Always wanted to sleep in a church? It is now possible in the Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht, where two monumental churches have been converted into temporary homes for travellers, locals and artists alike.
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Hospitality is Sacred 1 December 2021
2 Churches, 200 Rooms, 200.000 Stories
Located in the historic center of Utrecht and in the up-and-coming area of Amsterdam Noord (still unknown to the crowds of tourists), Bunk is where those who wander will start to Wonder, triggered by outstanding art, social events, honest food and fun little oddities in every corner.
To get a hint on how wonderfully weird Bunk is, watch Another Hotel Promo Video.
A Disruptive Hospitality Concept
Bunk bridges the gap between hotels and hostels by combining affordable luxury rooms and smartly designed private pods. A hotel with hostel prices (starting at € 24 a night), or a hostel with the luxury of a design hotel? An eclectic co-working space or an art residency? Bunk is riding high on the new trend of “hybrid hospitality” and doesn’t give a damn about labels – in fact, it goes out of its way to avoid them. This is not surprising when you consider that the inspiration for Bunk came while its founder Robin Hagedoorn was at Burning Man, the festival held every year in the Nevada desert, when an ephemeral city comes to life under the banner of creativity, community spirit and inclusivity. An experience that Hagedoorn decided to encapsulate in what he calls a “disruptive hospitality concept” – and a winning one, considering that Bunk Utrecht won the prestigious Hoscar by Hostelworld for Extraordinary Innovation after just one year since its opening.
Embracing History With Cutting Edge Design
While the rooms differ in size, privacy and budget, every interior design element embraces the original architecture of the old churches, reusing the original materials where possible. In Utrecht, for example, the wooden benches were used to create the panels for the block that houses the bar, kitchen and rooms. The Amsterdam project – designed by architect Rob Salemans (Raumkultur) with a team of Dutch creatives – has preserved the brick arches and wooden truss ceilings, using modular cubes for the rooms that seem to float in the air. In both cases, the visual impact is one that calls for a loud “wow”. Try to believe.
The Bunk Treatment
Whether you book the biggest room or just a single pod, you’ll always get the full Bunk treatment, including first-quality mattresses and bed linen, LED ambient lighting system, safe, air conditioning, bathrooms with high-pressure showers, anti-fog mirrors, fair trade cotton towels and toiletries. Technology and human touch go hand in hand at Bunk: smart check-in and check-out, super-fast internet, USB outlets and a host of other ultra-smart details are everywhere, as are the international staff, always on hand to assist guests and share the best local tips.
Communal Wonderment: Art and Creativity for Everyone
Bunk hosts a busy schedule of free events each month, open to guests and locals alike. In addition, Bunk Amsterdam is also home to a recording and broadcasting studio which podcasters, poets, musicians and other professionals can use totally for free. Creatives may even stay for free at Bunk by applying to the artist-in-residence program. The goal: to redefine hospitality by creating spaces for communal wonderment. Among the artists who are making their mark at Bunk, one for all is Jan is de Man, one of the best-known street art artists in the Netherlands, who recently completed an impressive 3-D installation in the main atrium of Bunk Amsterdam.
