Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. News

Flying Nest Is a Shipping Container Hotel Designed to Travel the World

By
1 of 6
flying nest hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder
flying nest hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder
flying nest hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder
flying nest hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder
flying nest hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder
flying nest hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder

2019 is shaping up to be the year of the “budget boutique” hotel experience. From capsule hotels to luxury hostels, travelers are giving up the frilly and often unnecessary amenities in favor of a cheaper, pared-down stay. AccorHotels’ Flying Nest Shipping Container Hotel takes the concept of budget boutique to new heights — literally.

Recommended Videos

Each room — er, container — covers a scant 130 square feet. However, if the tiny house movement has taught us anything, it’s that we humans really don’t need that much space in which to live. Every unit includes essentials like a bathroom and bright, cozy living area, plus a double bed tucked against the far wall with an edge-to-edge picture window framing the view outside. Flying Nest was conceived of by renowned Paris-based architect Ora-ïto. Inside and out, the minimal design maximizes environmentally-friendly materials like eco-friendly wood and recyclable steel in a way that evokes a trendy ski chalet.

flying nest hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Guests looking to stretch their legs have access to a shared living room, complimentary gourmet breakfast, and a dedicated toy room for keeping their skis and winter gear safe, clean, and ready for the next run. The containers are designed to be stacked and connected via a series of terraces. These shared walkways, coupled with each unit’s tiny size encourages mingling among hotel guests.

What separates Flying Nest from other boutique hotels — even other shipping container hotels — is its portability. For its launch in the summer of 2017, the concept was installed briefly in various French locations including the Clairefontaine national football training center, then 24 Hours of Le Mans, and on to Biennale d’Architecture in Bordeaux. AccorHotels debuted the first semi-permanent installation for the 2019 winter ski season at France’s stunning Avoriaz ski resort. However, the design was purpose-built from the ground up to roam (setup takes less than a day) and to be installed in almost any terrain from deserts to mountaintops. When the tourist season begins to wind down, the entire hotel can be shuttered and transported to wherever it’s needed. It’s a clever concept not only for semi-permanent installations but also for more temporary projects like large festivals, concerts, and events.

Rates for private rooms at the Flying Nest Shipping Container Hotel start at €150 (USD $170) per night.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He’s kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South… Read Full Bio
Travel
These 2026 island getaways are surging in popularity right now
Sandals St. Lucia Grande

Expedia just released its latest set of data: The 2026 Island Hot List, a trending list that compiles the emerging islands travelers are searching for before they become the next big thing. According to the newExpedia data, interest in these rising island destinations is up 55% on average year-over-year, while social media mentions have climbed 20% as travelers look for new experiences, better value, and fewer crowds. If you ask me, this is pretty surprising to hear it’s up 55%, especially when I thought islands were already one of the most popular year-round travel destinations.

Ranked #1 on Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List is St. Lucia, an island I first fell in love with back in 2023 when I went on my honeymoon there. Once you visit here, it’s pretty easy to see why it’s ranked the best for romantic escapes. This destination has been a popular spot for anniversary and honeymoon trips for a long time now — and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. As travelers move beyond crowded Caribbean hotspots, many are willing to take the extra trek to destinations like St. Lucia for it’s dramatic scenery, romantic resort options like Sugar Beach, and soft adventure focus.

Read more
Travel
Six Senses Rome is a peaceful retreat in a beautifully chaotic city
the lobby at Six Senses Rome

Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and by all accounts, it gets crowded. But considering that it’s one of the world’s most important epicenters for history, culture, food and architecture, we can forgive the crowds. After all, complaining about tourism when you’re a tourist is not the way. But booking yourself a peaceful respite to start and end each day most certainly is.

I chose Six Senses Rome as my home base during a recent four-day trip to the city. The property opened in 2023 in the restored 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini. The historic building sets the tone before you even check in, with restored 600-year-old columns in the main entrance, pale travertine floors, a light-dappled lobby overflowing with greenery, and a massive marble staircase that’s almost comically regal. And its neighbor is the gorgeous San Marcello al Corso Church—so you can start your sightseeing by literally going next door. 

Read more
Travel
5 Tips If You’re Traveling With Cigars: I Learned No. 2 the Hard Way
Wood, Hardwood, Accessories

Traveling with cigars can be challenging if you’re not prepared. The lack of preparation can lead to your favorite cigars getting smashed from inadequate storage, or they can peel because they weren’t kept at the proper temperature, among other issues. Sometimes you do all the right things, and still come away shaking your head.

I’ve been smoking cigars for two decades now, and it’s not beneath me to admit that I’ve made plenty of cigar travel mistakes in that span, and as recently as two weeks ago. You live, you learn, and hope you don’t waste a stogie on the next trip. My most recent cigar travel mistake is what inspired me to share these tips. Sure, there are plenty of articles out there offering similar advice. But this list comes from a cigar smoker and writer who has visited six countries and about a dozen states in the last year alone. And in that time, mistakes were made, and lessons were learned.

Read more