Micro hotels are the latest offering in the “small house, big living” world and they are a minimalist’s dream. I recently stayed in Hotel Hive, DC’s first micro hotel, with my sister, Chelsea, and best friend, Dorothy, and we loved the charm of this spot.
There’s been a lot of change in the hotel world over the past few years with Airbnb and Glamping Hub popping up and major resorts and hotel chains competing to keep millennials booking with them. Enter: the micro hotel. Micro hotels are a growing trend in urban cities like New York and DC just got it’s first one with Hotel Hive. These hotels downsize their rooms and upsize their amenities. Many millennials now are looking for adventure around them and a simple bed to sleep in. They’re spending more time outside of the hotel room, traveling and experiencing a new place, and are more interested in a minimalist and affordable stay than a luxury suite. In true millennial form though, they still want it to be stylish (what’s the point in having our cake if we can’t eat it too, right?). The micro hotels offer efficient and compact design without compromising the sleek and stylish set-up.
When I say “downsize”, I mean it. Micro hotels, including Hotel Hive, offer rooms between 125–250 square feet and are designed for a 1 to 2 person occupancy. The Hive does offer adjoining rooms and bunk rooms to keep families and group together and your pet can stay for free! We stayed in one of the Queen Loft rooms. The lofts are either Bunk, Queen or King and they’re on the top floor of the hotel with features like high ceilings, rustic beams and exposed brick. Our room was surrounded by windows and the morning light was incredible. The Loft King rooms are around 200 square feet, the Loft Queen is about 150 square feet and the Loft Bunk is about 125 square feet.
There’s also a standard room that each have their own unique twist in either a Twin, Bunk, Queen, or King bed. The Hive King is approximately 200 square feet, the Queen is around 150, and the Bunk and Twin rooms are each 125. So there are a multitude of different options and always that adjoining option too if you’re traveling with more than 2 travel mates.
The rooms are much more affordable than standard hotel rooms and you won’t have to sacrifice the amenities especially at Hotel Hive.
- Smart TV
- Free WiFi
- USB Charging Ports
- Independently Controlled Heating and Cooling
- Under Bed Luggage Storage – there’s no closet so don’t go nuts with packing. Remember, you’re trading space for affordability, a great location, and other hotel amenities. Well worth the trade.
- Tivoli Bluetooth Music
- Private Bathroom
- Smoke Free Property
Hive Hotel itself is home to one of my favorite pizza spots in the city: &pizza.
&pizza is a different kind of pizza shop – one where experience is the focal point, and every shop reflects the culture and people of its neighborhood. Named “Best Pizza” and best “Fast Casual” in D.C, guests can craft their own pies with unlimited ingredients or select from 11 chef-inspired hits boasting unique and bold flavor combinations for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night.
Hive Bar x &bar offers guests a highly-curated taste of The District from the morning coffee to late night cocktails. Featuring six uniquely craft cocktails developed in collaboration with local distillers, the bar boasts a collective of emerging local spirits brands like Civic vodka, Cotton & Reed rum and Jos. A. Magnus whiskey. Guests can also craft their own cocktails via an extensive list of ingredients, enjoy a rotating selection of local beers and house wines on tap.
Yes, it’s what’s inside that counts. But a little bit what’s outside counts too… let’s be honest. So you are close enough to walk to the hustle and bustle of DC and the tourist attractions, but far enough away that you can actually find decent parking. In a 5 minute walk you can get to the Lincoln Memorial and Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro (which will then take you just about anywhere) and in a 10 minute walk you can get to The White House, The Kennedy Center and Georgetown.
This was such a fun and unique stay. I will definitely look into micro-hotels for my future stays as long as they have great amenities and are in a prime location like Hotel Hive!
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