Coffin Hotels Opening Near You

An anonymous reader writes "Britain will soon see the launch of a chain of automated, short-term hotels for travelers and businesspeople." From the article: "Each soundproof cabin will contain a sofa that converts into a double bed, a pull down desk, closet space, adjustable mood lighting, a shower, wireless Internet, an iPod connection and a flat-screen TV. Check-in and check-out will be automated, but food and drinks will be available."

Comments

that's huge!

[User 956]

Each soundproof cabin will contain a sofa that converts into a double bed, a pull down desk, closet space, adjustable mood lighting, a shower, wireless Internet, an iPod connection and a flat-screen TV

That's huge compared to what they have in Japan. In Japan, they have what are called capsule hotels", which is basically like the sleeping tubes in the movie the 5th element.

Re:that's huge!

[JanneM]

That's huge compared to what they have in Japan. In Japan, they have what are called capsule hotels", which is basically like the sleeping tubes in the movie the 5th element.

Yep. This sounds more like a scaled-down normal room. The capsule hotels in Tokyo and Osaka, for those who don't know, are situated around the major train stations and cater to drunk salarymen who missed the last train and need someplace to crash before work the next morning. As such, they're actually quite expensive (set to be cheaper than taking a taxi home), and often prohibit women guests altogether. If you're looking for somewhere to go with that special someone, there's lots of clean, cheerful "love hotels" dotted around every entertainment district (which, often, are actually cheaper, cleaner and more comfortable than a normal hotel if you're looking for a place to stay overnight).

Re:that's huge!

[Bazman]

Or if you are in Japan and want a nice traditional cheap hostel-style room, then find a 'ryokan' somewhere.

Re:that's huge!

[cybernezumi]

I've stayed at a couple capsules, they're surprisingly comfortable so long as you're under about 6 foot or so. I'm even a little put off by tight spaces and it really didn't bother me. I could also kinda sit up if I wanted to. Prices of the ones I stayed at were about half the price of regular business hotels (which these "coffin" hotels come closer to: a bed, a bath, a desk/fridge/tv and enough room to walk between them). The capsules I stayed at were getting kinda old, so my impression is that they are a bit of a left-over of the popped Bubble Economy. I see far more new business hotels. On love hotels, there are a few catches (overnight pricing begins around 10-11PM & no reentry). You'll also probably need a bit of Japanese skill at checkout ("No, I didn't drink any of the sake in the fridge, please let me out."). They are usually about the same price as business hotels on the low end but usually a lot more room (queen bed, big tub, etc). More interesting stuff on the in-room TV too... >;)

Somethiing similar already exists

[DrXym]

EasyHotel runs a hotel in London where each room is essentially a box with a door. Windows, room service and the remote control which turns on the TV are extra. Prices vary from very cheap to much more than a conventional hotel room depending on when you book. It's a great idea assuming you don't plan to be in the room much and pick up a good rate, otherwise I'm not so sure. There are plenty of cheap chains like Travel Inn, TravelLodge, Ibis etc. who provide a full hotel service without the swingeing.

The concept of a small room does appeal to me though. Assuming it was well designed and contains all the amenities, I'd have no problem with it. But the price must be substantially cheaper than a regular room to reflect the higher number of people they're cramming into the same space.

Re:Ipod connection?

[Brother Dysk]

It's not called a "jack stick" because that's Danish. In English, we call that an eighth inch audio connector.

Re:Don't care.

[kfg]

The phrase "I could care less" is the sardonic shorthand version of the phrase, "I could care less, but I'm not sure how."

It's an idiom and assumes knowledge of the metadata to make sense of it.

Grammar nazis only have dictionaries, not knowledge.

KFG

Re:Ipod connection?

[rich_r]

I think you'll find that it's a 3.5mm stero jack plug...

Re:Ipod connection?

[cioxx]

Did you read the whole thing or just scanned it?

Techno Wall with desk, universal port (for your i-pod or PDA) and plenty of storage

Re:Ipod connection?

[Kasis]

From the link you posted:

        * Premium and Economy cabins
        * Techno Wall with desk, universal port (for your i-pod or PDA) and plenty of storage
        * Flat screen TV with surround sound speaker system
        * Free Internet - Wired and Wi-fi
        * Choice of hundreds of downloadable movies and CD's
        * Air conditioning
        * Double rotating beds
        * Ensuite bathrooms
        * Aircraft cabin mood lighting
        * Luxury bathroom fittings including monsoon rain shower
        * Luxury bedding
        * Bespoke Toiletries
        * Eat In grazing menu
        * Automated Check in / out
        * Web booking

Sounds like a USB port.

The lack of natural light

[Anonymous Coward]

Tfa mentions that the lack of natural light is perceived as a problem. Most of the time when you are in a hotel room, it's dark outside. What you get is the light from surrounding buildings. Sometimes the view out the window is seriously ugly.

Natural light could be provided by a light pipe; a quick google shows that those are commercially available. A decent sized lcd monitor covered with sheers would give you the same effect as a window.

I've travelled a lot and 90% of the time, the view out my hotel room window hasn't been that great. Most of the time I'm in the room with the curtains closed and the window doesn't matter anyway.

The lack of natural light shouldn't be a big deal.

Price point for budget hotels is already $70

[cardpuncher]

You can (usually) get a "normal" hotel in London from one of the budget chains for around the $70 mark (depending on area). The last time I checked "easyHotel" (http://www.easyhotel.com/), who pioneered the reduced-cost hotel concept, their prices were typically higher (up to $80 per night) than I could get in a number of conventional hotels that offered more space and a higher level of service. Accor (the French chain that operates Motel 6, Ibis, Novotel et al) already operates the Formule 1 brand (http://www.hotelformule1.com/) which provides automated checkin and basic rooms from around $50 in (the environs of) London and don't vary their prices according to demand the way easyHotel do.

The only thing that seems to distinguish the Yotel is "designer" styling - and it will be interesting to see how this stands up to the wear and tear of a small space with high occupancy levels...

Still, if they manage to deliver a hotel which meets the three basic requirements of a hotel - cleanliness, a working shower and a room quiet enough to sleep in - they'll be doing better than the majority of establishments out there!

Re:... no thanks ! - Britain is a dirty island ..

[iBod]

Well, to be fair, what you say is true of London and other major cities in the UK, and any of the tourist 'honeypot' destinations. Poor service, poor standards, poor value because they don't have to make an effort.

If you get off the beaten track a bit, market forces begin to operate and hotels and B&Bs need to compete, ergo standards are infinately better.

I don't think it's right to say that Britain is a 'dirty island' - I have enjoyed some great times there. You just have to know where to avoid I guess - just like any other place.

Re:... no thanks ! - Britain is a dirty island ..

[Bazzalisk]

Dublin? try Cork city.

But, yeah, London is filthy. Manchester is Filthy, and Liverpool and Birmingham are only slightly better.

Milton Keynes is quite clean ;)

Re:... no thanks ! - Britain is a dirty island ..

[Anonymous Coward]

Milton Keynes is a lifeless concrete desert.

Re:Ipod connection?

[alc6379]

An 1/8" jack is what's on your old man's "HiFi" from the 60s or 70s. iPods, PDAs, portable CD players, and other portable audio devices typically use a 3.5mm jack for the headphones, which is much smaller.

No.

You're thinking a 1/4" jack. 3.5mm is 1/8", roughly.