Capsule hotels offer small modular spaces for sleeping, with little more than a TV and locker for personal belongings. They are not ideal for light sleepers due to noise pollution. Developed in Japan, they are popular with business people and range in size from 50 to 700 capsules. Prices range from $16 to $34 USD.
A capsule hotel is a hotel that offers incredibly small rooms. Indeed, the rooms are actually long drawers in which the tenants can get some sleep. In these hotels with very dense occupancy, a “room” or capsule is a modular space approximately 2 x 1.25 x 2 meters (6.6 x 4.1 x 3.2 feet). Due to space limitations, it is not possible to stay inside these “rooms”. Squatting down might be difficult for a tall person. These pods are often stacked two or more high along the hotel corridor. Generally the modules are made of fiberglass.
A capsule hotel offers guests little more than a place to sleep. However, many pods feature small televisions that are hung from the ceiling at an angle so that they can be viewed while the occupant is lying down. Guests are assigned a locker located in the immediate vicinity of the capsule where they can store their luggage and other personal belongings. Although the capsule door is transparent, it is equipped with a curtain so guests can have privacy while sleeping. The curtain is also important for blocking out light from the hallway. It is important to note, however, that capsule hotels are not ideal lodging establishments for light sleepers. Due to proximity to other tenants, noise pollution can be a problem.
Of course, after a good night’s sleep, most people want to start their day refreshed. In capsule hotels, beach facilities are common, just like in hostels. Many capsule hotels also have restaurants in or nearby. Travelers planning to stay in a capsule hotel can at least expect access to vending machines.
The capsule hotel was developed in Japan. With space at a serious premium in Japan, architects and interior designers are constantly looking for ways to conserve space, down to inches and centimetres. It’s this sense of spatial economy that has led to innovations like the cubic watermelon. Japanese capsule hotels vary in size. Some of them only contain around 50 capsules. There are others that can accommodate up to 700 guests.
Although capsule hotels are highly regarded for their price and convenience, they are usually used by business people who need a place to stay after missing the last train home. The price of a night’s sleep in a capsule hotel usually ranges between 2,000 and 4,000 yen ($16 – $34 (USD)).
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