Far from it. Hay hotels are exactly what they sound like - you sleep in a barn on a haystack. Why would you ever want to do that? Well, you may not. But Michele Hartley, our guide to Travel in Germany, brings up a few good points:

• It's cheap -- starting at eight Euros a night. And that likely includes farm-hearty breakfasts. This may be one of the few places in Europe where the dollar does go a long way.
• It's relaxing -- think "camping" in a country setting.
• Your kids will love it -- most are at farms where you can also ride horses, milk cows or bicycle in the countryside.

Read more: Hay hotels (Heuhotels) in Germany
or get reviews of traditional hotels in Germany