Thinking outside the cube

A hostel-hotel hybrid in Revelstoke, B.C.

Owner and manager of The Cube Hotel, Louis-Marc Simard, provides a more sustainable option than a regular hotel room for a better price. — Photo courtesy Louis-Marc Simard

The Rubik’s Cube is a conundrum unlike any other. Some of us may become so enamored with the fist-sized puzzle box that we wonder what it would be like to live inside of one. There’s an abode in Revelstoke that exhibits the features of Rubik’s curious invention. Step inside The Cube Hotel to discover what an innovative imagination is capable of.

“The shape was already there since we renovated an existing building,” said Louis-Marc Simard, owner and manager of the Cube Hotel. “The unique exterior reflects our innovative alternative to everyday lodging, sending the message that we are laid back and fun to stay at.”

The Cube Hotel is a hybrid between a hostel and a hotel. The rooms are private and include a washroom, TV and in-room air conditioner. Individual showers are located in separate rooms off a hallway and a full-size kitchen is adjacent to the large common area.

“We attract travelers that are looking for a room, not a dream,” Simard said. “Our rooms are smaller, and so are our prices.”

Simard’s vision took shape in 2014 when the Cube Hotel opened for business. His goal was to attract folks that at one time enjoyed staying in a hostel but wanted more comfort and privacy. He found his customers were willing to stay in a smaller room as long as the price and the atmosphere were right.

“I wanted to provide a more sustainable, affordable and convivial place than your regular hotel,” Simard said. “We offer travellers the opportunity to meet each other while reducing our environmental imprint.”

Thinking outside the box isn’t where innovation resides; it’s nestled in the confines of a cube in Revelstoke.