South Africa Hotel Offers Fake Slum Experience

Well, this is ... interesting: You can now pay half the average South African's monthly salary—or $82 a night—to stay in a slum. Not a real one, as some one billion people worldwide do; instead, Gizmodo reports, South Africa's Emoya Luxury Hotel and Spa is offering the experience of "a Shanty within the safe environment of a private game reserve." The fake slum, near Bloemfontein, is offered as tours of actual slums gain popularity.

And though it's got realistic touches like a "'long-drop' outside toilet" and facilities for building your own fire, it's also "the only Shanty Town in the world equipped with under-floor heating and wireless internet access!," Emoya's site notes, adding that the place is "ideal for team building, braais (barbecues), fancy theme parties, and an experience of a lifetime." Four people can stay in one of the available corrugated-iron shacks, and there's room for 52 people total, This Is Africa reports, wondering if the offering is "the most tasteless and offensive tourism idea ever." (More South Africa stories.)