Just read in NYTimes that there's a new budget/design-conscious hotel in the city. The former Pickwick Arms (E. 51st St) is now the Pod Hotel. Tiny, well-designed rooms; some w/baths. If your room has no bath, there is a light above your door (on the inside!) that turns on when one of the bathrooms down the hall is available. HA! (like in a plane) Singles start at $89, & I assume that's bath-less.

So . . . anyone try this place yet?

This is really an interesting concept !!!
Hope some one has info.

Have just looked at the website and this seems like a variation of the pod (coffin) hotels they had in Japan for a while. In those you didn;t get a room - but a pod that you crawled into - sort of like the upper and lower berths on a train.

The Pickwick Arms seems to have a whole variety. Some are indeed bunk bed pods, but they also have single bed and double bed pods. (Average size is that of a small rental storage unit.) In addition to the bed you get a work top (and presumably a chair - although the pix didn't show one). Some have baths - but many just have a light indicating when one of the shared baths is free. It doesn;t appear that the pod has any floor space beyond that immediately next to the bed - nor is it clear if they all have wondows.

But - for those who say all they want is a clean place to sleep - certainly worth investigating.

Singles start at $89? Meanwhile, people are reporting on biddingfortravel.com that they are winning 4-star hotels for $100-115 on Priceline, which of course always provides accomodations for two with a private bath.

This is nostalgic for me. We stayed at the Pickwick years ago, and it was indeed spartan -- but what a great location & a great deal. I'd love to see how they updated it. It was pretttty funky, even in the 80s!

Yes - Priceline is sellng 4* hotels in Jan for $115 - but later in the year it will be $250 - or sold out of Priceline. Then the $89 Pod might be worth considering - but obviously not for families - or someone who wants to spend any time in the room.

Just stayed at Columbus Motor Inn near the Wharf, paid $72 a night (I guess the week between Christmas and New Year's must be 'low season' or something), and the rate included parking. Best budget place we've ever stayed at, location was excellent as well, we parked and never used the car. Wouldn't stay in a "pod" if Columbus is available at near the same rate, or as in my case, even LOWER.

Well I'm booked there this week. Rate was $89.00 with PRIVATE bath. ($69.00 for shared bath.) The best I cdould do for a larger Quality in was $135. (Remember you have 14% tax plus $3.50/night tax. So my total is $109. Because of a convention in the Times Square Rockefeller Center area the cheapest on Hotwire was $135. unless I wanted to stay 25 blocks away in Murray Hill - which I didn't. I actually went to Bidding for travel trying to find a 2- 2 1/2 star for $100. plus tax./ THEY sent me to the Pod. Reviews on TRip Adviser weren't bad.

For comparison, the more worn and less convenient Herald Square hotel charges $79. for a PB.
Well I need it for 8 hours sleep. I'm 6' 4". So we'll see how it goes.

joesorce -

Are you talking about San Francisco? Am not aware of any Columbus Motor Inn - or Wharf - in New York - where the Pickwick/POD is located.