Backpackers find hostel hidden inside Ikea with 'Night at the Museum vibes'
A group of travelling friends were delighted and surprised to discover that their hostel was inside an Ikea.
As well known as the Swedish furniture giant may be when it comes to ergonomic, space saving solutions, managing to fit a reasonably price dwelling for holidaymakers to stay in in store is a definite novelty.
During a two-and-a-half-week backpacking trip across Europe last summer with two friends, Jess Braun was delighted to discover that her hostel in Vienna, Austria was inside the famed blue household goods warehouse. The 28-year-old Canadian didn't know about the unconventional location until she landed, having left the booking to one of her pals.
"I was like, 'What do you mean we have to go in Ikea? We got some looks when we were walking in with our big backpacks. It looked like we were moving into Ikea," Jess told Business Insider.
Jess and her pals enjoyed larking around in Ikea (@jesskbraun)
They were amazed at the hostel's location (@jesskbraun)Jess was impressed with the facilities at the Jo & Joe hostel, describing it as "very spacious" and "industrial but chill." Glass walls allow guests to look down on shoppers as they peruse furniture on the floor below. The pals filmed themselves whizzing up and down the Ikea escalators, upbeat Abba music playing in the background.
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Once the Ikea had shut for the evening Jess felt that the hostel acquired "Night at the Museum vibes", which she found to be "weird" but not "creepy". The friend ended up forking out 341 euros (£295) for three nights. They spent a few of their mealtimes enjoying the famously cut price fare on offer in the Ikea café.
After posting a video of her stay online, one commenter asked whether the hostel encouraged Ikea "hide and seek at night". Another person chimed in: "For a second I thought it was an Ikea hostel. Like the beds, sheets, all the furniture is Ikea. Maybe featuring an Ikea dinner?"
A third added: "Once I booked this hostel but I arrived at night and the Ikea was closed. I spent forever searching for the elevator outside."
The hostel opened in 2021 as part of a partnership between Jo & Joe, which is owned by French hospitality giant Accor. It is decorated by some Ikea furniture and fixings, by not laid out in a similar way to the shop's showrooms.
An even more Ikea-themed experience can be found at a hotel run by the Swedish firm in Älmhult, the city where the company originated. It has now been running for 59 years and boats 250 rooms as well as a restaurant. Once you've tried out the beds for comfort and eaten some meatballs, you can head over the road to the Ikea museum.
Back in 2019 Police officers were called to guard an Ikea store from 3,000 teenagers who were planning to play hide-and-seek among the furniture. The game was due to take place at an Ikea building in Braehead, Glasgow, however police thwarted the fun.
Despite some of the attendees managing to sneak into the store, hiding in fridges and cupboards, others were stopped upon entry and turned away. The event, which was organised over Facebook and billed as 'Glasgow's biggest hide and seek', fizzled out when participants spotted the heavy police presence.
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