Bunk Hotel Amsterdam
Conveniently located near Amsterdam's renowned Centraal station, a hub of various public transportation options including high-speed trains, metro, tram, bus, and even boats, The Bunk is just a quick ferry ride to Noord and a short walk away.
At first glance, the hotel's brick-laden sacral building might give you pause, with thoughts of entering with all your luggage and potentially inappropriate clothes. The St. Rita Church, built in 1922 based on the design blueprints by AJ Kropholler, has undergone a radical transformation over the past century, now standing as The Bunk, a unique boutique hotel.
Despite being bombed during the raid on Northern Amsterdam in 1943, the St. Rita Church stood strong. A few years later, the war damages were meticulously repaired, with architect Kees van Moorsel suggesting some enlargements to its tower and hall. This resilience and adaptability are part of the building's unique charm.
In 1973, the western part of the church was converted into a public library. This is the only former function of the building that was kept intact after the sacral place was transformed into The BUNK, a haven for backpackers and travelers seeking an affordable boutique hotel experience.
Here, the focus is not on the size of the rooms but on the communal spaces that foster a sense of community and shared experiences.
Bunk properties are currently available in Utrecht and Amsterdam, but the company is actively seeking unique buildings to convert into hotels.
Bunk Hotel is best described as quirky, unique, and eccentric. It pays homage to the building's rich history and is filled with creative details that you can spend hours exploring.
Did you spot the cute plush teddy bear in the photo? No, not the one in the T-Rex's gaping mouth, the other one! Once you find the teddy chilling in the fridge, you start understanding the concept behind Bunk.
With tulips hanging from the ceiling, Bunk's multi-use communal space is where you will find its all-day restaurant and bar.
The restaurant's designer lamps, green velvet dining sofas, and floral decor are complemented by the church's original brick walls and hardwood flooring.
Digital nomads can find a perfect corner to work by one of the iconic features of the church, a monumental arch.
The library was fully renovated, and it's one of Bunk's magical corners where surrounded by historic walls and a pretty nice collection of books, you can read in silence.
The library's secret door leads to the studio for a creative outlet.
Hostel or Hotel?
The Bunk provides 106 rooms and 52 pods for single or double occupancy. The pods offer more bang for one's buck than traditional hostels, with blackout curtains and a real sense of privacy (unlike bunk beds).
The atrium features white boxes that house private rooms, many with indoor views. If anyone wondered where Nessy, the Loch Ness Monster, spends her vacations, then take a good look at the atrium from above.
The five accommodation options range from the most affordable pods to the Most Epic Room, which comes with a bedside freestanding bathtub and a private terrace.
Influenced by the Japanese capsule hotels, the pods offer maximum privacy compared to old-school bunk bed hostels. The pods in the shared room stand under the original brick arches of the church.
With some cool features of the private rooms, like the personalized light controls trickling down to the cheaper pods, things can get colorful. The control panel enables you to select any color of light inside your pod.
Each pod is equipped with a locker, a hotel-grade mattress, and a thick curtain to block out light and prying eyes.
Double Pods
You don't have to be a solo traveler to save money for the nights out in Amsterdam. Bunk's double capsules are for couples or close friends who don't mind sharing a small space.
If you book a pod, you will have access to gender-neutral showers. First come, first served, no matter your sex!
Whichever accommodation you book, you will get fair-trade cotton towels and organic soaps. The scent of the shampoo and shower gel is so enticing that you may be tempted to take multiple showers.
The Most Epic Room
Travelers with deeper pockets than the backpackers stuck in one of the pods can opt for the top-of-the-range Epic Room.
The Most Epic Room has the advantages of both a boutique hotel and a hostel. You can enjoy a freestanding bathtub to relax in hot water located right beside your bed and a private terrace to enjoy your morning coffee.
If you enjoy spending time alone but also like to occasionally chat with strangers in the communal areas, this room is for you!
