BOARD GAME

Moscow, Russia

Helsinki, Finland

Seoul, South Korea

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Bangkok, Thailand

New York, USA

Philadelphia, USA

London, UK

The game of

Singapore

CAPSULE HOTELS

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Taipei, Taiwan

How to play

TILES AND HOUSES

Hong Kong

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Tokyo, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Osaka, Japan

Paris, France

Naples, Italy

Milan, Italy

Munich, Germany

GO

1st capsule hotel, 1979

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Getting better sleep before and during trips was considered the top priority out of all factors (which included more exercise, more convenient hotels and using less personal time on trips).Lack of sleep and too many nights away from home were given as the top reasons for traveller burnout, and 68% felt that sleep quality is important to the overall success of the work trip. Whether travellers want to stop for a shower or a light rest, sleep pods or capsule hotels are providing solutions to these needs at airports. With the global airport sleeping pods market estimated to grow by 7% between 2024 and 2026 it is no wonder that the presence of these private spaces is increasing at airports.

They typically offer individual sleeping capsules with basic bedding, shared facilities for socializing and personal care, locker storage, internet access, and sometimes a cafeteria or snack area. Many operate 24/7 with secure access systems, luggage storage, and assistance from multilingual staff. Additional amenities may include towels, bathrobes, and themed designs, varying in comfort and services.

Guests need to leave their shoes in the allocated lockers and move around in the hotel slippers. Of course, you are familiar with the Japanese custom of removing your shoes at the door.

Shoes

The capsule’s dimensions are usually 1.2m wide, 2m long, and 1m high. So, they are not exactly suitable for standing or squatting.

Dimension

Instead of rooms on both sides of the corridor, bed-sized capsules are stacked on top of each other, side by side .

Spaces

In the summer of 2019, the first pod hostel, Optimi Rooms, opened in the center of the Basque city of Bilbao, a few minutes from the bus station, with an initial investment of €400,000. Two years on, a night in Optimi Rooms, costs €27 for a single pod and €38 for a double. The capsules come with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a coffee maker, while the walls of the pod itself are made from a combination of glass and ABS panel boards that seal the guest off from the outside world. Optimi Rooms has a total of 48 capsules with a capacity for 60 people.

Osaka, Japan

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The very first Capsule Hotel opened in Osaka in 1979, and it was designed by non-other than Kisho Kurokawa. The Osaka Capsule Inn is still active and is, actually, considered one of the best capsule hotels in Japan.

The story

WHAT ARE CAPSULE HOTELS?

• form of accomodations which have their start in Japan in 1970s

• Provide small, pod-like sleeping spaces

• Each capsule includes a bed, minimal storage and sometimes a small entertainment system

• Guest have access to shared facilities (bathrooms, communal areas)

No locks

With no solid doors, it’s easy to hear people walking, moving, even snoring in neighbouring capsules. That said, capsule hotels are designed specifically for sleeping, so hopefully your neighbours are just as keen for a good (and quiet!) night’s sleep as you are. Bring some earplugs if you’re worried!

Noise level

The lack of private space is balanced out with plenty of communal areas. Like hostels, there’s a lovely sense of community available in capsule hotels. But you don’t have to take advantage of this, of course. If you’re simply after a rest then head straight to your capsule and bed down.

Sociable

Due to Japan’s hotel laws, individual hotel rooms can’t have locks on their doors – and neither can a sleep capsule. Though you’ll have a curtain, blind, or a small door, there isn’t a way to lock your pod. But don’t worry: secure baggage storage and lockers are provided for each guest, along with shoe lockers on arrival.

Interesting facts

• Instead of rooms on both sides of the corridor, bed-sized capsules are stacked on top of each other, side by side, in Capsule Hotels.
• The capsule’s dimensions are usually 1.2m wide, 2m long, and 1m high. So, they are not exactly suitable for standing or squatting.
• The Capsule may have, besides the bed, a hanging TV, suitable to watch in a sleeping position, Wi-Fi, mirrors, small drawers, and alarm clocks.
• Capsules, mostly, have no lockers attached. Individual lockers for guests to keep their stuff are usually placed in a separate zone, and they are not that roomy.
• There are no private bathrooms, only the communal shower room. There are some Capsule Hotels which provide sauna, as well.

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As there’s obviously no space for a shower inside a capsule, the pod hotel solution is to provide shared facilities like bathrooms and showers. These are kept studiously clean, and usually there’s complimentary towels, soap, and shampoo for guests too. Some capsule hotels have communal baths as well – Japanese bathing culture making itself known!

Shared Bathroom

Capsule hotels, originally, targeted out-of-town businessmen who are in need of a one-night stay or who have missed the last train for the day. However, some hotels, now, are offering accommodation for females too, in separate floors assigned for them.

As the capsules don’t lock, these hotels normally have separate floors for men and women, allowing for both the bedrooms and communal bathrooms to be single-gendered.

Gender

Business

Compared to the standard cost of hotel rooms in Japan, capsule hotels are pretty cheap. You’ll usually see a pod priced at 2000 to 5000 yen per night ($15 to $35 USD) though they’ll be more expensive during peak traveling season.