Port of San Diego Selects Developer for Pod Hotel

May 23, 2019

CONTACT: Brianne Mundy Page, 619.348.1518, bpage@portofsandiego.org

The Port of San Diego has selected an experienced, international hospitality team to develop and operate a new shared hospitality pod hotel concept, expected to be one of the first in the country. This action is a significant step forward in providing lower-cost overnight accommodations on land managed by the Port.

The Port sought proposals for an innovative team to develop and/or operate lower-cost overnight accommodations near San Diego Bay. Of the three complete proposals received, the Board of Port Commissioners selected the STAY OPEN team, a partnership between Los Angeles-based CaRE Development, LLC and New Zealand-based JUCY Snooze, at its meeting on May 14, 2019. The STAY OPEN team proposes to create a new “shared hospitality” pod hotel experience where people from all over the world come to connect under one roof. Pod hotels, marketed to budget travelers, feature shared rooms with multiple pods and a shared bathroom. The STAY OPEN hotel would feature:

  • 220 self-contained pods (33 rooms with eight to 12 pods per room) – each with a single-occupancy bed, storage locker, power supply, ventilation control, closeable screen for privacy and security; and free Wi-Fi;
  • Well-appointed shared bathroom with shower facilities, comparable to a high-end fitness center;
  • Six private Ensuite rooms with private bathrooms featuring queen and twin beds ideal for couples and families;
  • An activated rooftop space with a restaurant, bar and outdoor seating, which will be open to the public

“STAY OPEN’s innovative ‘shared hospitality’ concept really stood out, as it is geared towards the traveler that is looking to stay in prime locations without breaking the bank or sacrificing the experience,” said Chairman Garry Bonelli, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “The STAY OPEN team has a successful track record of developing and operating high quality, lower-cost overnight accommodations globally. We look forward to having them as a partner.”

“We are very pleased to have been selected by the Port of San Diego for the development of lower-cost overnight accommodations near San Diego Bay. With the location’s proximity to transit and nearby attractions, we saw this site as a great opportunity for the new STAY OPEN concept. We look forward to being the first to bring shared hospitality to the San Diego market through a pod hotel and expect there to be a great deal of synergy for guests of our Los Angeles locations, which are in development now,” said Steve Shpilsky, CEO and Co-Founder of STAY OPEN.

The new STAY OPEN Hotel will help the Port meet its goal of developing lower-cost overnight accommodations by creating a new opportunity for visitors from a variety of backgrounds and incomes to enjoy the full range of coastal experiences available on the dynamic San Diego Bay waterfront. It will be located on Pacific Highway between the Port’s Administration Building and Palm Street.

The Board’s action formally concludes the competitive process. Port staff will now begin exclusive negotiations with the STAY OPEN team.

Timeline – Lower-Cost Overnight Accommodations

  • January 22, 2019 – Port issued public Request for Proposals
  • March 7, 2019 – Submissions due
  • March 25-28, 2019 – Port staff conducted site visits for all proposers
  • April 2, 2019 – Cross-functional team reviewed proposals and interviewed proposers
  • May 14, 2019 – Board of Port Commissioners selected the STAY OPEN team and concluded the competitive process

Port staff expects to return to the Board by the end of 2019 to seek direction to commence the environmental review process.

STAY OPEN media contact - info@stayopen.com

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