Denmark ‘pod hotel’ caters to minimalists

Budget and business travelers to Amsterdam route can look into a self-service lodging option, the Qbic Hotel, which opened last year in the Amsterdam World Trade Center.

Another of the low-cost pod hotels, this one’s Web site (www.qbichotels.com) touts rates as low as 39 euros, or about $57 a night.

But the lowest we found online was 69 euro, or about $100 a night, double, including all taxes and fees.

The rooms are cubelike and minimalist, and the is lobby modern and chic, with a digital kiosk and a touch screen that guests can use to find dining or entertainment options.

Vending machines dispense everything from champagne to USB memory sticks.

According to Fodor’s: “You’ll forgive the so-called Cubi’s doorless bathroom and gimmicky LED lighting once you plunge into the extra-long Hastens bed and zap on the flat-screen TV.” Fodor’s also notes that you can’t control the air conditioning, and the windows don’t open.

Qbics also have opened in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and Antwerp, Belgium.

Information: www.qbichotels.com.