The story from Poland: Turning trailers into mobile hotels.

Trailers are essentially non-motorized vehicles designed to carry people, goods, and tow other vehicles. On roads, semi-trailers are more commonly used due to their versatility, and as a result, the number of old, damaged, and unusable semi-trailers discarded into the environment is increasing. Good Spot has partnered with a Polish architectural firm, Znamy się, to purchase old semi-trailer wagons previously used to transport food or refrigerated goods, and transform them into rental hotel rooms. Unlike bulky mobile homes, these small homes are easily movable, much like a motorhome or Airstream (except without an engine), rather than simply sitting still on four wheels.

Roman Sokolowski, founder of Good Spot, said that each refrigerated semi-trailer costs about $80,000 (approximately 1,850,000 VND) to convert into hotel rooms. The project has been more successful than expected, with all rooms booked within just this summer.

"The Covid-19 pandemic completely changed my perception of this project," Sokolowski said, "It truly is a timeless creation."

Some companies also utilize decommissioned containers and railway wagons to repurpose them into homes, rest rooms, or hotels, but face difficulties in sourcing containers for conversion. Meanwhile, Good Spot has easy access to semi-trailer trucks in Poland. According to a 2019 report, the country has a highly developed road transport system, surpassing other freight transport methods, and semi-trailer trucks are among the most frequently used vehicles.

According to the production company, the exterior design of these hotel rooms is inspired by the famous Airstream "silver bullet"—a brand of American touring caravans with a distinctive shape featuring a rounded, polished aluminum body. But beyond the glamorous appearance and unique resort style, Good Spot's use of semi-trailer wagons serves several other purposes.

Firstly, these semi-trailers are originally refrigerated vehicles; their outer shells are designed for effective insulation, capable of withstanding temperatures below freezing. Additionally, repurposing old wagons reduces production time and costs, while simultaneously building a sustainable and environmentally friendly hotel model.

Mr. Sokolowski shared, "Trailer manufacturers only create refrigerated semi-trailers for the sole purpose of transporting goods. But we have found another way to apply them in the tourism industry; instead of leaving old wagons idle and wasting them, we can now recycle them for reuse."

And because the hotel rooms are mobile, they can meet the changing needs of a large number of travelers in different regions and seasons, thus ensuring the company remains profitable.

According to Sokolowski, the trailers may crush the grass where they park, but aside from that, the hotel rooms inside the trailers will not have a significant impact on the environment. The company's research team is also exploring the creation of a trailer-hotel model that uses solar energy and rainwater harvesting. In that case, the sustainable amenities in the rooms would no longer require electricity or any conventional plumbing systems.

After renovation, Good Spot categorized the train cars into four different hotel models: single compartments, double compartments, budget-friendly standard compartments, and compartments for people with disabilities.

The double compartment has two single beds or one double bed, and it is also the smallest compartment, measuring only about 17 square meters.²compared to 33 m²of other compartments. To date, the model consisting of two single beds in the double compartment is the most popular choice when travelers choose Good Spot, mostly young couples from big cities looking for an experiential travel experience.

Unlike the double compartment, a standard compartment can accommodate up to six people, suitable for families or groups of friends. To maximize space, this compartment has two fold-out beds in the living area, and the sleeping area includes two single beds or one double bed. The single compartment can accommodate four people, with enough space for two beds. Finally, the compartment for people with disabilities is just enough for five people to stay, also with two bedrooms and an additional fold-out bed.

Each compartment has a different number of bedrooms, but all include a bathroom, smart TV, wardrobe, air conditioning, and a fully equipped kitchen area with appliances such as a refrigerator and stove. In addition, the company also has a "restaurant" model, converted from semi-trailer trailers and located within the hotel complex, serving as a shared space for all guests.

In the future, the company plans to resell the renovated apartments to private clients who want to experience living and traveling at the same time. Currently, Good Spot has two hotel locations in Poland and plans to expand further. A night's stay at this unique hotel costs between $50 and $150 (approximately 1,150,000 - 3,450,000 VND), depending on location and room type.

"We know this model is working well, and many people see it as a potential alternative to fixed hotels," said Sokolowski. "Developed countries with a mobile travel trend, like the US, are indeed perfect markets for this model. But we don't think that Good Spot hotels will become absolutely dominant over traditional hotels."

"Mobile hotels and traditional hotels will coexist side by side," Znamy Się affirmed.

An - Photo: Znamy się