- On a trip to Vienna, I stayed in an Airstream trailer for the first time.
- I found the 22-foot-long trailer on Airbnb and paid $300 for a two-night stay.
- The trailer had a bathtub, toilet, vanity, and bed, but I thought it was too cramped and noisy.
I'm pretty much a pro when it comes to staying in tight spaces.
From a tiny-home hotel to a repurposed wine barrel, I've booked small, unique accommodations around the world. But I'd never stayed in an Airstream trailer before my trip to Vienna, Austria, in October 2023.
Seeking an affordable, atypical accommodation, I booked two nights in Hotel Daniel's luxury camper through Airbnb for $300.
I'd always envisioned staying in an Airstream trailer for a remote glamping experience in a natural setting, such as a desert or forest, so I thought it was interesting to see one in a city. However, the environment kept me from getting a good night's sleep.
The Airbnb was in the heart of Vienna, about 10 minutes from the city's main train station on foot.
The trailer was located in the parking lot of Hotel Daniel, a boutique luxury hotel with 116 rooms in central Vienna.
I thought the urban location was a unique way to try an Airstream and still easily explore a city.
I spotted the Airstream trailer in the parking lot of Hotel Daniel.
When I arrived from the nearby train station, I expected the trailer to be parked in a secluded area — perhaps behind the hotel. Instead, it was right in front of it.
Like other Hotel Daniel guests, I checked in inside the lobby. A staff member gave me a physical key to the trailer rather than a typical hotel key card.
As soon as I stepped inside the Airstream, I noticed a large bathtub to my right.
When I booked the trailer, I knew it had a tub, but I thought it would be in a private bathroom. Instead, it was situated at the front of the trailer.
Aside from washing up, I used the bathtub to hand-wash my clothing.
Next to the tub was a mirror and vanity area with soaps, lotions, and towels. The bed was in the back.
The interior of the trailer — which was 22 feet long, according to Hotel Daniel — had a minimalist, midcentury modern design.
Between the bed and the vanity area was a tiny room with a toilet inside.
This was the only enclosed space within the trailer. And it was quite cramped, in my opinion.
Across from the toilet, I found a hanging rack for clothing.
A hairdryer hung from a bag on the rack, which I used to dry my clothes after hand-washing them in the tub.
At the back of the trailer, I thought the queen-sized bed was really soft and comfortable.
A light dimmer dial and an outlet for charging devices were conveniently located within arm's reach of the bed.
There was also a small TV on the wall, but I didn't use it.
Above the bed, a skylight added light to the room without sacrificing privacy.
The windows on the walls of the trailer had curtains for privacy.
Unlike tiny homes I've stayed in, the trailer lacked storage hacks to make the space feel larger.
I thought I'd find cabinets or hidden drawers in the trailer, but there were none.
Hotel Daniel told Business Insider that the trailer is meant to surprise and inspire travelers but is only designed to be comfortable for a short stay, adding that it's next to a busy street, so it can be noisy through the night.
My evenings were uncomfortable as people banged on the door of my trailer and tried to open it.
I called the front desk, and they said they'd tell people to stop if they caught them, but that was all they could do.
A manager of Hotel Daniel told Business Insider that they had never had complaints of people banging on the trailer door before and apologized for the disturbance.
Staying in the heart of Vienna made it easier to explore during the day, but a unique budget accommodation wasn't worth it for me.
At the end of my stay, I was happy that I picked a location with so many bustling streets just outside my door. But next time, I'll book a room inside a hotel when staying in urban areas so I can sleep better.
