do disturb — Encounters with modern day nomads
do disturb — Encounters with modern day nomads
INTRODUCTION
citizenM Hotels
Wanderlust Wanderlust. It’s the best word in the English language (aside from kumquat, nipple and frothy), though it’s not actually an English word. We must thank the Germans and their love of hiking for loaning it to us. Celebrated travel writer, Paul Theroux, puts it better: ‘I've seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it.’ We travel for countless reasons: to soak
citizenM’s belief is simple: give all
up the sights, do business, shop, explore
eternally curious travellers out there the
or simply to lounge beneath skies that are
best homes-from-home in the world.
less grey than our own. But above all, the modern traveller visits people not places.
This means hotels that are luxurious,
And it’s through these locals that the
in the modern sense of the word; hotels
journey really takes shape.
which are affordable, so you have enough money left to see that strange
citizenM is an ever-growing collection
play recommended by a bartender at
of hotels started by enthusiasts with
2 AM last night; hotels with rooms
wanderlust, peoplelust and bedlust.
enhanced by great tech, showers and
A hotel named after mobile citizens
beds to make all other beds crumple with
(that’s where the M in our name comes
envy; with lobbies that aren’t actually
from); those who travel with a mobile in
lobbies, they’re collections of stylish,
their pockets and mobility in their
artful spaces designed to inspire work,
hearts, minds and feet.
rest, gossip, people-watching, cocktaildrinking, vintage sofa-slouching and
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noodle-slurping. All slotted into the best
crowds. Take the back door. Go the back
neighbourhoods of the world’s best cities.
streets. Look up. Walk, you have time. Enjoy a bed that enhances your dreams
The story behind our hotels is also the
(hint: they’re in our hotels). Avoid the
story behind this book. citizenM is named
selfie, get a passer-by to take the shot
after our guests; individuals who are as
instead.
inspiring, culturally diverse and storyrich as the locals in the cities they visit.
Explore a city at 5.30 AM, the streets
We were happy to get to know them
are glowing and characters plenty. Flea
more through the beautiful lens of
markets are the soul of every city, go if
Desiré. We hope you are too.
you can. Dare to eat food that squirms (though don’t blame us if things get
Before you meet these new friends, let
weird). Visit questionable-looking
us sign off with some tips – from guests,
nightclubs, because soon you’ll be
friends, taxi drivers, citizenM cleaners,
dancing with a 90-year-old sushi chef,
ambassadors and baristas – on how to
an urban beekeeper and a woman who
enjoy every new city you find yourself in.
claims to be descended from Cleopatra.
Try a few and let us know how you
Travel with map closed and eyes wide
get on...
open (though don’t blame us if things get weird). Always carry a notepad, your
Always sit at the bar. Eavesdrop without
smartphone switched to silent and a
shame. Take home a local’s joke and
photo of your Mum.
leave one behind in return. Go off-menu. Make eye contact. Visit the place with
Lastly, come say hi, whether you’re
the least TripAdvisor recommendations.
staying as a guest or not. We welcome
Find that bookstore with more dust than
all travellers, even if you’ve just travelled
books. Talk to a corner shop owner, she
from two streets away.
has some brilliantly off-kilter tips. Eat with your hands and from the street.
Safe journey,
Shop vintage, independent and without
citizenM
“The story behind our hotels is also the story behind this book.” — citizenM
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“The modern traveller visits people not places. And it’s through these locals that the journey really takes shape.” — citizenM
INTRODUCTION BY
Desiré van den Berg — Photographer
The world is such an intriguing place Have you ever found yourself surrounded by strangers, wondering what their lives look like? I have. Many times. The philanthropist in me always ends up speaking to travellers on trains or helping lost tourists find their way. My curiosity is rewarded with an intimate glimpse into their lives – even if we only speak for seconds. A facial expression, a small gesture, a few little words, can reveal so much about a stranger. Nothing is enriching my life as a photographer more than this.
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When I was told about the concept of this
I spent hours and hours with my new
photography series, diving into the lives
friends from across the globe, listening to
of complete strangers, I was immediately
their stories. Travelling from Amsterdam
fascinated. I was asked to visit hotels in
to New York, London and Paris was
four of the most inspiring cities around
not just a physical journey. It made me
the world, and engage with travellers
realise the people I met and the places
who would allow me to join them for a
I visited touched me on a very personal
day in their lives. The challenge of this
and emotional level.
project was to capture very intimate moments via my lens and have them tell
This book celebrates the beauty of
me their stories.
global diversity, and in particular the people who never stand still, and travel
I spent hours on the couches in the
physically as well as emotionally.
citizenM lobbies waiting for the perfect moment deciding on whom to approach.
Do Disturb is a testimony to people’s
I had no system for this; it was purely
willingness to share a look in their hotel
based on my instinct and gut feeling.
rooms of life and open up their suitcases of stories.
“It is the story that makes a connection with the person reading it.” — Desiré van den Berg Photographer
“Sorry can I ask you something?”- I must have asked this over a hundred times. And while doing so, not sounding like one of those people on a busy shopping street trying to sell you something. Luckily enough, my question was usually answered with a smile. “Can I be part of your life for a day and follow you with my camera?” I never thought the days to come would turn out to such a magical experience.
Thanks to all the people who are featured in this book for sharing your time and trust. You have inspired me immensely and I hope everyone reading this book will do so too.
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“Travel with map closed and eyes wide open.” — citizenM
— Desha Thompson "Travelling is my way of escaping reality. I'm a dancer in Las Vegas, so I'm free to travel often. I travelled four times in the past four months! I went to Indonesia, Japan‌ I guess I could just live my life on the move."
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AMSTERDAM
“Travelling is my way of escaping reality.”
LONDON
— Desha Thompson N E W YO R K PA R I S
NAME
Desha Thompson (1991)
FROM
Las Vegas (USA)
PURPOSE OF VISIT
Fun.
N E V E R T R AV E LS W I T H O U T
My GoPro and my Instagram to post pictures of my travels.
— Jake Head "I'm very careless with my ties. I lost one a couple of days ago in Berlin after I had a few drinks at night. I used it to tie someone to a landpost… My other tie got lost in Singapore when I was having a beer after work and got talked into being a stripper while they played Grease Lightning. The concierge managed to gather most of my clothes and brought them to me the next morning when I was having a coffee with my boss. I had some explaining to do…"
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AMSTERDAM LONDON N E W YO R K PA R I S
NAME
Jake Head (1988)
FROM
Brighton (UK)
PURPOSE OF VISIT
Business at the RAI exhibition centre.
N E V E R T R AV E LS W I T H O U T
My music, which is mostly rock and dubstep.
— Mike Lim
“Human beings don't create, God does.” — Mike Lim
"Human beings don't create, God does. I'm not a Christian but I just believe that everything has already been created for us and it's up to us to continue from there. People don't create, they invent."
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AMSTERDAM LONDON N E W YO R K PA R I S
NAME
Mike Lim (1967)
FROM
Singapore (Singapore)
PURPOSE OF VISIT
Check out what is new in design. I'm an interior designer, and did the Dubai mall the biggest mall in the world.
N E V E R T R AV E LS W I T H O U T
My own pillow cover. It’s just comforting when I go to bed, to lay my head down on something familiar.
— Flora Xu "I am a very passionate person and will always stay young at heart. Growing up brings so many responsibilities, but I will always stay a kid on the inside. I think that's essential to happiness, to still enjoy the little things in life."
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AMSTERDAM LONDON N E W YO R K PA R I S
NAME
Flora Xu (1981)
FROM
Shanghai (China)
PURPOSE OF VISIT
Starting a road trip through Normandy and Bordeaux.
N E V E R T R AV E LS W I T H O U T
A silver Christian cross necklace.