Every so often we get to stay in a hotel that is a break from the traditional chain brand over-nighter. Last weekend in Portland we were able to stay in one of those hotels, the Hotel Lucia, located directly downtown. From the moment we had the door opened for us and were greeted by the friendly front desk staff we knew it was different. What is this strange feeling? Could it be the good customer service that my parents told me of when I was a child? All the way up to our room, which happened to be a corner with an excellent view of the city streets, we noticed these differences. The lobby that was modern and inviting, the hallways were lined with classy black and white photographs, personally unique room keycards, and the list goes on and on.

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You know I am an advocate for hostels and unique hotels. Recently, I wrote a blog post about Switzerland’s first 1 star hotel in which they have transformed an old nuclear bunker into a hotel. Well by golly it’s time for another rendition of jaw dropping budget hotel options. Check out this old Pan Am 747 that has been turned into a hostel in Sweden! I mean why not? Old lighthouses, trains, and other unique facilities are often turned into hostels why not a giant (really expensive) airplane? And you even can get married in the left wing- sounds like a dream wedding to me. The hostel rates range from $40 for a bed in a shared four-bed dormitory to $170 for a private room with a twin bed and a single bed. The bridal suite costs $420 per night. The Jumbo Hostel is set to open January 15 but has been taking reservations for awhile now. The good thing about it is it’s very accessible by the airport!

 

 

photo credit goes to Jumbo Hostel

Ok…. I know I am all about living life on the budget and traveling for as cheaply as possible- but I don’t even think I would consider staying in Switzerland’s first zero star hotel. Now if you haven’t heard of a zero star hotel before- imagine in your head for a moment what you think the hotel would consist of. Perhaps you would sleep on old gym mats on the floor. Perhaps you would be sleeping in an old hospital’s triage unit. Maybe there would be one bathroom for twenty people.

Well I bet you didn’t think it could you would be staying in an old nuclear bunker converted into a hotel! For only £6 (which would be the equivalent to almost $9.00) you can sleep underground in a bunker. Ok it does sound a little cool- and really I might be willing to try it out except there is no heating (mind you it is underground) so you are provided rubber water bottles for your bed. Also because the ventilation system is so dang loud you are provided earplugs. A lottery is held to see who gets the hot water in their morning shower and there are no windows. Basically you are sleeping in a prison cell.

If this is starting to sound horrid, it’s ok-you can always upgrade to a luxury room for £11. Now you get an antique bed from a condemned hotel. Wow- sounds….luxurious? I know it’s cheap but really? I mean you’ve got to have standards people! It would be kind of cool to say you stayed in an underground nuclear bunker in Switzerland, and it is pretty cheap, I could see how there could be some benefits… Ok I retract my previous statement I might actually stay in this hotel.

Check out the YouTube video on the Null Stern Hotel!

This post will be my first in a series of posts I will write on interesting and unique hotels that are also wallet friendly. Hotels have become such an integral component of vacations, among the many amenities that are now offered at a variety of hotels that aide in making a vacation as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.  Because of this, choosing a hotel that fits your individual needs and desires as well as budget, has become quite a challenge. 

This post is focusing on The Pod Hotel. It’s a unique and modern hotel that is also an affordable option for the notoriously expensive New York hotel market. The Pod Hotel, formerly the Pickwick Arms, has been redesigned into a modern form on a technically advanced hostel and hotel. The Pod’s unique room features include: iPod docking stations,LCD-screen televisions with cable, free WiFi, wireless mini bar, and rain-style shower heads, just to name a few.  The hotel also has a rooftop deck and a garden style cafe. The hotel offers rooms that share bathrooms, private rooms, and studio style townhouses, many different styles to fit your personal needs.

It’s a great choice for younger travelers who aren’t brave enough to try hostels because the room rates are so affordable. Rooms start at $89 per night and range all the way up to $229- a steal for downtown New York City. One of my favorite things about this hotel is the Pod Community Blog which acts as an online concierge as sorts and allows for guests who are currently staying at the hotel to interact, ask questions, get recommendations and make requests. Questions posted on the site by guests are monitored and answered directly by the hotel’s concierge.

I honestly think we are going to see more and more hotels of these sorts pop up in large metropolitan cities around the country. At least I hope they catch on (or franchise). This is a clearly targeted demographic (one that I’m proud to be a part of) that is looking for hotels with these amentities. The Pod Hotel is pushing the boundaries of the traditional hotels by being above the technology curve. Can’t wait until I have the opportunity to visit New York- have been wanting to check out The Pod myself for some time now. If you get there before me- let me know what it’s like!

Staying at hostels are a great way to save some money while also receiving a unique traveling experience. It’s also the adventure of the unknown that can be quite exciting. Some hostels are so nice, some are in unique buildings, and some are a little scary. The people you will meet will be different then those you would run into at a hotel- and I would challenge you to interact and learn from those individuals.

There are plenty of websites out there that can help you locate a hostel to stay at- one including hostels.com which also helps you book online as well.

Here are some things to consider when determining whether or not staying at a hostel is right for you:

1) Are you ok without having a private bathroom and sharing with complete strangers?

2) Are you ok to live without luxury for a few days in sacrifice to visit somewhere amazing?

3) Do weird people creep you out?

Putting that aside my first stay at a hostel I was scared. I had no idea what to expect except for what I had seen on TV. But it was fun, clean and more importantly cheap. For more adventurous travelers I would definitely recommend it, however I do offer this advice:

Bring your own towel and in some cases you might have to provide your own bedding so find that out ahead of time

Don’t expect HBO in your bedroom (although I have stayed in hostels with cable tv before)

And finally just in case bring flip flops to wear in the shower- because you just never know!