Yotel makes tiny rooms trendy

Versus their American counterparts, European hotels featuring smaller guestrooms are the norm rather than the exception. Space has traditionally been a premium afforded only to upscale travelers. But as the values of luxury consumers shift, forward-thinking hoteliers are emphasizing convenience and premium amenities over larger rooms.

One of the pioneers in this trend was Yotel Ltd., a British-based hotel brand, opening initially at London’s Gatwick Airport in July 2007, then expanding to Heathrow later that year and most recently to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in 2008. Not only have they broken new ground by building under the airport while integrating with the existing electrical, plumbing and window-less fire-safety conditions, they have also forged an unusual business model allowing guests to book in hourly increments as well as overnight.

Based upon capsule hotels in Japan, the ingeniously designed minuscule rooms are seven or 10 square meters but have upscale amenities such as handmade mattresses with organic fibers, flat-screen televisions, free wifi, 24-hour room service, and rain showers in the ensuite bathrooms. With occupancy rates at nearly 100% and having won Business Accommodation of the Year at the Business Travel World Awards 2009, Yotel has proven that there is always a way to breathe fresh life into an ancient industry.