I Paid $400 to Sleep in a Barrel in Switzerland That I Found on Airbnb | Invesloan.com

To get to the Airbnb, I was coming from Italy and traveled by train to Zurich. From there, I took local trains 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 me in front of the house and led me through a side gate to the barrel.

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

I saw seven barrel saunas, a few fire pits, and a couple of hot tubs for guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

The barrel was 7 feet tall and 14 feet long.

Beneath the pullout table and under the bed was storage space for luggage.

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

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

I thought it was modest, but it had everything I needed — towel racks, a sink, a toilet, and a small shower.

I thought the heater came in handy for nighttime showers when it was cold outside.

I liked the feeling of the cool breeze and hot water on my skin.

It was the only key provided, as the barrel and bathroom didn’t lock. I initially found that odd, but Maria assured me no one would go inside my barrel.

There were rows of long tables and chairs, and I could use any of the dishes. Aside from the residents I occasionally crossed paths with, it appeared empty.

I used the table as a stepping stool.

The bed felt like memory foam and came with soft linen sheets. Towels and robes were provided, too.

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

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 cost $80 to use, but since I wasn’t there long, I decided to skip this amenity.

I 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.

I thought the barrels complemented the plants, giving the whole space a peaceful, calming vibe.

The barrel offered me my best glamping experience yet, and I won’t soon forget it.