I am a Baby Boomer and a business traveler who normally stays at the classic hotels or at chain hotels like the Sheraton’s or Hilton’s. While on a business trip to Paris and Amsterdam with my wife, we had a one night layover before our morning flight to the US. My frugal wife chose the Citizen M for its location (3 min walk from the airport) and price (around 150 euros including taxes.)
Even though I stay in hotels in almost every continent over 125 nights a year, this one blew my socks off! This is the future of hotels. Everything is computerized, automated and easy to use. Check in and check out are done at a kiosk (similar to an ATM) with a credit card. Your room key is automatically produced. The rooms are small – barely large enough for two people - but amazingly well designed. To save space there is no separate bathroom/shower area. Instead, the bathroom is just a “pod” with a curved glass door that shuts around the john. The shower is the same. Everything is run from a Phillip’s remote: lighting, cooling, window shades, TV (free premium programming), as well as music and mood lighting.
The bed is part of the room – built in and under the huge window. Very comfortable conformable foam mattress.
Very utilitarian – neon plastic hangers for clothes, a couple of towel bars, and you’re done.
Twenty-four hour self-service food area, fully stocked bar, and super young, friendly staff: reminded me of an Apple store. And speaking of Apple: there are a half-dozen Macs with 24″ screens in the lobby for anyone to use. The lobby also features several meeting areas and areas set up like your own living room with bookshelves, built-in television, and nice lighting for reading.
This is not for everyone: you need to like technology and travel lightly. Focus is on young, technically-savvy travelers who need the free ubiquitous wifi, the snacks 24×7, the low prices and the completely personalized features. For some of us old guys, it’s a bit over the top. Where’s my wood paneling, brandy in a snifter and leather wingback chair? But I still give it a bunch of stars and realize it’s where hotels are heading. Japan’s had similar ones for a long time and now we in the West are catching up.
