Missed the last train? Can’t get a cab? Uber on surge pricing? No need to worry, just check in to Australia’s groundbreaking first capsule hotel. Yes, the iconic Japanese accommodation choice is heading Down Under.
As SBS reports, Sydney will soon be the first Australian city to boast its own capsule hotel, a style of accommodation that puts guests in tiny capsules stacked on top of each other for those requiring a quick, one-night stay.
The first capsule hotel opened in Osaka, Japan in 1979, followed by one in Xi’an, China in 2012, the first to be built outside of Japan. In 2014, the first European capsule hotel opened in Belgium.
Sydney’s, meanwhile, will open this November and will be built in the space where George St’s Bar Century used to be. In addition to luxury capsules, the hotel will feature a cocktail bar, nightclub, and gaming facilities.
The hotel will include 72 capsules ranging from single-sized to deluxe, with prices ranging from a pretty reasonable $40 to $60. Each capsule will include a large LED screen and entertainment system as well as WiFi.
There’ll also be a communal kitchen, breakfast bar, rooftop terrace, and individual bathrooms. “The heritage building will retain its vintage feel with a vibe of Soho House in London and New York,” Giant Design Consultants told SBS.
“The accommodation which is not quite a hotel nor a hostel is aimed at solo travellers looking for something more private than a typical backpacker’s, and those who want the designer hotel experience on a budget.”
