A hotel in the Auckland CBD is shaking up the accommodation sector – with a twist.
In an Australasian first, the Lylo combines the cheap stays and communal feel of your average backpackers with the innovative design of sleeping pods and quirky areas to hang out.
“I think what we’ve done, though, is created something which is a lot more globally appealing,” Lylo managing director Tim Alpe told Seven Sharp.
“Yes, we have the shared accommodation piece, but we also have private en suite accommodation that people can use as well.”
The food on offer is also quick and friendly on the wallet.
“Every meal, if it can’t be made in five minutes, it can’t be on the menu. If it can’t be done under a $20 sort of retail price, it can’t be on the menu,” Alpe said.
Prices start at $55 per night.
Introducing LyLo – a new game-changing lifestyle budget accommodation experience.
Say hi to LyLo – a ground-breaking new lifestyle budget accommodation experience opening in Auckland CBD on 1 December. Focused on helping savvy, cost-conscious travellers experience a new way to stay, LyLo is style-led with a social and value mind-set. Located at 54 Cook Street, Auckland will be the first property to launch for the brand.
The LyLo concept has been informed by target audience research which clearly highlighted the gaps in the sector. The concept has been brought to life in collaboration with CPRW Architecture creating a complete social travel experience with multi-purpose spaces to play, eat, work and sleep. It caters to all styles of travel, featuring a mix of 190 private sleeping pods, 37 private double rooms with design led shared amenities, 70 private ensuite rooms.
To create community the property also features a large fully decked-out shared kitchen, an abundance of breakout spaces to lounge with friends, find a quiet nook to read or plug-in to work, plus Miss Lucy’s provides the perfect setting to play with locals and fellow travellers while enjoying your favourite drink.
Managing Director of LyLo, Tim Alpe said, “Our flagship LyLo property has been designed for travellers to stay in an epic and affordable way by giving them all the perks of communal and social travel but with the privacy of their own comfortable sleeping space.
“We’ve torn up the rulebook and turned budget accommodation on its head. LyLo Auckland is meticulously designed based on real insights into what a traveller needs with stylish finishes. We are excited to open what will be a super affordable place to sleep for savvy travellers. We can’t wait to welcome travellers to what will be the largest lifestyle budget accommodation of its kind in New Zealand and will reset the benchmark for this sector globally.”
LyLo Auckland will be the flagship property followed by the Jucy Snooze experiences in Christchurch and Queenstown transitioning to LyLo properties in 2023.
EVT CEO, Jane Hastings, said “LyLo is part of EVT’s growing travel portfolio, which covers luxury to budget accommodation experiences. Tim has spearheaded this concept, together with the best expertise from across our Entertainment and Travel businesses, to set a new benchmark for lifestyle budget accommodation experiences. We are excited to bring this first of its kind offering to the Auckland market and look forward to opening more LyLo properties in the future.”
Designed for comfort, each private pod is spacious and self-contained featuring:
- King single beds
- Bluetooth storage locker
- Multiple power and USB charging ports
- Fast Wi-Fi
- Individual lighting, fan, mirror
- Acoustic privacy screens
Pods can be booked individually from as low as $55 per night. For travellers seeking a little extra privacy the private and ensuite rooms (from $109 and $159 per night respectively) are ideal for families and couples. Female only pod rooms are also available.
The private and ensuite rooms are fitted with beds by Comfi – a Kiwi social enterprise that works with grassroots charity Woven Earth to donate beds to kids who need them. Auckland design firm Mood designed the beds and mirrors for the rooms, while Made of Tomorrow supplied bedside tables.
LyLo thinks about tomorrow, today. Environmentally thoughtful design elements include:
- The use of recycled building materials
- Zero small plastics and paperless
- Recycled America’s Cup sails (which otherwise would have gone to landfill) transformed into bathroom amenity holders
- EV charging stations
- Recycling
- Water and power conservation initiatives
Locals and travellers can be social without robbing the bank – think $10 cocktails and delicious eats all under $20.
Overlooking expansive views of bustling Nelson Street and over the city to the harbour bridge, Miss Lucy’s features a giant shuffleboard perfect for group fun, free Wi-Fi, and an elevated DJ podium – ready to transition from day to night.
