Pod’ Hotel Changes NYC Lodging Dynamic

Pod’ Hotel Changes NYC Lodging Dynamic
2/8/2007 10:22:29 AM
By Glenn Haussman

This article found at:

http://www.hotelinteractive.com/index.asp?lstr=marc.simard@nscc.ca&page_id=5000&article_id=7071

When most people think about New York hotels, it’s usually the city’s luxury hotels that grab all the headlines. But those looking past the Waldorf=Astoria and the soon to reopen Plaza, will find one property at the other end of the spectrum that will soon be making headlines of its own.

Currently in soft opening, THE POD HOTEL is a sub economy property designed to appeal to younger folks who are not expecting to be enveloped in Frette linens or bathe in a bathroom lined with hand cut Italian marble. Instead, this property meshes with their target traveler’s lifestyle by giving them a quality crash pad for them to rest up after a big day (or all night) out on the town.

With room prices starting as low as $89 -- an unheard of price in a market regularly commanding $400 or more for rooms – that bargain basement price will get you a room with bunk beds, an iHome to plug in your MP3 player and a pair of small flatscreen TVs. And of course there is complimentary WiFi service. But it won’t get you a toilet or a shower. Nearly half of the property’s 347 rooms utilize shared bathrooms.

But that’s just fine with the hotel’s clientele, said Managing Director David Bernstein. “We are providing people with a good deal and a great time. The hotel is for anyone who thinks they are 18-25. We’re an antidote to the high priced NY hotel rates,” said Bernstein.

Owned by BD Hotels -- a group that has 15 hotels in New York (including The Chambers, The Maritime, Elysée and The Mercer) -- the genesis of this project came from the necessity of trying to figure out what to do with the outdated Pickwick Arms hotel. After six months of planning and plotting, the idea for THE POD HOTEL was worked out and construction commenced, transforming one floor of the hotel at a time. It officially changed names three weeks ago.

The hotel’s design is both mod and retro, stripped down yet funky. Designer Vanessa Guilford based her concepts on mass transit, and the compact design of sinks, showers and toilets mimics the feel of the lavatories on trains and planes. Other hotel design elements evoke post war 1950s kitsch with dot fabrics and metal mesh chairs while the lobby lounge features Florence Knoll sofas and club chairs with reproduction 1950’s atomic pattern fabric and George Nelson-designed light fixtures.

Bernstein said the rooms may be small, but that’s irrelevant. His core clientele is not interested in being cooped up in a room anyway. They are in New York to explore and be social. And the hotel has added several elements that play into that particular mindset to create a wholly new lodging product dependant as much on its guests to create atmosphere as the designer.

“Younger people want to be out meeting people, whether it is out in the city or on our rooftop,” said Bernstein, noting that the rooftop should be serving cold brews and wines by the time warm weather returns. There will also be some games up top to keep people entertained, and those down in the lobby will be able to see all the action via webcam.

Another unique spin will be the hotel’s concierge. Rather than have a specialist who has the juice to get clientele into sold out Broadway shows or a table at the city’s most exclusive restaurants, this concierge will offer up a listing of free or extremely inexpensive activities throughout the five boroughs. The hotel will also offer up group trips for sightseeing and nightclubs and have group tables reserved at restaurants in town to further the social aspect of the hotel’s guests even when they leave the building.

Also heightening that social interaction, Bernstein said THE POD HOTEL will have its own blog. Past, present and future guests can communicate about the hotel, things to do in NY, or to meet up in the Big Apple. Additionally, weekly one-minute clips will be posted on websites such as YouTube showing what’s happening at the hotel.

In addition to its 90 bunk-bedded rooms, THE POD HOTEL has 117 double-bedded rooms; 50 queen-bedded rooms; 64 single-bedded rooms with shared bath; 10 single-bedded rooms with private bath; nine two-bedded rooms; and seven spacious townhouse units. The townhouse units feature a living room with 25” color television, refrigerator, queen bed and sofa bed. Of the hotel’s 347 rooms, 195 rooms have private baths and 152 have shared baths.

Currently the hotel is getting a mix of about 60 percent international travelers and 40 percent domestic.