Yo, Check Out Yotel
Yotel, Simon Woodroffe’s (founder of YO! Sushi back in 1997) newest undertaking was launched in July 2007 and aims to provide consumers with “luxury” hotel rooms at affordable prices. Simon came up with the idea of Japanese capsule hotels (hotel system of extremely dense occupancy popular in Japan) a while ago and recently combined forces with the designer of British Airways first class cabin, Priestman Goode, to create a chain of small, but comfortable and fashionable hotel rooms. Yotel offers “economy” and “premium” rooms that are only 7 and 10 square meters in size, respectively, but the designers have incorporated innovative use of space and impressive interactive technology (“techno wall” where iPod can be directly plugged into room’s sound system without speakers or international sockets, flat screen TV, mood lighting, etc) to make the rooms appealing. Bedside charging points, personal lighting, a dimming control and bed deployment switch allows you to work or relax without moving from the comfort of your bed. The luxury bathroom includes overhead rain shower, a hand shower, and a heated mirror among other things. The study desk folds out of the “techno wall” with its own stow able chair and a complete range of power and connectivity including free internet access. Suit and dress hanging and storage for everything from your car keys to loose change provide a place for everything. The 23”flat screen TV system mentioned earlier hangs from the wall with a varied choice of films, TV, radio, and internet. Obviously the reduced land costs due to the small room size add to Yotel’s ability to provide affordable prices even with all these features. There has even been talk of putting these rooms underground!
As more and more people have begun traveling, I think this is a great idea. As a student I love the concept because the rooms are so technologically savvy and cheap at the same time!
It is refreshing to read about an innovative start up that is not in the tech- space and and that has an idea that actually makes sense. I would love to stay in a Yotel room one day. Too bad they are currently only available near Heathrow and Gatwick Airports in the UK, but a Yotel is set to open in Amsterdam later this summer and plans to expand further are underway. An excuse to go to Europe perhaps?!
If you’re going to be traveling anytime soon, or just want to check them out, go to www.yotel.com
