CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND—JUCY Group Limited, an Auckland, New Zealand-based tourism brand specializing in budget-friendly hotels, rental vehicles and campervans, has devised a new concept for short-stay accommodations to ease the recent guestroom shortage here.
JUCY Snooze, a new multimillion dollar venture of modular, pod-like guestrooms, will add an additional 282 beds and introduce “micro-accommodation” to the New Zealand market. Located within walking distance of the Christchurch International Airport, JUCY Snooze is expected to open in early 2016.
Made from a pre-fabricated, modular construction system, JUCY Snooze allows the company to manufacture the pods at its Auckland factory and then ship the pods to the site. JUCY Snooze will be located in close proximity to the new Spitfire retail shopping area, which is currently under development.
“The modular design will save money and time,” said Tim Alpe, CEO and director of JUCY, who co-founded the company with his brother, Dan. “We are offering customers a cost-effective option to stay near the airport. A guest can stay overnight at an individual unit with a single bed and we also have family rooms.”
The lack of low-cost accommodation in the immediate area has put pressure on the airport infrastructure and reduced tourist numbers to the city, according to Alpe. Through JUCY Snooze, travelers will be able to stay for short periods between international flights or overnight. Alpe expects guests to stay for a period of one to two nights.
Following extensive research into this modular, hostel-like accommodation, JUCY Group Limited discovered that the pod-like stays are available overseas but nowhere in New Zealand. “Globally, pod hotels have become increasingly popular and we wanted to bring the concept to this market,” said Alpe. “We have designed the room layouts to suit low cost travellers, families, and even retired couples.”
Having seen an opportunity for a low-cost, short-stay venue in Christchurch, JUCY Group Limited added its in-house Kiwi design elements to the accommodations such as USB chargers and LED-reading lights situated near the nightstand. “JUCY Snooze will emphasize social sharing of communal spaces,” said Alpe. “The rooms won’t have TVs. Instead, visitors will be encouraged to come together in general-use lounges. We will provide hot desks for casual web browsing, and give visitors a reason to come out of their rooms to socialize.”
JUCY Snooze will offer guests the option to pay for short stays as opposed to overnight stays, giving travelers the opportunity to sleep for a few hours in between connecting flights. The company is attempting to primarily target young business travelers or backpack travelers. Give customer cost effective options to stay at the airport.
The February 2011 Christchurch earthquake severely damaged New Zealand’s second-largest city, killing 185 people. The magnitude 6.3-earthquake also damaged lodging options and negatively influenced travel stays. JUCY Snooze believes the new modular pods offer a much-needed affordable option. “People are avoiding Christchurch because the accommodations are limited or too expensive,” said Alpe. “It’s all about finding a place for a quick snooze.”
—Matthew Marin