THIS year the easy empire launched its first budget flights from London to Cyprus, shortly followed by the first Cypriot Easyhotel in May.
The 56 room hotel is a five minute stroll from Larnaca’s Phoinikoudes beach and 15 minutes drive from the airport. With a 4am flight the next day, it seemed the perfect starting point for long weekend.
I arrived at around 10.30pm in Larnaca, and found the hotel on the first pass thanks to its distinctive orange branding. Parking with little trouble just 100m metres from the hotel, I dropped off the suitcase and wandered down to the sea front. With what has been a quiet tourism season already drawing to a close, the scene was all but deserted. Only one inebriated English couple entwined on a bench gave away any clues about the town’s tourist industry. The three giant TV screens showing Champions League matches outnumbered their viewers.
I returned to the hotel and spoke to the receptionist (the only employee I saw) about the concept behind the hotel. “It is based on the Easyjet model, so the rooms are not expensive.” As per Easyjet, however, it is the extras where they make much of their profit. A basic room costs €25 (€35 for a double) after that customers have to pay more for extras, such as a TV remote (€7.50 per night) or a cot (€10 per night). “Some customers are a bit surprised about these costs, and expect the extras to be included in their price.” But the system is a hit with many guests who like the no-frills, low clutter arrangement.
It is easy to see why. In comparison to similarly priced hotels, it stands out as brightly as their orange decor. The Easy designers have paired the concept of the hotel down to the bare essentials then painted it lurid orange. There are no food or drinks on offer, save for a vending machine. There are no soft furnishings, equally nothing to stay around for. I imagine most guests are either there to sleep, or use it as a base for seeing the town. Only the most functional items are offered; pay as you go internet, a coffee table and chairs and a wall-mounted TV.
Speaking of furnishings, the place is unsurprisingly, heavily Easy branded. The management are certainly proud of their image, and there is no shortage of shiny orange plastic to remind you where you are. A large orange pillar dominates the foyer, the doors are Easy orange and emblazoned with the web address, orange vending machines sit on the walls – even the minimalist pictures on the bedroom walls carry the Easy motif.
For a moment I was concerned I might wake, like in James and the Giant Peach, surrounded by tangerine panels.
However my room was mercifully white. I liked it. It was spotlessly clean, air conditioned and muted. One guest described it as clinical; I would go with minimalist. The furnishings were pastel blue, but, and I sense Mr Hadji-Ioannis couldn’t resist himself here, are injection moulded fibreglass one piece units. Each room contains the quirky wall mounted units, which incorporate an armchair (pretty useless as I kept sliding off) a desk, mirror, light and storage drawer. The impression is part retro-sixties styling and part Jetsons.
The en-suite bathroom was hilarious. But, to its credit, it was like much of the hotel; immaculately clean, functional and, once again dazzlingly orange. Imagine a slightly larger than average aeroplane toilet-cum-solarium, add a shower and line it with gaudy plastic. It does a great job of startling awake you before a 4am flight though.
Overall, I was impressed with the cleanliness, simplicity and functionality of the place. It is comfortable but basic, and this is reflected in the cost. Just remember to take your sunglasses.
For more info, or to book, go to http://www.easyhotel.com
