Welcome to the future where travel accommodation pods have finally arrived in Australia with the opening of The Capsule Hotel in Sydney on the corner of George and Liverpool streets.
But be warned, while there may not be enough room to swing a cat (claustrophobes steer clear), it’s perfect for those who don’t mind confined spaces and are looking for a cheap room (between $50-$70) and shower for the night in the heart of Sydney.
A concept spawned in Japan in the 1970s, the idea of self-contained pod-style accommodation has spread throughout the world slowly but surely and has been described as having a price point somewhere between Airbnb and a hostel. It’s certainly a step up from your typical backpackers with a few bells and whistles on top of its central location above The Century Bar.
Each of the 70 capsules is fitted with facilities including LCD TV, safety deposit box, USB connectors, head phone jack, mirror, adjustable lights, universal power point, alarm clock and full climate control. There’s a communal kitchenette and laundry facilities as well.
Chief executive of Accommodation Association of Australia, Richard Munro, told the Sydney Morning Herald recently that while the Capsule Hotel was a niche product, he welcomed innovation and diversification in the market.
“There’s a big demand for full-service hotels and limited demand for very low service offerings, so I don’t think this is any threat to the traditional hotel industry,” he said (SMH June 4). “There’s the tyranny of distance in Sydney, with people living over an hour out of the city, so it may be a solution for someone who needs a bed and a shower for the night, so it can fulfil a need.”
There are three types of capsules, or rooms, at The Capsule Hotel including a Single Bed – Front Entrance room which is the most basic of the three with a flat screen TV, in room safe, linen, mirror, aircon, dimmed lighting and a locker.
The second is a Single Bed – Side Entrance capsule with two main differences from the first option including a side entrance that is slightly more accessible and a bigger and better TV. The third, a Deluxe Bed – Side Entrance, is more spacious and features a queen size bed and an even bigger TV.
The hotel is very close to train stations in the Sydney CBD and a short walk from Kobe Wagyu BBQ Restaurant, City Heroes Pool & Billiards, World Square Shopping Centre and Chinatown.
Check out The Capsule Hotel in Sydney
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