What is it?
CityHub, in a nutshell, is a “urban hotel for digital natives”. It is an ingenious champion of tech-infused hospitality. Think: part hotel, part hostel, part tech heaven. As the name suggests, at CityHub guests sleep in futuristic, app-connected, private hubs inspired by Japanese capsule hotels. In 2016, CityHub received the award for Best Innovation in Hotel Concept at the Worldwide Hospitality Awards, and it’s easy to see why!
CityHub is an initiative by college buddies Sem Schuurkes (34) and Pieter van Tilburg (32). In 2015 CityHub opened its first branch consisting of 50 hubs on the Bellamystraat in Amsterdam. Right from the get-go the Amsterdam branch has featured among the best-rated hotel experiences on Trip Advisor and all the well-known booking websites.
Lauded for its digital-first stance and futuristic aesthetic, CityHub replaces the traditional hotel room with sleek Hubs, allowing travellers to curate and own their stay inside and out and delivering unforgettable city breaks. A dedicated team of ‘CityHosts’ are at hand 24/7 to ensure guests make the most of the CityHub facilities, and to help them navigate the city. Following its Amsterdam success, CityHub opened its second location in Rotterdam in 2018. Recently, CityHub announced the opening of its newest location in summer 2020. Frequently recognised as one of the most healthiest and happiest cities in the world, Copenhagen is the Dutch brand’s first property outside The Netherlands. “CityHub Copenhagen is our first milestone in international development.
As a city known for its pioneering design and hospitality excellence, Copenhagen is a perfect fit for the brand,” says Pieter van Tilburg. “We plan to open ten more CityHubs across Europe’s key gateway cities within the next five years. We look forward to announcing our next locations soon.”
Why it’s Cool?
· Check-in is a self-service affair, which can be performed 24/7 via touchscreen kiosks in the lobby.
· In-hub amenities include built-in speakers, and app-controllable mood lighting, alarms and playlists.
· The hotel has its own multi-functional app which acts as a local area guide, a virtual concierge, an instant messaging platform and a means of contacting the property’s ‘CityHosts’ for tips and advice whilst guests are out exploring.
· Guests are given multi-function RFID wristbands which are not only hassle-free hub access keys, but can also be used to pay for drinks and snacks at the hotel’s self-service bar, as well as to access private guest lockers available at the property.
· Their CityHub app offers guests access to their very own MiFi hotspot mobile route when out and about in Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
Why it has future growth potential?
This concept of a hotel is really fun & interesting especially for the Generation Y travellers that are all about a digital lifestyle such as the magic wristbands open Hubs and tap beers for the guests which makes them feel like their own bartender.
They are connected 24/7 and are comfortable in a world filled with touch screens and quick service. It is a place where the comfort of a hotel merges with the feeling of belonging to a community, not to mention the convenience of a hostel.
Last but not least, it provides a new and focused way of autonomous travel experience, inspiring their guests to see more of the city than just its tourist spots by supporting the locals which can show them the hidden gems of the area.
