One Northern Germany hotel is charging overnight guests based on their weight.

According to Reuters, visitors to the town of Norden, close to the Dutch border, are asked to step onto scales before moving into their rooms. The rate is based on half a euro (U.S. 61 cents) per kilogram (2.2 pounds).

Juergen Heckrodt, owner of the three-star establishment, explains, "I had many guests who were really huge, and I told them to slim down. When they came back the year after and had lost a lot of weight they asked me, what are you going to do for me now?"

Heckrodt hopes his initiative will inspire Germans to become leaner and healthier, adding, "Healthy guests live longer and can come back more often."