Jumbo Hostel 'Takes Off' at Stockholm Airport

by Terri Potratz | January 13, 2009 at 10:06 am

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The Jumbo Hostel is the newest hotel in Stockholm, resting adjacent to the Arlanda Airport - but this accommodation is the first of it's kind in the world. A 30 year old 747 jumbo jet was converted into a hostel by entrepreneur Oscar Dios, who outfitted the Boeing with 85 beds spanning across 25 rooms.

There are multiple options for aviation aficionados—hostel standard, with several beds in one room (cheapest); a private room option that has you sharing showers and toilets in the corridors; and the luxury cockpit suite, which has a private shower and toilet (that one costs $830 a night). All rooms come with free wifi. There’s rumor of $25 short stays for those with long layovers, but the website says nothing of the kind. No word on complimentary earplugs for all the surrounding airport noises—you know, like planes taking off and landing.

Most rooms are moderately sized, though in dorm rooms (which are not unisex; you are in the male dorm or female dorm) shared between four people you can't expect to enjoy a load of personal or private space. But a bed in a Jumbo Hostel shared room will only set you back about $45 USD which is quite an affordable rate, even for backpackers. The luxury cockpit suite works out to about $410 USD per night.

Flatscreen televisions in each room offer entertainment, but are also linked up to the airport's departure and arrival arrival times. There's an on-board cafe serving light drinks and snacks, bathrooms and showers at the rear of the plane, and a conference room is being developed on top of the craft.

Kudos to the design team for retaining the overhead luggage compartments for - you guessed it - convenient luggage storage. Staff will wear classic airline uniforms, and the interior was sparsely designed with a 1970's aesthetic.

Currently the Jumbo Hostel can accommodate 74 guests, but additional rooms are being built within the engine bays under the wings.

The hostel is accepting bookings now and opens this month.

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