Pods by The Usual Rotterdam

Pods by The Usual Rotterdam Overview

You know what caught me off guard about Pods by The Usual Rotterdam? I walked past it twice on Westblaak before realizing this sleek, almost spaceship-like building was actually my hotel. It’s honestly one of those places that makes you do a double-take – this unique boutique hotel sits right in the heart of Rotterdam’s city center, but it feels like it beamed down from the future.

The whole concept is pretty brilliant, actually. These aren’t your typical cramped European hotel rooms – they’ve designed these pod-style spaces that somehow feel both cozy and surprisingly spacious. I mean, everything has a purpose here. The bed unfolds from the wall (sounds weird, I know, but it’s actually really comfortable), and there’s this clever little workspace that tucks away when you don’t need it. The bathroom situation might take some getting used to – it’s compact but thoughtfully laid out, sort of like being in a really well-designed yacht cabin. What really got me was the attention to detail in the lighting and ventilation. You’d think being in a “pod” might feel claustrophobic, but they’ve nailed the ambiance.

Location-wise, you’re literally steps from Blaak Station, which honestly makes getting around Rotterdam ridiculously easy. The Markthal is just a quick walk away – and trust me, you’ll want to check that out for breakfast instead of paying hotel prices. I spent quite a bit of time just wandering the Centrum area, and having Westblaak as your base means you’re right in the mix without the tourist chaos you get closer to the Erasmus Bridge. The street itself can get a bit busy during rush hour, but the sound insulation is surprisingly good. One thing I appreciated – the self-check-in process actually works smoothly (I’ve had disasters with automated systems before), and the staff, when you do need them, really knows their stuff about the neighborhood. They pointed me toward some great local spots I never would have found otherwise. It’s definitely not a traditional hotel experience, but that’s exactly the point. If you’re the type who wants room service and a concierge in uniform, this probably isn’t your vibe. But if you appreciate smart design, want to feel like you’re staying somewhere genuinely different, and don’t mind trading some conventional luxury for innovation, Pods by The Usual is pretty remarkable.

Pods by The Usual Rotterdam Accommodations

Reviews of Pods by The Usual Rotterdam

• Very Good – Junya from Japan – September 22, 2025 (8/10)

  good location
  
  What could be improved: the pods are very small:)

• Lovely – Jan from Belgium – September 4, 2025 (8/10)

  Fulfilled its expectations perfectly, would recommend!

• Wonderful – Andromachi from Greece – July 27, 2025 (9/10)

  The stuff, the location and the breakfast 🙂
  
  What could be improved: We booked the twin pods room. It was too small and not comfortable at all.

• Wonderful – Maria from Netherlands – June 27, 2025 (9/10)

  Great bar/restaurant
  Great study areas

• Very happy with our stay at the usual – Eirini from France – June 8, 2025 (9/10)

  Location was great to explore Rotterdam, walking distance to the train station, port etc
  Clean
  Good breakfast
  Cosy bar at the groundfloor-great place to hang, eat, relax
  Sevice was good
  Overall we would 100% recommend it

• Handy location ,super clean modern and friendly .Very dark pods – Fatou-bané from Belgium – May 1, 2025 (7/10)

  Perfect location !
  Reception and bar are great areas
  Smooth check in and check out ,very friendly staff
  Clean bath and toilets
  
  What could be improved: Although modern and Clean The pod is super dark and small . If you are claustrophobic this is not for you.I felt like in a prison cell ,a shame it’s not brighter and more colourful
  Perfect for sleeping

• Recommended stay in Rotterdam – Joe from United Kingdom – April 28, 2025 (9/10)

  The property is splendid with a wide range of wonderful features. The reception and bar area is a great place to relax and enjoy. The staff were amazing and there was a lot of staff available at all times. I stayed in the pods and it is one of the nicest hostels I have ever been to! The shared facilities were like that of a hotel and were immaculately clean. I’d highly recommend it to anyone.
  
  What could be improved: I stayed in the twin pod which was on the smaller side but this was reflected in the price. Next time I’d probably book two single pods but overall this is a minor thing compared to all the positives of the place.

• Very nice place to stay few days in Rotterdam center. – Yorick from Belgium – April 7, 2025 (9/10)

  The location, the design and the cleanliness. The staff is welcoming, very efficient and super polite. I recommend 100%. Thank you !
  
  What could be improved: The breakfast organisation is not clear. Booking.com says "superbe petit-déjeuner inclus" but this is not true. You only have a croissant + tea/coffee. You have to pay much more for the full breakfast. But the staff has been very concerned and showed a lot of attention to our comment.

• Wonderful – Stijn from Netherlands – March 12, 2025 (9/10)

  Perfect location, warm welcome and a super clean hotel. I was pleasantly surprised and even more

• Wonderful – Alice from Italy – August 10, 2025 (9/10)

  Clean, comfy and very welcoming environment
  
  What could be improved: The room is very small not ideal for more then 1 night if you have luggages

Surroundings

Facilities