Meet the “Rotel,” the hotel on wheels

Why are hotels so stationary? Wouldn’t it be great if your hotel could travel along with you wherever you go? Apparently there is such a mobile accommodation, and it’s called the Rotel.

Website Jalopnik brings us up to speed on this unique hotel on wheels concept, a fleet of vehicles owned by a German company called Rotel Tours. A quick Google Translation of the company’s website offers some additional details. The “Rotel” concept was pioneered by entrepreneur George Höltl, who wanted passengers to be able to experience the remote corners of the world in a novel adventurous way. The company, which offers lie-flat bed tours of Europe, Africa and Asia, is rumored to have more than 3400 “beds on wheels,” with each vehicle accommodating between 20-40 sleeping passengers. Sleeping bunks on the Rotel are approximately six feet long, three feet wide and three feet high. Not luxurious, but big enough for crashing.

While the idea of traveling by Rotel seems whimsical and fun, it leaves me with a few unanswered questions. How long are you traveling on this thing each day? And wouldn’t it get a bit rank in a vehicle where you’re living in there all the time with 20 strangers? All vehicles are equipped with bathrooms, but unfortunately, no showers. Nothing says good times like a multi-week trip without bathing!

Canadian airline forced to remove smelly passenger from plane

We’ve already been told that being too fat will have you kicked off the plane, but now “too smelly” is apparently also a (very) good reason to be sent back into the terminal.

Not much is known about the specifics, but several weeks ago, Canadian airline Jazz had to remove a passenger because of his “brutal” stench.

I’ve been in the unlucky situation of sitting next to a stinker, and it really is a horrible position to be in – especially when you are dealing with the kind of stench that can’t be masked by a spritz of Old Spice.

Thankfully, someone at Jazz had the guts to tell the passenger that he had to get off the plane. In situations like this, I’d rather see them embarrass one passenger, than inconvenience an entire plane.

The airline wouldn’t reveal any specifics, citing privacy concerns, but they do admit that a passenger was removed, mentioning “safety concerns”.

As far as I’m concerned, that is a perfect way to handle it. Seriously, I can understand smelling a little nasty after a few days on the road, but I’ve encountered people I could smell 4 rows up. Do everyone a favor, and take a shower before you fly!

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(Image from: Getty)

Smelly theme park guests told to keep their arms down

Smelly guests and warm weather have forced UK Theme park Thorpe Park to introduce a new rule called “say no to B.O.“. The rule has been put in place because too many smelly guests were stinking up their rides on the hottest days.

Any time the temperature reaches 25C (77F) and above, guests must keep their arms down on the rides at all times. Personally, I think that telling guests to take a shower and use deodorant may have been a better (smelling) solution, but obviously not everyone practices basic hygiene.

This is the second time in two weeks that a UK theme park has introduced silly rules – previously, Alton Towers banned Speedos from their premises “to protect the children”.

So, what do you think of this new rule? Ever been stuck behind a screaming rollercoaster rider who spread their stinky pit stench to the rear of the ride?

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Click the pictures to learn about other unusual amusement parks … from R-Rated “Love Land,” to a park with a ride called “Dog Fart Switchback,” to a park twice the size of Disneyland.