Districthive's Colony fully operates using its Apple and Android APP called "DISTRICTHIVE". You can not book or access the podtel if you do not have a smartphone, internet connection and our app installed.
There is no way around this. You must download, install and login to the app prior to your visit.
Click here to download.
It is Districthive's policy to authorise and block 500 EUR on your card to cover any damage, negligence, smoke damage and missing items. It is not possible to stay at the podtel without this.
The local host will clean and inspect the podtel after you check out to confirm that the are no claims against you before releasing your deposit back to your card.
You must read and agree to all the information below in full before your stay.
Districthive's Colony is a space for humans to recharge and connect with breathtaking tranquil nature in luxury with total comfort and access to technology. Each podtel is set amidst stunning landscapes with privacy, parking and usually near beautiful local towns.
Our "Colony", a smart tiny house Pod hotel we call podtel is fully equipped, has 45 sqm of utilisable space and 30 sqm of that is indoor. It sleeps a family of four, one double space-bed, and 2 single hidden beds. Each member of your booking is able to gain user access to the App to control the podtel.
The Colony is A.I. powered by the Districthive APP available on Apple or Android mobile devices. You cannot book or gain access without a smart phone. Control entry, lighting, temperature, sound, aromas, TV; concierge and energy management.
The Colony Podtel makes its own fresh clean water, our proprietary secret. We harvest solar energy to create over 25KW of electricty a day and store it in 45 KWh batteries for you to enjoy the podtel without shut down for 4 days without sun. We treat waste and convert it into ash and water for irrigation.
The Colony Podtel can be installed on practically any terrain, because it does not need connection to any public utility services to be able to function. The pod harvests green solar and wind energy to power our technologies. Some pods have connections to main's electricity as backup in the event of low battery energy.
The podtel contains over 12 food and drink dispensing lockers with curated food from around the world. You can purchase anything you like on demand by using the mobile APP. You can also print on demand. All prices will be shown on the APP prior to purchase.
A Concierge is available 24/7 on the APP to assist you with anything you need. The APP has a curated informations page on things to do, restaurants and recommendations. A podtel responsible local Host is in charge of cleaning, maintainance and emergencies.
The podtels have with 2 fully charged e-scooters that can be rented for a up to 6 hours use. Take it with you to explore local towns and cities. Keep them with you at all times and return to the locker when done to recharge. Eco-friendly travel, fast, free of traffic and parking costs. You must have a driving permit and advised to wear a helmet.
The podtels have external security cameras on all sides that record activity at all times, storing the data for future crime prevention.
We do not use the footage for anything except when required for investigations of incidents or to assist you when you are locked outside.
There are no security cameras inside the pod for your security.
We have a anti-gravity floatation tub outside on the deck which is filled with Epsom salts to increase bouyancy just like in the Dead Sea. It is therapeutic and hygienic: contains chlorine. Submerge yourself, float away, relax and unwind whilst soaking in the sun to de-stress.
The state-of-art podtels generate solar electricity from the sun, however, sometimes due to bad weather, the batteries may not charge up. The A.I. will monitor consumption and predict depletion by turning down the lights or turning off the air con.
Check-in from 3 pm.
Check-out by 12 pm.
Local time of the hotel. If a Colony is available earlier, the DISTRICTHIVE APP will prompt you and let you in for free on that day.
You must take all your belongings and luggage with you when you check out, it can not be left behind.
Access
The hotel is mobile APP powered. You will receive an email at reservation containing your own password to sign in and access the "DistrictHive" APP on your iPhone or Android powered device. With this, you will have full access to your Colony podtel, after 3pm on the day of your scheduled arrival.
Mobile phone's battery is dead
As you know,you will have full access to your Colony podtel only through your phone, you will be able to charge it both inside and outside of the podtel. There is a USB charging port on the outside of the podtel with cables for various phones.
I have lost my phone
There is an emergency button near the door of the podtel which you can press. We will check the security camera to see that you are stuck outside. We will then open the door for you remotely so that you may regain access each time for the remainder of your stay or until you set up on another phone.
Size
The Colony podtel has over 45 sqm of utilisable space and is about 30sqm of interior covered space. It is like a tiny house with everything you need in it to live independently, just like you were at home.
Sleeps 4
Our Colony podtels sleep a family of 4. Four adults or two adults and two under 18. There is a double queen space bed for two. There is also 2 additional single drawer beds hidden under the queen bed which are ready and can be pulled out when needed whilst being kept private from the queen bed room.
We take all payments electronically via the Districthive APP on your mobile phone. There, you can pay for anything extra you need or are billed for. We DO NOT accept cash because it is so last century!
We charge a 500 EUR security deposit on your card before you check-in. This is mandatory and your booking will not be confirmed until you pre-authorise this. We do this to ensure that all our guests treat this Colony podtel with respect and do not take anything they should not have, or smoke inside. On check out, the deposit hold will be released to you after our staff have finished checking and cleaning the colony you checked out of.
When you book and receive a reservation confirmation from us, you will gain access to the Districthive mobile APP which will tell you the exact location on the map and directions to get to from your current GPS position.
Our app called "DistrictHive", available on the Apple and Google Play store, is necessary to be able to enter and use the podtels. Here is what you can do with it.
DistrictHive APP features:
Unlock entry door to Podtel.
Control all lighting.
Control all temperature.
Control aroma of pod.
Ask Amazon Alexa anything on demand.
Control all sound through Amazon Echo. Speak to the A.I. by just asking "Alexa" to "turn down the lights" or "increase the volume".
Information about Energy consumption of the Podtel.
Concierge Service on demand.
Curated information of things to do, places to go, restaurants to eat in and more.
Pay for extra services including e-scooter, food and drinks.
All booking history and other important information.
Podtel location and map.
All booking history and other information.
Share on social media platforms.
Download instructions can be found here.
Everything you would need to lie on your own and recharge in a beautiful luxurious house in the middle of no where but close enough to the action whenever you need!
Bedroom
There is a double queen size space bed (sleeps 2) with a viewing window and sun shade. There are side tables with chargers for your devices and ambient lighting.
There is also 2 single hidden drawer beds that are ready for use and can be pulled out when needed for 2 extra guests.
All fitted with the most comofrtable mattresses, mattress protectors, pillows, duvet and the finest organic cotton sheets, duvet covers and protectors.
Electric Chargers
International power plugs and USB-plugs in at least 4 locations for you to charge all your devices anytime you need.
Internet
We have high speed cellular powered Wifi Internet for your use. *Fair usage polciy of 1GB per day, please do not use it for downloading heavy files in order to avoid being capped.
Heating & Air Conditioning
There is air ventilation, heating and air conditioning installed. You can use the APP to control it. Please note that it will automatically turn off after 1 hour of use to conserve energy. *Requires the Districthive mobile APP.
House Cleaning
The host will arrive everyday around 12pm local time to make up the beds, change towels and give the place a quickly clean down. Please ensure you request cancellation of servicing the day before from within the APP if you do not want to be disturbed.
Music
Stream music to the A.I. powered bluetooth speakers. *Requires the Districthive mobile APP.
Aroma
Select your room's fragrances / aroma from the APP! *Requires the Districthive mobile APP.
Sun shade & Block
The glass around the pod has a special reflective film that minimises sun light coming in and increases privacy.
Living Room
Multi-directional sofas, to watch TV, or just gaze outside the windows and astound in awe of nature's beauty.
Bean bag and tables provided for additional comfort.
Toilets
We use very special incineration toilets. The way you use them is slightly different from what you are used to. You will be supplied with a special bowl liner paper to put in the toilet before using. Once you use the toilet paper and flush, it will disappear into the incineration chamber.
Shower
We use very efficient showers that only use just over a litre of water a minute by recycling and filtering over 80% of the water each time. The water is heated on demand.
Hot Water
The water is heated on demand so you always have hot water whenever you need it. It is available in the toilet sink, kitchen sink and shower.
Stargazing deck & Bean bag
There is a deck outside for you to relax and lie back using the bean bags provided in the living room. Star gaze at night, and read a book or top up your tan in the day.
Hammock & Nets
Each location will have a three people hammock for you to explore your surroundings and star gaze. Relax and read a book amidts nature, but please take your shoes off and do not smoke, or use sharp objects near the nets.
Modular locker walls
There are two modular walls, in the living room and kitchen as described in detail below.
These walls and cabinets have stickers indicating their various use like luggage storage, shoes, iron and ironing board, fridge, cutlery and more.
The kitchen module walls has a food and drinks locker released on payment only, and other facilities like microwave, fridge, coffee/tea machine etc. See below.
Two clever modular walls that contain everything you will ever need during your stay.
Living Room Wall
Clothes hangers.
Clothes shelves.
Iron (steam) and ironing board.
Small bags and large luggage storage.
Shoes storage. *Do not enter the pod with muddy shoes. Take them off and place them inside the cupboard.
Bug spray, because when you live in the wild, you never know when you need it.
Kitchen Wall
Door access to toilets and shower with a mirror at the back.
Kettle (energy efficient).
Microwave (small).
Mini fridge stocked with complementary drinking water bottles.
iRobot vacuum cleaner: Comes on at midday to clean the pod.
E-scooter locker. *Accessed on payment on APP only.
6 food option lockers (ready meals). *Accessed on payment on APP only.
6 drink option lockers (bottled or canned). *Accessed on payment on APP only.
Valuables Locker. *Accessed by Phone APP only.
Tea & coffee pod machine with free pods for your use.
Extra storage.
Air conditioning and aroma machine vent.
Technical cupboard for staff use only.
Kitchen Isle
Electric Induction hob cooker.
Extractor Fan above.
Kitchen Sink with hot and cold water.
Washing machine & Dryer.
Cabinets and drawers for Cutlery, Plates, Utensils and other cooking equipment.
Fire and First Aid kit locker with extinquishers and fire blanket.
Pull-out Lounge Chairs
The washroom and toilets are luxurious and full equipped.
Shower
4 bath Towels.
2 hand towels.
1 shower floor mat.
Aèsop shampoo and showergel dispensers.
4 pairs of slippers.
4 Japanese Kimonos.
Toilet & Wash sink
Aèsop soap dispenser.
Replacement toilet tray paper.
Toilet bin.
Toilet paper.
Incinerating Toilet Lining Paper.
We love pets, but unfortunately we DO NOT allow pets inside the podtels. You will be fined 500 EUR if we find animal hair during cleaning.
No smoking inside or outside the property.
Do not tamper with any of the technologies and infrustructure at the site.
Do not take anything with you, otherwise you will be charged for replacements.
Do not walk inside the pods with dirty shoes, please take them off before walking in. There is a surface for shoe scrubbing and cleaning at the bottom of the ramp to the entrance for your convenience. There is a shoe storage cuboard provided in the living room module.
Please leave all furniture in the podtel inside, even after using the bean bag on the star gazing deck.
Close all doors, windows and vents prior to leaving the podtel for security
We are an offgrid house and we do our best to be self sufficient. We make enough energy a day to power a small family of 4.
We store solar energy into our batteries that can hold over 72 KWh of electricity at a time. This can power a pod for at least 4 days without any sun. However, sometimes the weather is just something we can not do much about.
If in any instance the battery power is running low, or you are consuming energy at an excessive rate, our Artifical Intelligence called BEE will warn you and slowly start turning down your consumption.
Either by reducing the strength of the light illumination, turning off air conditioning and heating every 30 minutes or preserving energy in other ways.
Where location allow, we do plug in the national electricty grid as contingency so that you do not have any problems in such instances but this is not always guaranteed as we are sometimes installed in remote locations where no man's infrustructure has yet been installed.
Well we provide Towels, Shampoo, Soap, Hairdryers, Ironing boards, Japanese Kimonos and Slippers.
You ofcourse need to bring anything else you may like to use and make your stay comfortable.
You will definitely need a smart phone and clothes!
Well we are always hungry, so we can imagine that is the case for you too! Good news, we have automatic dispensing food and drink machines that serve curated ready made food and drinks from around the world made by a very good local and international chefs! Try things like: Okonomiyaki, Shakshouka, Tajines, Bratwurst and Bolo do caco Portuguese sandwiches
It gets better, we stock some of the finest Icelandic Beverages from Glacierfire for you to try, whether that is beer, ale, IPA, tonics, water, kombucha, coffee or even tea!
Simply use your phone to select the item you want, pay and the locker will automaticaly open!
Ofcourse you are welcome to bring your own food from the amazing local food companies and consume at the Colony which is fully equipped to let you do your own cooking.
Free to take away
Water bottles in the fridge. *You can drink the tap water as it is specially filtered.
Free to Use
Coffee & Tea Pods.
Condiments.
Free to use but replacement will be charged on your card if taken away
Bath and hand towels.
Bath mat.
Japanese kimonos.
Slippers.
Kitchen equipment.
All other lose fittings and furniture.
With extra payment only
E-scooters. *Purchase is per charge, you must put it back on charge and close the locker door to mark scooter as returned to avoid further charges.
Food options in lockers.
Drink options in lockers.
Late checkout
General
We have CCTVs in the exterior of the Colony podtel areas for your safety. It records and stores data which can be relied upon later.
There is a concierge available on your phone 24/7 to assist as you anytime of the day. Ask them anything!
There is a local host near the site at all times to assist as you in emergencies.
Health
We have carbon monoxide detectors in the house for your safety.
There is a smoke alarm fitted in the living room for your safety.
There is a water metre inside the tanks to ensure water quality is always the best.
Without the Internet, we start to hyper ventilate, so we can imagine how important it is for you too! We provide high speed internet access accross the whole Colony, even in the toilets! We have 2 sium cards to ensure that the connection never goes down!
We recommend you get a local sim card to use whilst exploring the country!
Yes we try to ensure that all our locations have some parking.
some locations are so wild, that we simply can not create parking near the Colony podtel, we will tell you in each case where you can leave your car during your stay.
Sorry, we do not accept cancellations once your booking is confirmed and paid.
We know sometimes things happen and you just have no choice but to change plans, we will let you modify your reservation dates once for free.
The podtel is a smoke-free property, which also includes e-cigarettes. All rooms and public areas are designated as such. A smoking fee of 500 EUR will be charged if evidence of smoking is found in your room or on the premises.
Thanks to Mr. Google, pretty much over 100 languages!
We will do everything to use modern technology to ensure that between hand gestures and translation tools, we will answer all your questions!
