Sleep Tight

After success in Asia, is the Japanese capsule hotel model heading for Europe?

Words: Eleanor Howard Rows of stacked chambers, sparse interiors and extremely close quarters. These are just some of the key characteristics of the spacecraft-like capsule or pod hotels, a Japanese model of minimalist accommodation measuring roughly the length and width of a single or double bed with only essential amenities such as a pillow, locker facility, alarm clock and charging socket. The decidedly futuristic concept dates back to the 1970s, when eminent Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa designed Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo’s Ginza district with the intention of accommodating the capital’s bachelor salarymen. A rare surviving example of Japanese Metabolism – an architectural movement emblematic of Japan’s post-war cultural resurgence – the tower comprises 140 self-contained prefabricated capsules each measuring 2.5 x 4m with a small window and basic furnishings. Much like a hostel, many amenities are shared including toilets, showers and dining spaces; however, the individual nature of capsule hotels promises privacy and personal space not afforded by bunk beds in communal dormitories. Japan’s rising population, paired with a lack of space and soaring hotel prices, saw more than 300 capsule hotels emerge across the country, with many popping up near airports and train stations.

Up until two years ago, the consumer appeal of capsule hotels was price and convenience. Now however, as the world now emerges from the pandemic with a newfound priority for personal space, privacy, and self-contained units, the novel hotel model has more allure than ever. In fact, a report recently published by ResearchandMarkets.com outlines that the global capsule hotel market is projected to reach US$276.2 million by 2028, citing the growth of the travel and tourism industry across the globe along with preference for cost-effective living during travel as driving the demand.

While the fundamental components vary very little, the unique nature of capsule hotels presents manufacturers with the opportunity to express creativity in their design. German company Space Hotels for example, which has supplied projects such as The Capsule Hotel in Sydney and Urbanpod Hotel in Mumbai, capitalises on the spacecraft-like nature of capsule beds by using neon lights and modern technology for a futuristic look.

© Cosmonde

Cosmonde’s vertical Capsule Bed Square are furnished with plug sockets, a fan, LED light and curtain

Japanese manufacturer Cosmonde offers more variety in its capsule designs to enable customisation according to a client’s application. After breaking away from non-recyclable fibreglass reinforced plastics in favour of renewable materials using aluminum alloys and resin plastics, Cosmonde has continued to prioritise innovation within the capsule bed sector by developing the Capsule Bed Square series, which can be easily disassembled, reassembled and customised as Kurokawa once envisioned.

At the forthcoming Ninja & Geisha hotel in Kansai for instance, Cosmonde has supplied 96 vertical Square capsule beds customised with premium mattresses, black panelling and bespoke ladders to complement the hotel’s overall design concept. The manufacturer also added Japanese-style wallpaper to create four different room concepts, introducing subtle variety among the regimented accommodation.

Catering to the sophisticated modern traveller meanwhile, Kinn Capsule Hotel in Singapore’s Chinatown collaborated with creative consultancy Hjgher Studio to design 72 vertically-stacked textured-wood pods with warm lighting and earthy hues that mimic the colours and textures of nature to cultivate a psychologically calming, relaxing and re-energising environment.

Capsule hotels are now gaining momentum in Europe too, though not without challenges. Spanish start-up Optimi Rooms recently opened its second site, bringing its larger, patented capsule model to Madrid. And the UK hotel market is keen to get in on the action, with the coastal town of St Leonards welcoming new pod accomodation site, Pod Central, with its 16 energy-saving pods. However, as highlighted in a recent Hotel Analyst report, the lack of en-suite facilites and windows means that the authorities, particularly in Europe, are hesistant to label pod-based acccommodation as hotels, instead marking them as hostels.

Despite the current categorisation challenges, there is plenty of potential for the capsule hotel model to take hold in Europe. With so many office spaces in popular tourist destinations left largely empty or abandoned altogether in the wake of the pandemic, does the key to its success lie in conversion?