citizenM Unveils Modern Pod Hotel Concept and Luxury Budget Lodging at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Schiphol, Amsterdam, September 16, 2007—Something exciting is happening in the world of hotels. A new type of traveler is walking through the door. These modern travelers – let’s call them “Mobile Citizens” – are so important to a new Dutch hotel group; it named its Amsterdam pod hotel after them. citizenM – short for citizen mobile – has reflected on and learnt from the needs and wishes of these individuals.

“citizenM offers a new type of hotel experience for sophisticated travelers. People who value personal choice, contemporary design, friendly technology and the proximity to a city – for an astonishing price,” says Michael Levie, CEO of the citizenM hotel group. The first citizenM hotel will open at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam with 230 rooms at the beginning of 2008.

citizenM has partnered with internationally renowned architects Concrete, and European design giants Vitra and Philips to offer “affordable luxury for the people.” Rooms are friendly and functional and feature: a super king-size bed fitted with luxurious linen and pillows, a wall-to-wall window for plenty of natural light, a flat LCD television, Philips technology and ambient lighting, a rain shower and other luxurious amenities especially developed by a famous ‘nose’ (also responsible for creations of Commes des Garçons and Viktor & Rolf).

Honesty and transparency play an important role in citizenM’s philosophy. Hidden costs are eliminated. Internet access and movies on-demand are free of charge. At this affordable luxury hotel, a night’s stay starts at € 69, with bookings starting on October 31st 2007. The result is a unique, quality hotel experience for an affordable price, tailored to meet the expectations of today’s modern traveller. Inspired by accommodations on luxury yachts and private jets, citizenM built its own factory in order to realise its high quality hotel rooms. In its vision, no detail was left ignored: each room is 14 square metres – each of which has been carefully thought through to offer the height of functional design.

The stylish lobby is furnished with the latest collection of iconic Vitra furniture pieces. Rooms can be customized while making a web-reservation, at the self check-in kiosks, or on the touch screen mood pad in the room. Personal settings include preferred lighting, music, mood and temperature. By the time the machine has programmed the personal key card, the room has been adjusted to your liking. The key card stays active and remembers personal profiles for the next stay. canteenM offers a 24-hour choice of signature sandwiches, salads, sushi, warm dishes and more. There are also limited-edition beverages and coffee prepared by a team of in-house baristas.
In the evening, the bar offers fine spirits, cocktails, and champagne.

The founders and executives of citizenM are innovative visionaries, who have taken their well-rounded experience into realising citizenM hotels. They are: Rattan Chadha (founder and former CEO of Mexx, director and partner of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts), Jan Wulf van Alkemade (hotel specialist), Tom Bas (former member of the board of directors of NH Hotels and Golden Tulip) and Michael Levie (former Executive and VP of Operations of various international hotel chains: Sonesta and NH Hotels).

The second citizenM hotel will open in the fourth quarter of 2008 near Amsterdam city centre. The company plans to open 20 hotels throughout Europe in its first phase of roll-out. Included are major cities such as: London, Glasgow, Barcelona, Berlin, Milan, Brussels and Copenhagen.

citizenM hotels aims to provide a new type of budget hotel experience for a new type of traveler. The group’s founding philosophy is held central: to offer “affordable luxury for the people.”

Continuous innovation is a critical component of citizenM. The efficient building system combined with a dedicated offsite factory allows the company to consistently maintain high quality standards. Headquartered in Amsterdam, citizenM’s founders include professionals from both the hospitality and fashion industry. Together with an experienced management team, citizenM is preparing itself for a rapid European expansion.

citizenM hotels are opening 2 properties in 2008, with plans to open 20 properties throughout Europe in its first phase of roll-out. For more information, visit www.citizenm.com.