*Update: Since this article was originally published, The Hollander has since been renamed to The Robey.
PSA: This is not your typical hostel! Located in Chicago’s Wicker Park, this boutique hostel emphasizes great design and the sharing economy. What does that mean, exactly? Well, The Hollander is a gorgeous overnight accommodation spot where you can share rooms with friends or strangers depending on the setup. You’ll probably share a bathroom too. And you can count on those spaces being pretty darn good looking and lovely to share with the folks around you.
Photography: The Hollander
The Setup
An early 1900s warehouse that was built for furniture storage, the historic Hollander Fireproof Warehouse now has a lofty feel and minimalist aesthetic as a Grupo Habita boutique hotel property (the hoteliers also own the nearby Robey Hotel). With 20 private and shared rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms, the setups range from a couple of queen beds to a handful of twins or bunk beds. Naturally, there’s wifi and a cool coffee shop by Chicago’s own Metric Coffee Co. downstairs, and a bike rental shop by Banker Supply Co. too.
The Design
Expect a modern, youthful and approachable design scheme with lots of Instagram worthy photo ops throughout The Hollander. French design studios Cigue and Delordinaire were behind the warm interiors that offer a lot of social interaction opportunities for guests. With lots of bright light and layered textures, you can be sure the photos of this spot will be gorgeous.
The Neighborhood
Located on the edge of Bucktown and Wicker Park, The Hollander sits in one of the most bustling creative areas of Chicago. Both neighborhoods are filled with trendy boutiques, top notch eateries, art galleries, and the like. The 606 is just around the corner, an elevated train track turned greenway that’s definitely worth popping by. For those who love Chicago’s amazing downtown, harbor and museums, the L train is real easy to hop on too.
The Social Scene
Keeping in mind that The Hollander is all about the sharing economy, you’re sure to find a lot of interaction with your neighbors while staying at this spot. In fact, if you’re sharing a room, The Hollander will hook you up with the other roomies in advance via social media. Since we’re all about getting out and meeting new people, bringing along old friends and exploring new cities as a posse, we can totally see why this concept is picking up speed. Shared experiences are the best experiences in our book.
BOOK ROOMS FOR AS LOW AS $40/NIGHT!
Credits
Venue + Photography: The Hollander
