The capsule hotel concept no longer is exclusive to the land of the rising sun. Almost three years ago it first arrived in Europe – as indicated in a previous post – in a market that was in desperate need of budget accommodation. And although the same cannot be said of Amsterdam, the city’s hospitality scene has seen an overall hotel boom as of late that’s also shaking up matters in the budget segment of the market. Recently opened in Oud West, an area of town with a dramatically improved hipness factor, Cityhub features 50 state-of-the-art sleeping units, or hubs in founders’ jargon, set within a spacious 600 sqm. [6,458 sq.ft.] warehouse designed by Studio Überdutch.

The hotel is a collab effort of Sem Schuurkes and Pieter van Tilburg, two college friends and entrepreneurs with an avid interest in travel. The duo first tested the pod concept on a much smaller scale in the very same emerging neighbourhood. Acknowledging the hugely positive response, they secured sufficient funds to take matters to the next level. Totally in sync with today’s savvy digital generation – not surprisingly, its target demographic – Cityhub offers hospitality with a compatible hi-tech edge. Next to a comfy double bed, each hub comes with a nifty and rather versatile app.

It not only allows to control the hub’s mood lighting, alarm clock and music streaming, but also provides an interactive city guide brimming with useful pointers and events, and a chat room to connect with other guests. And obviously, the Wifi that enables it all is complimentary. Modern comfort extends well beyond the privacy of the hubs, and is arguably most evident in Cityhub’s lobby and lounge. Pairing exposed red bricks with polished concrete flooring, it’s furnished with appealing design that adds up to the friendly, welcoming vibe. Acknowledging the assertivity of its guests, Cityhub anticipates by providing them with a personal RFID wristband that enables an easy breezy self check-in and ditto self service at the cozy lounge bar.

via Superfuture