Worldcrunch NEWS BITES

MUNICH – Ahead of the upcoming Oktoberfest, a new kind of lodging is being touted as "cozy, weatherproof and mobile-home-like." To some, the "Wies'n-Loft" (Field Loft) units will look more like a modern prison cell.

Still, the lodging offers two guests a double-sized bed with fresh bed linens, two hanging wardrobes, lighting, and electrical outlets. Most of all, if you've just spent the day and night downing frothy (giant) mugs of Oktoberfest beer, you know you have a place to crash.

For Airbnb, the US startup that brokers impromptu vacation rentals around the world, renting the containers marks a departure from their usual business model. Normally, they only broker private vacation rentals, but for the Oktoberfest the firm has signed a contract with camp management to the effect that it will not only market the accommodation but pay part of the costs.

"We want to become Germany's biggest provider of private holiday rentals," says Gunnar Froh of Airbnb Deutschland. "Oktoberfest is known around the world."

Each container is 7 square meters large, and costs between 129 and 169 euros a night to rent. From September 15 through October 4, 2011, the brown metal units are clustered at the Olympic Horse Riding Stadium Munich-Reim, offering Oktoberfest goers a relatively reasonable lodging option during Munich's most expensive season. The accommodations have access to two restrooms with shower and toilet facilities, as well as a small patio outside with a table and two chairs where guests can eat their breakfast. Or drink more beer.

Read the full story in German by Jan Knobloch

Photo - uLe @ Dortmund