Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has gone from van maker to holiday maker this summer, launching a unique, adventurous getaway concept in conjunction with hotel booking site LateRooms.com – called Hotel VW California.
A brand new holiday experience, the Hotel VW California is not your typical hotel. Comprising six Volkswagen California SE camper vans made available for booking as ‘rooms’, the innovative hotel chain will see the luxury motors situated around some of the UK’s most beautiful and bold locations and offered to the public exclusively via LateRooms.com.
Situated between the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire banks, Temple Island in Henley-on-Thames will be the first site for Hotel VW California. Parked at this location, staying in the ‘Hotel’ will offer guests the first ever chance to sleep on the beautiful island made famous by the Henley Royal Regatta and its ornamental folly. The temple boasts, among other features, wall paintings that are thought to be earliest surviving Etruscan works in Great Britain.
Given its status as one of the most affluent areas in the UK, you’d be forgiven for thinking that booking a private island in picturesque Henley-on-Thames is out of your price range. However, with rates on LateRooms.com at just £35 a night this is a luxury location with an affordable price.
Putting the vroom into room, each Volkswagen California provides sleeping for up to four adults. The pop-up roof, kitchen with fridge, twin-burner cooker and sink (with running water), wood-trimmed cupboards and drawers are all features usually reserved for private homes or hotel rooms. Discreet, integrated blinds on windows in the living area provide privacy while LED spotlights are fully integrated into the interior design to provide atmospheric illumination long after the sun sets. An awning plus table and two chairs also allow guests to sit out in comfort and enjoy the stunning riverside view.
When comparing against other private island hire, the Hotel VW California’s ability to provide hotel deals on wheels is apparent. Most private islands will set you back in the region of £18,000 a night – giving guests at Hotel VW California a £17,965 saving every night. But it’s not just competing on price. A lockable glove compartment is a more than a capable replacement for the traditional hotel safe, while the Thatcham Category 1 Alarm and immobiliser with tow away protection ensures that guests’ belongings are safe and sound when they’re out exploring the local area.
Rooms also include free wifi, iPod docking, ‘Climatronic’ three-zone automatic air-conditioning, heated seats and programmable central heating. As with every quality hotel, entertainment will be provided, while guests will also benefit from private boat transfers to ensure exploration of the mainland is also an option.
Nicola Burnside from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: ‘Private island retreats are the epitome of luxury accommodation. Hotel VW California provides a truly unique experience with all of the luxury and none of the expense.
‘The California camper van offers the fun, freedom and adventure that was such an appealing quality of the much-loved original. Whether it’s a family camping holiday, a festival weekend, or a voyage of discovery road trip, the Volkswagen camper van gives you the freedom to go where you please, when you please and provides a place to relax, eat and sleep.’
She added: ‘Hotel VW California is the perfect demonstration of the getaway you can enjoy with a bit of imagination and creativity. We look forward to welcoming the first guests and hope that they enjoy the perfect break with brakes.’
Martin Solly from LateRooms.com, added: ‘Be it cosy B&Bs or luxury spas, Thai beach huts or English country houses we’re very proud to offer a supremely diverse range of hotels and it doesn’t get much more unique than Hotel VW California.
‘The location provides the ultimate island getaway. Combined with the stunning views and nearby attractions this is a genuinely brilliant offer with a difference. There can’t be another island in the world that offers such great value.’
This unique offering will be available to book from 24th July for a limited time only. With six rooms to choose from, those wishing to stay at ‘Hotel VW California’ will need to put their foot down and book via LateRooms.com. However, if you miss out on a booking for this offering, there will be a ‘Cali-tour-nia’ as the rooms drive on to other adventurous locations around the UK.
