Pod Hotels - Affordable And Convenient

Have you heard of pod hotels? Pod hotels are the newest trend in budget accommodation for the people on the go who are willing to stay in a small room with basic amenities.

Pod hotels have been patterned after the Japanese capsule hotels which is the practical way of getting through the day in a different place with only a bed. The typical size of a capsule cabin is just 2 m (6 ft 7 in) by 1 m (3 ft 3 in) by 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in)* and if you're the claustrophobic kind then capsule accommodation is not the right one for you. You can try the pod hotel then.

Photo credit: thepodhotel.com

Pod hotels are bigger in terms of size and can accommodate a maximum of two depending on the pod hotel's design and size per pods. A typical double room pod will have a double bed size sleeping area, a flat tv, a tiny desk, hooks on the wall for clothing and jackets to be hung and a small bathroom. Gone are the mini-bar in the pod hotels because every space is maximized and the sole intention is to provide comfort with a low price. I think this is great for solo traveler, business folks and couples who do not mind sleeping in small rooms or even sharing a communal bathroom.

Breakfast at c.taste in Centro Yas Island Hotel in Abu Dhabi

We spent my husband's pre-birthday celebration in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi last 4-5 May. It was the right time to go there since my mom-in-law was still here at that time. We took advantage of the that weekend and drove to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

We stayed at Centro Yas Island Hotel which is a part of the Rotana chain of hotels. We took the continental buffet breakfast so we didn't have to worry about driving out of the island for a quick breakfast.

We paid 45 dhs. per head from the 60 dhs. We used our company's discount card in the hotel so had a good savings. The 45 dhs. was really worth it!

The breakfast buffet opened at 06:00 to 10:30 daily. We had a wide selection to choose from. There were cold cuts, fruits, cereals, yoghurts, coffee, hot chocolate, juices and the hot meals, danish pastries and other baked goods. You could also request for an omelette done according to your liking from the chef.

We were stuffed and the food was great! For the price we paid for, the meal was more than enough since it was a buffet and we could help ourselves with more servings.

If you are planning to visit Abu Dhabi, UAE and don't know where to stay, book yourself at Centro Yas Island and enjoy the great ambiance, food, affordable price and hospitality.

Review - Red Carpet Inn, Niagara Falls, New York

I haven't stayed in hostels nor motels in my life yet. I have read reviews and heard my friends' accounts on their stay in such accommodation. So, my expectations for such kind of accommodation is almost nil. However, I still have a set of criteria in mind about staying in inns/motels/hostels for that matter. Red Carpet Inn in Niagara Falls fell so short of what is decent for my taste and preference. It is an old accommodation that seriously need updating or better yet, over-hauling.

The price:
We booked 2 Queen Rooms in Red Carpet Inn in 6625 Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 via Booking.com at a very good deal of $49 each room for 2 nights without tax and non-refundable. The rate included breakfast and unlimited supply of coffee from the reception area. The breakfast consisted of cookies and coffee and that was about it. We stayed here from April 1 to 3, 2013.

The room given to us was #4 and #5. We were the only guests in the whole compound. Before arriving in Niagara, my husband requested for an extension of 2 more nights. We were told it was full but upon arriving there, we didn't see any other guests, just us. But I am thankful that the request was turned down, otherwise, we would have to bear the cold rooms for another 2 nights. That would have been a complete punishment for us.

The amenities/services:
Non-smoking rooms
Heating/Air Conditioning
Fax/Photocopying
Free WiFi in all areas
Free parking
Microwave
Mini-refrigerator
TV
Toiletries


Some of our photos:

What I don't like: 
Room #4 - This is where my husband and I stayed. The room is dark and cold. The heater broke down a day before we left so our room was very cold. We were given a portable heater which was so small that it could not heat the entire room. The 2 lights above our bed got busted. So for 1 night, we were left with one working lamp near the door. The carpet looked very dingy. There were stains on the wall and I don't even want to know what they are. We kept having static reception on the TV. The door locks didn't look stable nor safe nor secured. The lighting was insufficient. There were only 3 lamps in the whole room. All of them were dim. There was a slight gap on the door so the cold air could pass through. And if your room heater is busted, this is the last thing you ever want to have, a cold draft. The bathroom door does not lock. I had to wedge a bag so it does not open.

Room#5 - This is where my daughter and mom-in-law stayed. The door's lock is not very stable and is wobbly. If you push it real hard, the whole locking mechanism might just fall off! The double lock's wooden frame is busted so I had to instruct my mom-in-law and daughter to wedge a chair on the door knob and push the big table in front of the door before they sleep at night. They didn't have another chain lock too so it was easy to kick their door open which is a big no-no for security. The heater worked but it wasn't powerful enough to heat the entire room. The reception area is not open for 24 hours. I think they closed around 7-8 pm so when we needed hot coffee at that time, we could not buzz them anymore.


What I like: 
The location of the inn is along Niagara Falls Blvd. and very near the Fashion Outlet and other shops. It is right beside KFC so if you get hungry, you can just walk to KFC. It has ample parking.

The reception staff (an elderly Indian guy named Mr. Patel) is a very nice fellow. He is friendly and accommodating. Service was quick when I called for the busted heater and lights. We were given a portable heater in exchange but the heater was so small to heat the entire room.

The rooms are big enough for a small family with enough walking space so you don't hit your knees or legs on the corners of the bed or table.

The price is okay.

The bathroom is clean and well stocked. They cleaned our room daily and supplied our bathroom amenities, and changed the towels.

The big, spacious and doorless closet. We used it to store our luggages as well.

My recommendation: 
Much as I like the friendly and welcoming staff of the Red Carpet Inn, I don't think I can recommend this place because of the main reason of security, comfort and cleanliness. I can overlook other matters but not when it comes to our safety which is my primary concern. However, if the management decides to upgrade their dead-bolt locks, add chain locks in all rooms and fix the small door gaps on the floor, then I may recommend this. Also if you are not finicky and do not mind sleeping in cold rooms (when temperature drops to negative!) with a heater that barely heats the place, then you can go ahead and book here.

Review - America's Best Value Inn, Niagara Falls, NY

America's Best Value Inn (ABVI) in Niagara Falls in New York is a budget accommodation with 88 rooms for travelers. It caters to families, groups of travelers, couples and even single travelers. We booked our Double Room with double beds in ABVI in 6505 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Niagara Falls (New York), NY 14304 via Booking.com and got a good deal.  We stayed there from April 3 to 5, 2013.

The price: 
The room was pegged at $47.99/double bedroom per night without taxes. So our total bill for 2 nights was $95.98 (without taxes) with breakfast. I have no high expectations for the property since it is a budget accommodation. However, the place is quite lovely compared to the other property (Red Carpet Inn) where we stayed for the first 2 nights.

The amenities/services: 

• 24-hour front desk
• Garden area
• Ice cooler
• CCTV/security cams in all the premises including all the exit/entrance and staircases
• Non-smoking rooms
• Mini-refrigerator
• Microwave oven in the room
• Safety deposit box
• Pressing table and iron
• Toiletries
• Hair dryer
• Heating/Air conditioning
• Fitness centre
• Games room
• Outdoor pool (seasonal)
• Business center, fax/photocopying/use of computer
• Laundry
• Tour desk
• Breakfast area/pantry
• Vending machines for drinks and snacks
• WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge
• Ample/spacious and free parking
• Pets are allowed on request

Some of our photos: 

Very comfortable beds! I wish the comforters were a lot thicker because it was so cold in Niagara Falls.

The pregnant TV! The management must consider to catch up with the hi-tech times.

No cabinet, ergo, more space for our luggage and loots.

The safe box and percolator.

Breakfast area with bagels, donuts, cupcakes, sliced breads

The other side of the breakfast area where the coffee, cereals, milk, juices and other condiments were.

The tissue box without any tissue.

See that grayish area on the tub's floor? It needs serious scrubbing and steaming!

Amazingly clean faucet area and toilet bowl.

Another antiquated fixture in the room - the old box phone. 

What I like:
The location is perfect! It was next to Bob Evans Restaurant and behind it is Dunkin' Donuts. It is also just a few minutes drive to the Fashion Outlet Mall and other nearby shops and groceries like One Dollar Store, Walgreens, K-Mart, and more.


All children or adults stay free when using existing beds

They allow pets!

It is also approximately 3 miles from Niagara Falls and Seneca Niagara Casino and the Old Falls area and 4 miles from the Aquarium of Niagara Falls and Castellani Art Museum.

The room is very spacious with a big sliding door overlooking the outdoor pool and nearby roads. I find the lack of cabinet a plus factor because it made the room very spacious with enough area to place your luggage and loots from the malls. The overhead hanging rack with hangers made up for the lack of built-in cabinets.

The wifi is free in all the areas of the motel. However, our room was almost at the end of the hallway so I felt the reception was not as strong as it should but hey, I wasn't complaining because at least, we were connected all the time.

The beds are huge and comfortable.

The toilet is spacious.

The price is superb!

The front desk is manned 24/7. However, if there is no one in the front desk if you check in, you can always buzz them.

The elderly man in the front desk was gracious and quick to check us out at 3:30 a.m.! Unfortunately, I was rushing and had no time to get his name to personally commend him in this review.

There are vending machines for snacks and sodas if you feel hungry and too lazy to buy out.

The pantry/breakfast nook is roomy and can probably seat 20-40 at a time.

The motel has ample parking space and it is free.

It is incredibly quiet even if it was just right along the main thoroughfare. We didn't hear the outside traffic at all from our room.


What I don't like:
The "Asian" descent lady who never smiled no matter how courteous we were. She even reprimanded me when we came back around 10:30 a.m. for our check in. We initially came around 8 a.m. to ask if we can check in early just in case the room was available. She advised us to come back around 11 a.m. Come on, it was just half an hour from the time she mentioned and she told us it wasn't even 11 a.m. yet as she had instructed us. We just didn't mind her. She might have been having her "menopausal moment." Just kidding! Nevertheless, she gave us the key to our room around 11:05 a.m. So what was the fuss all about for being punctual?

The bathroom was clean but I feel the management could do better than that. You can see from the photos above that the tub needs some serious scrubbing and they need to fill that tissue box near the vanity as well with what else - TISSUE.

The room's lack of sufficient lighting. I am not comfortable with just night stand lamps and pin lights near the door. I hope the management will add more lighting fixtures in the future.

The carpet looked like it wasn't cleaned for some time. It didn't smell and neither it was clean.

The phone and TV were quite outdated. The last time I saw and used that kind of phone receiver was when I was still in elementary. I think they should catch up with the times and start installing state of the art phone and flat screen TVs.

The other vending machine did not have anything inside.


My recommendations:
I can overlook the little inconveniences we experienced if I will compare it to the overall plus factor of the motel.

It just needs a little updating that's all but I will definitely recommend this to everyone whether you are a fussy or practical traveler like us. The motel is also great for those with small kids and teens as they have gaming area and outdoor pool (seasonal).

My family and I will consider this accommodate again if ever we visit Niagara Falls, NY in the future.

(This is not a paid post for the above mentioned property. All opinions and photos are 100% mine and personal.)