When looking for tiny accommodations in Germany, I thought this one had a unique, cylindrical shape that packed a lot inside, so I booked it for two nights for $140.

Located in Neustrelitz, Germany, it's part of a tiny home hotel called Slube, which designs minimal concrete "Slubes" for up to two people, according to its website.

There are three types of Slubes: Basic, which is one story; Home, which is two stories; and Tower, which adds a rooftop terrace. I booked a Home Slube.

It was less than half the size of any tiny home I'd stayed in before.

It was 16 feet tall with two floors totaling 106 square feet.

I checked in with a code sent to my phone, so I didn't have to keep track of a key during my stay.

When I arrived by train from the airport in Berlin, there didn't seem to be any employees on the property. But an email from Slube informed me I'd be staying in room five and could check in by myself.

Inside, the 53-square-foot bottom level packed in a sitting area, a bathroom, and a ladder to the second floor.

In the sitting area, there was a table that folded in to save space when not in use.

Across from a foldout table was a bench with two seat cushions, which felt like a tiny space alternative for a couch.

Beneath the benches, there was enough space for me to store my luggage.

With hooks and storage cubbies above the bench, I thought this tiny home utilized more vertical space than those I've seen in the US.

I stored all of my clothing and toiletries on the first floor.

In the back right corner of the room, built-in shelves created a nook storing a small coffee machine, a hair dryer, and a few dishes.

I was impressed by the amenities packed into such a small room.

To the right of the living area, I thought the bathroom felt efficiently designed.

There was a curtain separating the shower head and sink from the toilet and storage space.

 

Even with two windows, I felt I had enough privacy.

The windows on the first floor had a film over most of the glass, which allowed me to let natural light in without sacrificing my privacy.

After checking out the first level, I headed up the ladder to the bedroom.

I thought it was easy to climb but could be challenging for some.

There was a latched gate at the top of the ladder, which I imagine was built to keep people safe from falling.

Knowing I was securely fastened into the bed area made falling sleeping easier.

The bedroom was the same size as the living space and bathroom combined — 53 square feet.

On the floor was a full-size bed that I found comfortable. I thought the pillows had the ideal ratio of fluff to firmness for my neck and head.

Above the bed, a TV equipped with Netflix and other streaming services was mounted on the wall.

Before bed, I watched some of my favorite shows.

On the far side of the bed was a lower platform I used as a nightstand.

It had easily accessible outlets, a pocket for the TV remote, and more space for my electronics and water bottle.

Above the bed, a large window opened so I could let the breeze into my room.

It had a black-out curtain for privacy and early morning light.

The Slube also had smart electricity that made my stay feel a little luxurious.

I controlled the lights and temperature of each story from my phone.

I found it fascinating that this tiny home truly left no space unused, from the loft bed to the wall cubbies.

While I can't stick a second story into my own rental, the European tiny home still gave me inspiration for how I could make better use of my space, starting with vertical storage hacks.