Hotel Review: Qbic Amsterdam

By Latitude34 @Lat34Travel

 

Qbic offers one of the more unique and fun hotel concepts we have ever experienced. We found the Qbic London City location while in England a couple months ago and absolutely loved it, so when we planned a trip to Amsterdam, where their other location is, we knew exactly where to stay. First things first, Qbic Amsterdam is not located in the heart of downtown Amsterdam but don’t let that stop you at all. We had wished it was closer in to the city enter as well but as soon as we jumped on the train and saw how easy it was to get around, we embraced being a bit out of the party madness and out of the center of town a bit.

‘Now to the rooms, the best part of Qbic Amsterdam. Ever wanted to go to space? Sleep in a pod? Feel like you are living in the future?’

Located steps from the  Zuid metro stop, it couldn’t be located any closer to public transportation if it tried. One of the first things you will notice about Qbic, as soon as you walk in the front door, is that you are not sure if it is more like a hostel or a 5 star luxury hotel. It has the familiar feelings of a hostel, the friendly staff, laughing common area full of guests and a hip, fresh vibe. But you’ll also notice it is incredible clean, up scale, has fantastic design elements and feels very posh. Qbic has really taken the hostel model and stripped out all that is awful about them, added in luxury elements and in doing so, created one of the coolest hotel experiences around. The internet is always free, the rooms are sound proof, a super healthy breakfast spread and everything is extremely clean.

Now to the rooms, the best part of Qbic Amsterdam. Ever wanted to go to space? Sleep in a pod? Feel like you are living in the future? Each Qbic room features a pod unit which contains a bed, tv, bathroom and shower, all neatly organized in a futuristic unit placed in each room. I would have been the coolest kid in town if I had a Qbic pod in my bedroom when I was 11, and come to think of it, I’d be the coolest grown up if I had one now.

In addition to providing an upscale mix between business casual and traveler zen (is that a term?) Qbic Amsterdam also focuses on healthy eating and daily exercise, but not in an annoying preachy way. As we said, the breakfast is healthy, robust and hearty, containing a great mix of fruits, cheeses, meats, fresh breads, yogurt, etc. Yes, it might be the classic hotel breakfast fare, but the quality is what makes it different, you will start your day feeling healthy and energetic, not weighed down by slop. Another unique and progressive option the Qbic Amsterdam is starting to offer is a partnership with a really cool tour guiding company which offer sightseeing morning runs, how cool is that? If you are feeling energetic and want to start your day of right, not get lost AND see some sights, you can take off on a jogging tour with a guide, see amazing sights in the beautiful morning light and then enjoy a full breakfast, all before your boyfriend wakes up.

So, unless you are 18 and want to drink the night away in the middle of the chaos, Qbic Amsterdam will most likely exceed all of your expectations for a hotel. You won’t regret a stay, will be well fed, meet the friendliest staff we’ve encountered and most likely be left hoping to find more Qbic locations on your future travels.