Hi All. We are looking into the option of transforming an office building which has a good location to a hostel. One of the main issues is of course the number of rooms which can be offered there.
The building is shaped as a square and each floor is currently an "open space".
Of course, rooms can be created in the outer part of the floor with windows. The question is what to do with all the "wasted" parts in the middle of the floor.
- What are your thoughts on windowless rooms? Do you offer them? What are the guests comments to them?
- Do you have any ideas of unique features to somehow create sleeping rooms there?
I know we can put some common areas in the middle of each floor(like internet stations) but since it's a big building (5 floors) it's a major loss of money not to have more rooms there.
Thanks in advance
11 years
I am on the east coast in the US, and it's not illegal. The question comes down to how the local jurisdiction defines a dwelling unit. In a hotel, a dwelling unit is the guest room. However, in a hostel, the dwelling unit could be the entire floor because of where the bathroom and common area are. Most of the fire code is based on the dwelling unit and not the guest room itself.
11 years
well, I hope You know better.
In Massachusetts I believe they would be illegal (even for transient dwellers , under 30 days etc).
It does not matter how people sleep , everybody have to have at least 60 square feet of own "sleeping area".
So one room with 10 beds must be at least 600 , or You have to have 5 two beds rooms with 120 square feet each.
And 8% for windows ( it also specifies the rate of AIR FLOW - volume per hour).
PS - sorry about Your complications with ass O landlord .
Good luck with new location.
11 years
My hostel has some windows-less rooms (legal in my country) and we got quite a lot of mild complaints on it. The rating on hostelworld is 90%+ and it doesn't seem to affect our rating too much, but we're looking for a way to improve it.
I think fake windows may not be so useful because it looks terribly fake.
We're on the way to put a fan in the room, making better ventilation. Besides, I'm thinking if I should break certain upper part of the wall facing the hallway and replace it with glass but not sure it works out.
In some low-budget hotels, windowsless room has a window facing the hallway but there's a lot of noises from it. It's difficult anyway.
11 years
The problem in the US is that the definitions in the building code at the state level do not match the zoning code at the city or county level. So it ends up being how the official interprets the rules and how you can show that you are meeting the intent of the rules.
PS -- And thanks. That landlord ... At least some good came of it with some other opportunities. We should hopefully have a new hostel in the District in 2015.
11 years
From Zomac:
We're on the way to put a fan in the room, making better ventilation. Besides, I'm thinking if I should break certain upper part of the wall facing the hallway and replace it with glass but not sure it works out.
In some low-budget hotels, windowsless room has a window facing the hallway but there's a lot of noises from it. It's difficult anyway.
Unwanted light from the hallway may also cause problems when the guests want a dark room. I assume that those lights will be left on or come on with a motion detector at night. If you cover this glass with blackout curtains that the guests can open and close, then it could reduce the inconvenience and give guests the feeling that they have more control.
From CAPhouse:
We should hopefully have a new hostel in the District in 2015.
Paul, you are an incredibly patient man. :)
11 years
CAPhouse
.We should hopefully have a new hostel in the District in 2015.
never give up :):)
10 years
A room without windows could really strangle its occupants. From an architectural point of view I would like to suggest you to go for skylights. They definitely help to bring natural light to the room and take away the suffocation feeling. In addition, the idea of hallway ventilation is not bad; they will let in fresh air.
Since it is a large building, you could make open hallways with large balconies and big windows. This help to keep the floor airy. I know it could get risky on the higher levels, but you could use impact windows. They are impact resistant and energy efficient. My aunt used some in her home and tells me impact windows Pompano Beach helps from burglaries and provides insulation too.
10 years
Very nice Twin room indeed.
Do you have shared Bathroom Facilities with this room?
Download
10 years
Thanks Download,
This (like all our new rooms) are ensuite - total area for these twins around 10m2.
Ville
10 years
We just opened our "hotel" expansion and came up with some windowless rooms. We have noticed in these few months that it is not aobut the windows but about marketing. Most of the people really love the rooms and when they know before they come that there's no windows, it just fine. We are very happy with the outcome.
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