Holiday Destinations

Tour + Bus + Hotel = Rotel, the hotel on wheels

Tour + Bus + Hotel = Rotel, the hotel on wheels
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
View 10 Images
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
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The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
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The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the starsThe Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
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The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the starsThe Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
4/10
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
5/10
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
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The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
7/10
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
8/10
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
9/10
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
10/10
The Rotel rolling hotel takes you off the beaten track and lets you sleep in relative comfort under the stars
View gallery - 10 images

If you fancy getting amongst nature in some of the world’s wildest and most remote locations, but don’t really want to sleep in a tent, you might want to consider boarding a Rotel (rolling hotel) for your next holiday destination. The Rotel rolls a coach and hotel into one unit (or for larger groups, a bus and tag-along sleeping quarters). By day passengers sit in the front of the coach and take in all the sights, and by night they adjourn to the rear of the vehicle to enjoy their semi-private sleeping quarters.

The 50-year-old German company Rotel Tours operates these coaches in many countries around the world and appeal to budget-conscious travelers who want to see the sights but don’t like “roughing it” too much … a soft bed, solid walls to keep out the beasties, etc. The Rotel holidays are described by the organizers as journeys for active people, regardless of age.

In all, the company’s fleet of vehicles comprises 3,400 beds and caters to groups of 20-40 adults – vehicles can be upsized or downsized depending on the number of intrepid travelers.

These all-in-one tours aren’t physically demanding trips, though they encourage walks and hikes during your holiday.

Typically, the coaches are custom-modified Mercedes 0404's which feature 24 passenger seats and 26 sleeping berths (an extra one for the driver and tour guide).

While the Rotel rooms are only 3ft high, they are wide enough to deliver passengers a comfortable night’s sleep as long as you don't measure much more than the bed's length of 6ft. Though the lack of showers and bathing facilities may test you if you were expecting five-star luxury, the Rotel does include an extensive drop-down "camp kitchen" and a single toilet. The coaches also stop whenever possible at campgrounds with bathing facilities to ensure the passengers don't become too funky.

Rotels operate in Africa, Europe and Asia with the company saying it chooses the best places to stay, usually in campsites and sometimes with an occasional stay-over in hotels or lodges. It admits its drawcards are nights spent in the quiet of the deserts, the wilds of Patagonia or camps in the Serengeti.

The Rotel travel programs are designed to allow plenty of time for sightseeing, relaxing, a little walking and leisure programs. On every trip there is a detailed daily schedule and other updated information prior to departure.

The company says it upholds the cultural and traditional values of the countries and people it visits and promises to show participants an authentic view of the people, culture and nature of a country, rather than art shows and museums.

Rotel says its buys local produce to support the countries it visits and prides itself on fairness and partnerships with the local service providers.

Via AutoMotto

View gallery - 10 images
8 comments
8 comments
Seth Morth
I swear I have a video of this bus broken down in Skagway Alaska and two German guys underneath it swearing and yelling at each other. I can\'t believe there is just one, so it probably is not affiliated.
faragherjohn
has noone watched Cliff Richard in summer holiday
Eric Teutsch
I\'ve seen the Rotel bus in Newfoundland. They told me that they drive out of Boston. Couldn\'t find an american website though... (in German: www.rotel.de)
Emmanuel Marko
What an amazing hotel type.
Peter Nadreau
I just seen one of these in Escondido, California. Never seen one before and had to Google it. The one out here was more of a standard tour coach type of bus though. Very cool idea.
Fouture
Took a picture of it at Maligne Canyon near Jasper, Canada.Didn\'t look broken at all :-)My brother organizes mountain bike raids and would love to own one of these. Guess it takes a special driving license, and probably won\'t come in an off road version ?
BDD619
San Diego California USA My wife Laura was on her way to work and the ROTEL bus was getting on the highway/interstate this morning so this company is on the move and in the UNITED STATES 5/26/2012 Laura was quite impressed with it's design and versatility seems like a great idea DL KNOX SAN DIEGO CA
Robin Sutherland
coff*topdeck*coff