Will movable hotel rooms become a permanent lodging product?

Hilton rolled out a tiny 160-square-foot hotel room that is on wheels (Chang, 2022). The “pop-up,” movable hotel room was designed for golf enthusiasts at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open between June 9 and 12 and the Women’s Open in August. The hotel room was built onside on a custom trailer that is situated on the green near the third hold.

What does the Hilton’s movable hotel room look like?

Although the hotel room looks small from the outside, it has everything that a typical Hilton room offers. There is a bedroom, bathroom, and windows for panoramic views of the golf course, plus a deck that gives guests direct access to the golf course. It also comes with linens from Waldorf Astoria and the DoubleTree cookies. The room is movable and self-sufficient. Ideally, it can be placed wherever Hilton wants to.

How can travelers book a stay at a Hilton’s movable room?

At this point, the removable room is made exclusive to golf tournaments. Hilton held an online contest for golf and tiny home enthusiasts. A lucky winner was chosen to stay in the movable hotel room during the Canadian Open. After the golf tournaments, Hilton has no immediate plans to put more movable tiny hotel rooms into use.

What is next for Hilton’s movable room?

Travelers have been flocking to unconventional accommodations since COVID-19, and home-sharing facilities were doing exceptionally well. Besides meeting consumer demands, such a tiny, movable hotel room concept can work well for special events or occasions, like golf tournaments in Hilton’s example, other sports events, concerts, and state parks. Most of all, it is not as costly to build.

What do you think of this tiny, movable hotel room concept? Will other hotel chains follow suit? Do you think it will stay beyond the pandemic?