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It may be small in size, but it certainly scores big on character.

A new hotel in the US has done away with traditional rooms and lobbies by creating seven miniature guest houses on wheels.

Caravan: The Tiny House Hotel has been set up by Kol and Deb Delman in Portland, Oregon in a small plot of land behind their home. Each house has been built on trailers and range in size from just 100ft-200ft.

Caravan: The Tiny House Hotel has been set up by Kol and Deb Delman in Portland, Oregon. The concept has done away with traditional rooms and lobbies by creating seven miniature guest houses on wheels

The hotel has partnered with a local restaurant which can provide guests with food and room service until 2am

It is the first hotel of its kind in the US and follows a trend for 'Tiny Homes' – portable cabins or 'Micro Homes' that have become increasingly popular in the US.

The couple decided to set up the hotel after developing a passion for alternative living. 

They downsized their previous home in a bid to reduce their environmental impact, while both Kol and Deb have backgrounds in environmental planning and design.

Each tiny house has electric heat, a bathroom with a flush toilet and hot shower, and a kitchen

Caravan: The Tiny House Hotel has been set up by Kol and Deb Delman in a small plot of land behind their home

They developed the concept around a year ago after buying the small plot of land next to their home, located in the popular Alberta Arts District.

'We knew there was a strong interest in tiny houses,' said Deb. 'But there weren't many options available to see and feel what it would be like to live in one.'`

'We wanted to have a place to showcase the possibilities of small living and housing. And also expose travellers to a unique take on Portland.

'Our model is to rotate them over time, so we can continue to bring in the latest and greatest models.' 

It is the first hotel of its kind in the US and follows a trend for 'Tiny Homes' – portable cabins or 'Micro Homes' that have become increasingly popular in the US

The owners of the hotel hope to expand the concept beyond the seven guest houses they currently have 

Rates start at $125-a-night (£75), with the homes accommodating between 1–4 people.

Each tiny house has electric heat, a bathroom with a flush toilet and hot shower, and a kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator, and hot plate.

'You actually get a lot more privacy than a typical hotel, because you have four walls all to yourself,' said Deb. 'But you also get that great sense of community and unique amenities not offered anywhere else.'

The seven homes are situated in a circle with a central communal area for eating and drinking.

Rates at the hotel start at £75-a-night, with the homes accommodating between 1–4 people

'People are loving it,' said Deb. 'People appreciate being someplace unusual and unique and having that balance of private and being able to meet other travellers.

'As the owners, we meet and check in every guest and are available to answer questions like a personal concierge. 

'We've also partnered with a local restaurant to provide room service until 2am. There's also a BBQ, a fire pit, Adirondack chairs, a hammock, and lots of funky, locally made metal, stained glass, and recycled art decorating the compound.

'You can rent out the whole place. It sleeps 20 people total, and we've even hosted weddings.'

'There's been such a huge interest in the one year we've been open that we've actually started Sunday tours and have gotten calls about opening other tiny house hotels,' says Deb.  

The seven homes are situated in a circle with a central communal area for eating and drinking

Kol and Deb Delman set up the unusual hotel after developing a passion for alternative living

'It's really exciting and feels like it's just the beginning of a lot of big things.'

Deb's husband Kol said the couple are huge believers in environmental living.

He said: 'Living in a smaller residential footprint is probably the most effective way to easily reduce one's energy footprint.'

Kol and Deb have found that their visitors have had no problem adapting to the small space, adding: 'Our guests love staying in the 100 sq ft tiny houses. 

'But, when you're travelling, you don't have much stuff with you. So, it's very easy to enjoy the tiny house for a night or two.

'Also, Caravan's tiny houses are actually way nicer than most hotel rooms, filled with custom, unique craftsmanship, local art guidebooks.'