Amsterdam, Citizen M
The high-tech, sleekly designed Citizen M hotel at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport was an easy place to meet Joanne, who was arriving from Utrecht. It also was cheap, considering the location.
Here are the notes I took while there:
- computers + starbucks people
- oppressively designed - too precise
- control lights only by theme - no individual control except bed lights
- main power switch by door
- big Taschen books - muhammed ali, etc
- needs printed manual for room
- phone = skype rates
The young staff were unfailingly cheerful and eager to help, an important antidote to the sometimes intimidating technology. They also gave much needed human warmth to a place almost overwhelmingly too bright and shiny. The rooms—apparently all identical—look like an upscale IKEA showcase. In the picture you see the deliberately imperfect stuffed animal mascot placed there to soften the white/glass/chrome landscape.
You also see the "moodpad" that controls many of the room's features: lights, window shades, tv, a/c, etc. The lighting was the most frustrating aspect—aside from two small reading lamps by the bed and a light over the mirror you couldn't control individual fixtures. Your only option was to pick an activity icon (Reading, Sleeping, etc.) on the pad. This automatically brightened/dimmed lights to preset levels. What if the light near the window seems too bright? Tough. Try choosing another activity. If you're desperate, use "Sleep" to turn off all the lights.
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