Quirky vacation homes - Sleeping in the dunes: Anchor buoys are popular with couples
In the dunes at Harlesiel, Ostfriesia, there have been two old mooring buoys standing for approximately two years, where two guests can stay overnight. The offer has been well received, says Andreas Smidt, who rents out the buoys together with Christian Pree. "Most of them stay for one night, but we also have some who come for a week," says he. There is much more space than for the bed, as the buoys are 3.20 meters long and the diameter is maximally around 1.90 meters. "Most couples don't want much space, they want to cuddle," says Andreas Smidt. The sanitary facilities are 150 meters away.
These steel buoys were used around 1900 off the Norwegian North Sea coast as anchors for ships - unlike floating buoys, they were on the seabed. They were salvaged during coastal works.
Pree and Smidt bought two and converted them into sleeping quarters: Through a huge porthole as a door, guests look towards Wangerooge and Spiekeroog, and a panoramic window offers a view upwards. That is both fascinating under a starry sky and during a thunderstorm, says Smidt.
At the Lower Saxony North Sea coast, numerous quirky accommodations are offered - from a raft to beach loungers to a lighthouse.
- Interested visitors often ask about the colorful history of the Dune buoys, originally used around 1900 off the Norwegian North Sea coast as anchors for ships.
- The hospitality industry in Lower Saxony is known for its unique vacation homes, and the ship-turned-vacation home in Harlesiel is no exception, offering a unique living experience by the North Sea coast.
- Tourists who enjoy the charm of the North Sea coast can explore various quirky accommodations, from beach loungers to a lighthouse, and now adding the Dune buoys converted into cozy vacation homes on the list.
- After a day filled with excitement from the thrilling North Sea coast, guests can return to their vacation home, which is a short walk away from the sanitary facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay throughout their vacation.
