Odd lodging

[seaboy4hire]

Has anyone stayed at one of these places http://www.yotel.com/ ? Right now they are only in Europe but there is speculation that they will be coming here to the states. They look cool and comfy even if a bit on the small side but I like the concept.

 

Hugs,

Greg

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[Guest PWIT]

Would be perfect to have at airports for those for those long layovers or delayed/canceled flights.

[Guest novabear22031]

Even at airports I don't see this going over well with the pampered American tourist (keep in mind I am an American). This sort of idea has been tried before, there was something similar at Washington National Airport many years ago.

 

Just look at some of the reviews on Trip Advisor for some of the tourist class hotels in Chicago and SF. By and large many of the negatives come from Americans IMO, wanting only the very best for the very least. An en-suite is something they will only do when visiting Europe - and even then only to be "quint" - if they have too.

 

The same can be said about use of public transportation from major airports here in the states. Though to be honest for my Palm Springs trip, it would almost have been cheaper for me to rent a car for the 5 days I was there than the highway robbery for a 3 mile cab ride from the airport to my resort - given the low rental rates when I was there.

 

My rant aside, I would love to see Yotel in airports like ORD, DFW, JFK, to name a few that seem to have many delays and cancelations. Heck as close as i have been in spending an overnight at some airports on my travels this past summer - I would have liked even an option for one of those Japanese sleeping tubes as a cheaper option.

[seaboy4hire]

Bear I don't think this is meant or will be marketed towards the tourist totting along their screaming kids and the such. From the little I've read these are more geared towads the biz traveler doing it solo and packed smartly (one maybe two bags max) who needs something close to the airport incase an open flight comes up earlier then planned or for those unexpected delays that seem to pop up out of no where. I think that if placed at the larger airports that you mentioned esp in NY and ORD they'll be a hit. I remember hearing of days long waiting for fligts out of ORD and the airports in NY.

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[Guest novabear22031]

I was just making a comment about the "American" presumptions about "comfort".

 

On my trip to SF from DCA through DFW, I meet a business traveler that complained he had to pay Starwood $200 because of an AA missed connection the night before. I mentioned that it might be time for us to bring back those small airport hotels that could be had for a 4 hours or so at a time.

 

His comment was that after waiting in a cramped aircraft, and a packed terminal - he wanted more than just a place to lay his head for the night. Not what I would expect from a European traveler - business or tourist.

 

Met a business man from the UK that I chattered with about the EasyHotel (http://www.easyhotel.com/) chain at our store a few weeks ago . He admitted that he only used them if he needed a place to flop his head down for the night before the next days meetings. If there were to be meetings or traveling with family, he looked else where.

 

Friends hate it when I mention tourist class hotels for my SF or other visits. But depending the reason or the budget (in particular when I travel solo), tourist class places provide me a hopefully clean and safe place to lay my head down. My ex's idea of ruffing it was a hotel without room service.... LOL

 

That being said, Steve Stacks made a comment in another thread about a great bed and soft towels. I am beginning to better understand his comment after staying at the Westin Market Street SF a couple of weeks ago.

 

When I tried to cancel my standard room, I was automatically upgraded to a confirmed suite for the same cost. WOW! The best $400 over the tourist class hotel I had planned at staying at. Well, $435 because I had to pay for 3 days internet service. <eek> Now that was living for my four nights there!

 

Could I have been as happy at the Stratford on Bush in their Queen Centennial room? Perhaps... My next trip to Sf may give me a chance to relook at that room.

[Tommygunzz]

We stayed at something similar last year enroute to Bali. We arrived in Singapore in the middle of the night and had a 7 hour layover. The hotel was INSIDE the airport and the best part was that we did not have to go through customs or immigration. We didn't have to claim our checked bags either, since we were in transit, and only had our carry on to drag around. In the morning, we went directly to our gate without any security or immigration issues.

 

No doubt about it the room was sssmmmmalll! Twin beds, TV, a desk, small refrigerator and tiny bathroom, with shower. No windows. It was quiet and really all we needed to catch a quick nap and a shower before continuing on. Better than trying to sleep in a chair or on the floor out in the terminal.

 

We paid by the hour, and I think our bill was around $100 USD for both of us, but really well worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat in a similar situation.

 

But, would I do it if I was on vacation in NYC or Paris? Not so much.

[+ deej]

Oh, I would definitely use something like that on a layover.

 

If there was something like it in WeHo (for example) I could see it being very popular with people like me who don't want to party and then have a long drive home.

 

When the O'Hare Hilton opened, it touted being "in" the airport, which is true to a point. You still have to leave security and the airport itself, and it's a full-priced room. (When you can get one.)

 

I hope the hotel industry will step up with facilities like this as air travel further devolves.

[Guest novabear22031]

Yeah, the problem with the ORD Hilton is that it now serves as a conference center for business groups - making it impossible to get one of the high priced rooms.

[Guest novabear22031]

Yeah, the problem with the ORD Hilton is that it now serves as a conference center for business groups - making it impossible to get one of the high priced rooms.