local Archives - Wander-Lust

02 nov 2015

Now open » City Hub Amsterdam

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On november 2, 2015 With 1 Comment

I recently posted about getting the local experience whilst visiting another country. Well, we can add one more to this list.
City Hub. I was at the opening and asked manager Pieter Van Tilburg a few questions.

So what’s City Hub?
City Hub is a hotel/hostel with private privileges in a local part of Amsterdam.
Instead of dorms or hotel rooms, you sleep in a private cabin. These fit up to 2 people.
Each Hub has a giant, double bed, wifi, app-controlled lighting and a personal audio streaming system. Pretty cool.
There are a total of 50 cabins and you share the toilets and showers.

Small but comfy!

Looking good! Showers and toilets (Source: City Hub)

So why is it extra special?
City Hub is a digital hostel/hotel. You make your reservation online (or you can always walk in) and you enter your details into the computers at the entrance. This is the way you check in. After this, you will receive a wristband. With this you can open your cabin door, enter City Hub and buy yourself or your friends drinks at the self service bar. Yes, you can tap your own beer. Brilliant!

The key to everything..

Location, Location, Location
City Hub is situated in a cool area of Amsterdam. Not near the Dam square or other touristy places but right in the heart of where you will find cool shops, restaurants, galleries, coffee bars and markets.
This way you can really enjoy the perks of Amsterdam and feel like a local. At City Hub, there is always a city host available to give you inside tips or help you with anything you need. Day and night.

Tap your own beer at City Hub!

The app
There will be an app available soon where you can get in touch with fellow City Hubbers, exchange discoveries and suggestions. With the app you can also control your own Hub like managing the lights, play music or set the alarm.

City Hub is now open for business. Cabins are available from 59 euro’s.
Book yours now at www.cityhub.com

Love,

Elke

12 okt 2015

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips With No Comments Permalink

These website will make you feel like a local, anywhere in the world!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On oktober 12, 2015 With No Comments

Wander-Lust is all for getting the local experience whilst traveling. We are happy to say that more and more companies are seeing the advantage of this and play into the needs of travelers. There are a few new (and older) companies out there that are focusing on the local experience and we would love to share them with you!

1. Yays Amsterdam
This company offers travelers to stay in their beautiful boutique apartments just outside the city center of Amsterdam. This way you can really experience Amsterdam like a true local! All apartments are settled in old historic buildings in exiting areas throughout the city. And when we say apartments, we mean apartments! There’s a fully equipped kitchen, livingroom, bathroom and of course a lovely bedroom. This way you can feel really at home. Every property has it’s own neighborhood concierge who knows the area inside out so you have first hand tips about where you should go during the day and night. At the moment Yays is only operating in Amsterdam but rest assured they will grow rapidly and extend. You can find Yays apartments at the Bickersgracht, Oostenburgergracht en Zoutkeetsgracht.
www.yays.com

Sarah and I at Yays Zoutkeetsgracht

The most authentic experiences are not in guides, but in people

Discovering Street Art in Amsterdam with trip4real.

3. BlaBla Car
They’ve been around for a while but their app has improved a lot since then. Carpooling done clever. Available world widely now, you can hitch a ride with a stranger who has an empty seat available. You pay half the gas tank from where you get in until you get off and you get a cheap ride to..where ever! The app is available on IOS & Android. Check BlaBlaCar.

4. With Locals
This is a company that truly connects locals to visitors and the other way around. Just select the country where you’re going to be and pick a local that will take you for a walk in the jungle, enjoy a home cooked Thai meal or learn about the famous landmarks of Italy. Their mission is to connect people and cultures through food and unique experiences. You can sign up as a host or traveler and book an experience at a fair price. Good for you and for the local community! It’s widely available in 13 countries (including The Netherlands) and covers most of south east Asia. I will check it out when I’m in the Philippines this year! www.withlocals.com

Clear messages!

5. Nightswapping
We have written about this great concept before. Nightswapping is like Airbnb but here you trade/exchange nights instead of paying for it.
How does it work? Nightswapping.com

Let us know what your true local experience was!

Love,

Elke

16 mrt 2015

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Lifestyle Permalink

Top 5 » Wander Spots around the world

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On maart 16, 2015

I have traveled a lot and one thing I love to do is walking around and find that piece that you keep with you for ever.
From luxury goods in London to quirky finds in Panama, to large shopping in New York, I can easily wander away for hours or a whole day.

Hereby a few of my wander spots…