Are sex doll brothels the future of prostitution in Europe?
The sex industry has undergone major changes over the past 50 years, thanks to technology. From VHS and internet porn to VR, teledildonics, and cyber-sex, the way people experience intimacy—whether solo or with a partner—keeps evolving. Now, that evolution is extending to prostitution.
Love dolls have been around for years, but recent advancements have transformed them from basic inflatables to lifelike companions, offering a far more immersive experience. With growing curiosity and few downsides, more men are eager to try this new frontier of sex, and businesses across Europe are taking notice. As a result, sex doll brothels are popping up in multiple countries, catering to this rising demand.
Below, we explore the growing popularity of sex doll brothels across Europe, including a country-by-country guide on where to find them.
Sex Doll Brothels
What Is a Sex Doll Brothel?
Sometimes referred to as ‘sex robot whorehouses’ or ‘cyber-brothels’, a sex doll bordello is one where customers can pay to have sex with a synthetic love doll.
Made from medical grade, latex-free synthetic materials, usually TPE or silicon, moulded over a metal skeleton, these dolls offer (according to some) a ‘realistic’ sexual experience.
Each brothel varies in terms of where the dolls are manufactured and the kinds of features offered, but some can talk, have warm skin and/or vagina and can offer a wide range of looks and physical body types.
Entrepreneurs who have opened these sex doll brothels have been innovative about creating a character around their ‘products’. So, instead of just booking a session with a ‘faceless’ sex doll, clients get a backstory about their companion, complete with personality and even some roleplay thrown in.
Weighing Up The Pros and Cons
The oldest profession in the world, prostitution generates billions of Euros each year, with millions of sex workers employed, servicing a steady business demand.
Despite the apparent benefits to the economy, paid sex work is only fully legalised in eight European nations (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, Hungary, Greece, Latvia and the Netherlands).
The reason?
Prostitution is still a stigmatised industry, with those who operate within it labelled as either deviants or victims. And, whilst there are some very dark undercurrents associated with the world of sex work, such as human trafficking, coercion and abuse, there are many women (and men) who enjoy the work they do and make good money doing it.
This brings us to one of the first cons….
“Sex Doll Brothels Take Business Away From Real Sex Workers”
There are two sides to this argument, and the first is from the people it affects the most: working girls.
Yes, there is no doubt about the fact that a customer who pays to have sex with a love doll may well be denying an income to a real-life prostitute. However, there is a counter argument that the people who choose to do so may well only be tempted because of a) the novelty factor b) the fact that dolls aren’t human and/or c) they are marketed as being safer than sex with a human.
Another element to factor into this debate is the fact that customers who use sex doll brothels who may be paying for sex for the first time could find that these dolls become a ‘gateway’ to using the services of a real prostitute in future.
There is no empirical evidence either way to support whether sex dolls are causing a decline in business for prostitutes, but what we do know is that competition in any industry is never a bad thing. Indeed, if another brothel opened in a city, there would not be the same level of outcry. Instead, the main objection to these sex dolls appears to be a very human one: a fear that we will be replaced by technology.
The second major ‘con’ of a sex doll over a human prostitute is an obvious one but one which may also be a ‘pro’ for some people. Sex dolls are passive participants in the service they provide. Although the technology is getting better with sensors allowing them to respond, warm synthetic skin and voice mechanisms, etc….ultimately, they don’t play any ‘active’ part in a session.
This leads us to one of the main objections that activists against sex dolls have in general.
It is the very fact that these sex toys are ‘non-consensual’ that causes concern. Some opponents to the idea of sex doll brothels in Europe have even claimed that these venues are (ostensibly) places where men can ‘simulate the rape of women’.
It’s an outrageous claim, but, after all, what kind of a person would prefer to have sex with something innate rather than a real person, right?
Well, there is a counterargument to that as well, which we’ll get to.
So, on to the pros.
First up is the novelty factor.
Sex dolls are expensive, and the cost to own one is prohibitive for most people at over €2,000; sometimes a lot more and considerably more expensive than an AI girlfriend. Instead, a sex doll brothel gives people the chance to try one out, often before they buy one themselves. In this way, love doll manufacturers are keen to help fund and promote these businesses to demonstrate their ‘wares’.
Plus, as something to tick off your bucket list, having sex with a cyber woman is pretty unique.
Secondly, there are those people who claim that having sex with a doll is far safer than paying for sex with a human.
However, don’t be fooled by this statement. In those countries where prostitution is legalised and regulated, sex workers are routinely obliged to undergo medical examinations to rule out any STIs. In these countries, it is usually compulsory to use condoms.
With sex dolls, legislation is far less clear, and the laws and guidelines have to be adapted as sex brothels evolve. In most countries, there will be some guidance on hygiene protocols, but whether these provisions are adequate is yet to be seen. All of the brothels currently operating in Europe claim that they ensure dolls are thoroughly sanitised between use, but there is still some risk of exposure…albeit far less than with a human.
Another benefit of ‘prostitution’ with a sex doll is that, legally, it doesn’t violate laws in many countries, and morally, many customers feel they aren’t breaking any codes either. For some, paying to have sex with a person constitutes infidelity, but with a sex doll, this is different.
Another plus side is the fact that there are no issues around human trafficking or coercion when it comes to paying for sex with a love doll. A simple ‘product’, these dolls are not victims of a wider criminal network or have been abused.
And, coming back to the question of ‘what kind of person pays to have sex with an inanimate object?
Surely the kind who have problematic views of women as ‘objects’?”…quite the opposite is being mooted. There are some counsellors and professionals who believe that men (and it is mainly men) who pay to have sex with a doll may be the kind of people who lack the confidence and social skills actually to do the deed with a real person.
And, for those ‘non-normative’ sexual fantasies, love dolls may very well be a way to experiment safely.
Overall, there are lots of good reasons why sex doll brothels are a good idea, but the only real negative factor is the economic one, which is faced by sex workers themselves.
Where to Find Europe’s Sex Doll Brothels
So, where are all these cyber prostitutes waiting to service your needs?
Austria: Kontakthof Brothel
Kontakthof Brothel (Wiener Laufhaus), Erlaaerstrasse37, A-1230 Vienna
A brothel with a stable of regular (real-life) working girls, the Kontakthof brothel has embraced the idea of new technology. It offers a sex doll service alongside a more traditional approach to sex work.
They were one of the first brothels in Europe to offer this addition to its services. ‘Fanny’ proved very popular in Vienna when they added her to their staff rota in 2017. She was so popular, in fact, that they had to purchase a second model the same year to meet growing demand.
It’s not entirely clear whether they still offer sex dolls, but the Kontakthof brothel is open daily from 9.00am to 11.00pm.
Denmark: Dollhouse
The Doll House brothel located in the Vissenbjerg district of Aarhus opened in March 2018 to a mixed opinion as many other sex doll bordellos. Marketing itself as ‘the place where all gentlemen are welcome and where girls don’t say no’, the launch was surrounded with a great deal of negative media attention. In turn, this led to complaints from neighbours resulting in the landlord terminating the lease on the property.
However, the positive response from customers and overwhelming support from investors and some parts of the community has seen the business flourish at a new location.
The owners are keen to highlight the benefits of their service and the lack of any negative aspects such as human trafficking, coercion and sexual safety. They also go to some lengths to ensure that their dolls are treated with the same respect as humans, and they do not allow any violence with the ‘girls’.
Like many brothels, rooms at the Doll House are themed for a touch of fantasy roleplay and clients can opt for an experience in a classroom, living room or doctor’s office.
Staffed by four realistic TPE sex dolls, the current prices for a session with one of their dolls is:
- 30 minutes for 600 kr (approximately €80)
- 60 minutes for 1000 kr (approximately €130)
The Doll House brothel is open seven days a week from 10.00am to 8.00pm.
France: Xdolls
The Xdolls brothel in Paris was opened in February 2018 and has faced quite some opposition with the business, causing a stir with the Senate. Despite having to move location, Xdolls is still in operation and offers a choice of four different sex dolls for a private session.
- Lily – Brunette with a large buxom and ample buttocks.
- Sofia – An athletic, tall and well ‘stacked’ blonde Western girl with a firm body.
- Candice – A petite blonde with an athletic figure and blue eyes.
- Sarah – A slim brunette with perky breasts.
Prices at Xdolls are charged by the hour as follows:
- 1 Hour – €89
- 2 Hours – €149
- Each addition hour thereafter – €75
Germany: BorDoll
Bickefeldstraße 11-13, 44269 Dortmund
Offering the ‘new generation of sex’ to local and visiting customers in Dortmund, BorDoll was opened in 2017 by the current owner, Madam Evelyn Schwarz.
A specialist brothel that only offers the passive services of synthetic girls, they have one of the largest selections of sex dolls on offer. Their stable currently extends to around a dozen models, including a male sex doll for gay men and women, plus there are a couple of newcomers coming soon.
It is the first and only sex doll brothel in Germany (surprising – given the size of the adult sector!) and is situated in a quiet neighbourhood south of the city in a studio once designed entirely for BDSM. Schwarz has told journalists that she initially turned to silicone dolls to staff her premises after she struggled to find German-speaking women to work in the business.
The diversity in their ‘staff’ gives customers far more choices and includes a variety of ethnicities, body shapes and even species…yes, there is a fantasy elf doll and even a ‘sleepy’ one whose eyes are closed.
All of their dolls are realistically crafted using medical-grade silicone (TPE) and are of a high quality.
Prices at BorDoll are currently charged as follows:
- 30 minutes for €50 (+€50 for a second doll)
- 60 minutes for €80 (+€70 for a second doll)
- 90 minutes for €120 (+€100 for a second doll)
- 120 minutes for €150 (+€120 for a second doll)
There is also a special offer whereby customers can book five hours with three dolls for €550
BorDoll is open daily from 11.00am to 9.00pm (including public holidays and Sundays).
Italy: LumiDolls
The Turin LumiDolls Love Hotel currently has seven sex dolls to sample, including one male model. Each comes with a unique backstory, more details of which you can find online:
- Kate – A 22-year old Spanish/Portuguese student from Miami, Kate was born in Cape Verde. She is a diminutive love doll at just 4’ 10” with D cup breasts.
- Ilary – An athletic model from Germany, Ilary has a round ass, D cup breasts and is 5’ 2” tall. She likes oral and anal sex and has a reputation for her strong and sturdy figure.
- Molly – A beach-blonde ‘Californian’, this love doll is working in Europe as a lap dancer with a K cup rack and standing at 5’ 1” tall.
- Alessan – A native from the south of Italy, Alessan is the male sex doll on offer at the Turin brothel and works as a mountain climbing instructor. He is well muscled with defined abs and arms and is open to gay sex.
- Eva – A 26-year old native Italian who has been ‘working’ since she was 16, Eva cuts an impressive figure with a D-cup breast and seductive curves.
- Arisa – Born in Malaysia, Arisa is a 22-year old runaway. Abandoning her husband-to-be on their wedding day, she found herself in Europe to find her ‘handsome partner in crime’. With pale skin, dark Oriental looks and a shapely 5’ 4” D-cup figure, she is a popular choice.
- Naomi – Originating from Shanghai, this Asian love doll is a techno geek with a thin and well sculptured body. At 5’ 1” with an A cup breast, she is a petite girl who can handle some rough play.
Prices at the Turin Love Doll Brothel are current charged as follows:
- 30 minutes for €80
- 60 minutes for €100
- 120 minutes for €180
Russia: LumiDolls
Opened in April 2018, Moscow was the second location for the international sex doll manufacturer Lumidolls.
The ‘hotel’ was open in time for the World Cup and was reportedly a big hit with fans of all nations. Whether they had more dolls available to cope with peak times is unknown, but there are now just two models available at the Moscow Love Doll Hotel:
- Natasha – With the ‘Face of an angel, curves of Venus’, Natasha is a ’24-year old- music school student with long dark hair
- Naya –‘Burning with desire when snowing outside’. Naya is an open-minded ’28-year old’ pub owner looking for a foreign man to show her tenderness before taking her roughly. Naya is 5’ tall with long brunette hair, piercing green eyes and an H cup breast with wide hips.
The current rates for an appointment with a love doll at the Lumidolls hotel in Moscow are as follows:
- 30 minutes for €80
- 60 minutes for €100
- 120 minutes for €180
Spain: LumiDolls (at Apricots)
Lumidolls is an international manufacturer of its own brand of sex dolls and can lay claim to opening the world’s first-ever love doll brothel in Barcelona.
Launched in 2017, the company offers the sexual services of its dolls through the Apricots Brothel and Escort Agency. Lumidolls make premium quality sex dolls that are hyper-realistic, latex-free and include multiple holes for penetration (ass, mouth and vagina).
The bordello can offer you some time with one of nine Lumidolls, including one male. As ever, the appeal of a love doll is not just in the product itself but in the character built up around the service. The selection at Apricots includes some ‘native’ Europeans as well as a fantasy and Asian love doll:
- Kira – A local, this Spanish sex doll has long black hair, deep dark eyes and a sultry pout.
- Brandy – Another Barcelona native, this love doll is a ‘cheating MILF’.
- Emma – The Italian ‘translator’ sex doll, married and into BDSM.
- Miriam – A Portuguese sex doll with bright red hair and who enjoys dressing up.
- Reya – A ‘Japanese’ love doll with long platinum hair who enjoys cosplay.
- Katy – The Danish photography model with a voluptuous figure and long blonde hair.
- Debora – The brunette BDSM ‘bottom’ who likes it rough.
- Arwen – The ‘Elf’ complete with pointed ears, playful features and an impish body with big boobs.
- Ken – a male sex doll from Latvia, this cyber love is toned and slim with a big dick.
Rates for your appointment with one of their dolls are currently priced as follows:
- 30 minutes for €80
- 60 minutes for €100
- 120 minutes for €180
The brothel is also reported to be able to offer a virtual reality service with its love dolls.
United Kingdom: Dolly Parlour
Offering a passionate experience without limits’, the Dolly Parlour in London has two dolls available for rental:
- Brittney – At 5’ 2”, her DD breasts appear even more enormous but this buxom blonde with waist length hair is no demure ‘lady’. Far from it, Brittney’s curvy ass and ‘pillow-like lips’ have seen kinky and rough.
- Jenny – A 5’ 4” model with D cup breasts, Jenny is a brunette sex doll that has proven very popular with customers.
Prices for a session with one the London Love Dolls is currently priced as follows:
- 30 minutes for £50 (roughly €60)
- 60 minutes for £80 (roughly €95)
- 120 minutes for £150 (roughly €180)
The Future of Sex Doll Brothels in Europe
For some, the popularity of these brothels may largely be down to their novelty and there have been several venues that have had a short-lived moment in the spotlight, including:
- Unique Dolls, Helsinki, Finland—A Russian entrepreneur opened the brothel in the capital city in November 2019. It offered customers an experience with one of four dolls for €100 per hour. Located in an unassuming location beside a shopping mall, it lasted about six months before closing its doors earlier this year.
- Scotland – a small village to the south-east of Glasgow, this brothel was only open for a few weeks before complaints from unhappy neighbours and negative media attention forced the establishment to close.
As we reported this time last year, the LuminaDolls venue in Turin also faced some difficulties of its own in November 2018 when questions were raised over hygiene.
Many saw this as a bureaucratic attempt to prevent the establishment from operating. However, LuminaDolls was able to reopen after satisfying officials that their methods of sanitising the dolls were adequate.
At the moment, it may be too early to tell whether cyber-brothels can long survive in our communities.
There will always be a need for prostitution, but whether men can warm to the idea (beyond the novelty factor) of sex with a doll over a real woman is the key matter. Indeed, the premium prices being asked for such an experience may just put the service out of reach for some customers.
When you consider the cost of sex with a prostitute in some of these cities is far cheaper then the pure economics of this kind of venture will soon become apparent.
We think that there is certainly room for both kinds of sexual service to exist, and love doll ‘brothels’ or hotels certainly seem to make sense in those countries where sex work is illegal. The demand for prostitution is as high as it has ever been, and offering more choice with less risk is undoubtedly only a good thing.
