World’s Smallest Hotel Was Built Because of an Old Marriage Law

Eh'häusl Hotel in Amberg, Germany, is easy to miss. Crammed between two houses, the building measures just 8 feet wide, making it the smallest hotel on earth, according to Guinness World Records.

The space's interior takes up 570 square feet across seven floors. Inside, guests—a maximum of two at a time—have their choice of cozy nooks to relax in, including a bedroom, a fireside lounge, a salon, and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub.

The hotel's unique history makes it the perfect romantic destination. Couples wishing to marry in 18th-century Amberg had to provide proof of landownership to the city before they could tie the knot. In 1728, a businessman saw a way around the law and built a "house" by putting up some walls and roof in an alleyway just 8 feet and 2 inches wide. Instead of belonging to one permanent owner, the house was sold to a property-less bride and groom, who then sold the house to another couple, and so on. The building is known as Eh'häusl today, a name which means "wedding house" in the local dialect.

While the Eh'häusl is no longer used as a legal loophole (it's now owned and managed by a municipal agency and run as a bona fide hotel), the idea of passing off occupancy from one couple to the next remains. The hotel's website reads, "As soon as the guest receives the key, he or she is the temporary owner of this miniature sanctuary ... Close your eyes for a moment and you will understand why you don't need a concierge. You will have the feeling that you have arrived home!"

You can book your stay at the historic landmark for €240 (about $280) a night—just make sure to pack light if you want more legroom.

[h/t Country Living]

Images courtesy of Eh'häusl.