the saunas and hot tubs for an additional fee. Only groups traveling together may book the second barrel, so it was empty during our stay.

The entire property is located inside a garden behind a huge house where 17 full-time residents live, the host, Maria, told me.

To get to the Airbnb, we were coming from Italy, and traveled by train to Zurich, Switzerland. From there, we transferred to local trains that got us to Roggwil in about an hour.

I stayed there just for the barrel, but thought Roggwil was a quaint, modest village with friendly families and a stunning mountain backdrop. People smiled at me and little kids waved when we made eye contact at the train station.

The property was just a two-minute walk from the train station in Roggwil. Maria met us in front of the house and led us through a side gate to our barrel.

We walked through a garden with potted plants alongside communal dining spaces. I saw seven barrel saunas, a few fire pits, and a couple of hot tubs for guests on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Next to each rentable barrel was a private bathroom.

When I opened the door to our barrel, an overwhelming smell of cedar filled my nostrils, which I thought made the place cozy. The barrel was 7-feet tall, so my six-foot-tall partner didn't have to duck his head.

The barrel is 14-feet-long according to the listing. Inside was a living space in the front where a table pulled out between two couches, plus an elevated king-sized bed in the back.

Beneath the pull out table and under the bed was storage space for our luggage.

In the living space in front of the bed, I noticed additional storage cabinets beneath the couches.

The couches also had little nooks for shoe storage, which I thought was a nice touch.

The barrel had a heater with temperature controls and three power outlets that were accessible from the living space and the bedroom.

In a small cottage next to the barrel was our private bathroom. I thought it was modest, but had everything we needed — towel racks, a sink, a toilet, and a small shower.

There was also a heater and a blow dryer in the bathroom. I thought the heater came in handy for nighttime showers when it was cold outside.

In addition to the bathroom was a partially-exposed private outdoor rainfall shower. I love outdoor showers, so I made sure to use this one on my second night. I liked the feeling of the cool breeze and hot water on my skin.

Maria also gave us a key to the house, where we could use a kitchen shared with the full-time residents. It was the only key provided as the barrel and bathroom didn't lock. I initially found that odd, but Maria assured us no one would go inside our barrel.

The kitchen was large enough to host an event, I thought. There were rows of long tables and chairs, and we could use any dishes. But aside from residents who I occasionally crossed paths with, it appeared empty.

On the first night, we arrived hungry with no dinner plans. Maria told us we could get delivery, which surprised me since we were in such a small town. I ordered a kebab wrap that I thought was delicious and filling.

When we were ready to sleep, to access the bed, we pushed the pullout table almost all the way in, leaving a sliver of room to climb in and out.

I thought the bedroom area was luxurious, especially for such a small space. The bed felt like memory foam and came with soft linen sheets. Towels and robes were provided, too.

On our second day, my partner and I decided to check out the garden's unique offerings, like the sauna and fire pit.

To use these amenities, we took firewood from the tool shed. Maria told us that our booking included one bag of firewood. Extra was available for a fee, but we didn't end up needing more.

Once we had the wood, we checked out one of the saunas, which cost $60 to use.

It was my first time in a sauna and I thought it was a spiritual experience. As I sweat through the steam, I felt a tingling sensation in my body.

The wood-fired hot tubs came with an $80 fee, but since we weren't there for long, my partner and I decided to skip this amenity.

But we did use a fire pit on the second night. The pit came with a mechanism called the tongue of fire, which has a chimney to keep smoke away from people's faces as they cook.

We roasted sausages and s'mores and I thought it was my most pleasant experience ever cooking over fire since I didn't breathe in smoke.

On the morning of our departure, I got up early for one final walk through the garden. I thought the barrels complemented the plants, giving the whole space a peaceful, calming vibe.

I longed for more barbecues, sauna sessions, and outdoor showers. But my luxurious stay was over. The barrel offered me my best glamping experience yet, and I won't soon forget it.