An economical traveler is always looking for affordable accommodation, but not at the expense of comfort. For this category of people, capsule hotels can be an ideal option.
What is a capsule hotel?
Japan is the homeland of capsule hotels (Jap. Kapuseru Hoteru). They are a system of cozy single sleeping cubicle cells located in several rows and having limited space.
Each such cubicle, measuring, as a rule, 2x1x1 meter, is a personal "room" of a hotel guest. In it, he can only be in two positions: lying or sitting. Meanwhile, in such a capsule equipped with heating and air conditioning systems, there is not only a bed, but also:
- lamp;
- socket;
- alarm clock;
- television.
All other amenities are located outside the personal "room":
- shower and toilet on the floor;
- special luggage boxes near sleeping cells;
- restroom;
- eating area with microwave and fridge.
History of occurrence
The first capsule hotel opened in Osaka in February 1979. Its author was the world famous architect Kise Kurokawa (b. 1934).
Soon, hotels with capsule rooms began to appear in many cities in Japan. As a rule, these unusual complexes open in the areas of stations or airports. Thrifty tourists and the local population began to actively use their services when detained at work or at a club.
The capsule hotel has spread not only in the Land of the Rising Sun, but also in other countries, including Russia.
Benefits
- The cost of accommodation. $ 20-60 is a small fee compared to other hotels for the opportunity to get an individual sleeping place, closed from prying eyes, with clean linens and a bathroom on the floor.
- Hourly payment.
- Convenience. For local residents, a capsule hotel can become a real lifesaver if you are late for the last transport or if you cannot drive your own car.
- Time saving. For nonresident residents, such a hotel will be relevant on a business trip or a tourist trip, as it is located near stations and airports.
disadvantages
- Limited space. Such a “number” can be cramped with a large person and is not very comfortable for a person who loves freedom of action or suffers from claustrophobia.
- Soundproofing. The partitions between the “rooms” of the capsule hotel are made of sufficiently thin material, therefore, while relaxing in your cell, you can hear extraneous sounds from the corridor or neighboring booths.
- Hygiene. Bathrooms, including toilets, showers and washbasins, are shared.
Five interesting facts about Japan capsule hotels
Fact 1. Only men can become guests of most capsule hotels, as women are considered a source of excessive noise and fuss. Meanwhile, some hotels are ready to accommodate women, separate floors and sometimes even elevators stand out for them. People of the opposite sex can only meet at the reception or in a common room intended for relaxation.
Fact 2. Hotel guests leave their street shoes at the entrance to the hall. For the safety of shoes there are individual lockers that are locked.
Fact 3. Smoking is not allowed in capsule hotels.
Fact 4.The largest capsule hotel Green Plaza Shinjuku is located in Tokyo, next to Seibu Train Station. It has 660 cells measuring 1x2x1 meters.
Fact 5. The most beautiful capsule hotel 9 hours located in Kyoto. It is based on the formula of the necessary and sufficient time spent at the hotel: 1 hour for water procedures + 7 hours for sleep + 1 hour for food.
Japanese Capsule Stay Reviews
Japan is a country of high technology, and many travelers arriving here include in their excursion program a capsule hotel, reviews of which they read or heard about in their homeland.
In fact, it turns out that the capsule room, although it looks tiny, has everything you need for a comfortable stay: a cozy sleeping place, a TV, a radio, an alarm clock and even wireless Internet. All equipment and a control panel are built into the surface of the ceiling and walls, which does not interfere with a person at all, but makes them easy to use. Almost everything is good in the hotel, except for audibility. She is simply incredible here.
Tourists compare their feelings in the “room” with a trip on the second shelf of the reserved seat in the passenger train, but with high-quality bedding and good equipment.
European capsule hotel
The capsule hotel in the European version is not only an institution that provides visitors with overnight accommodation, but also a budget hotel with small rooms, each of which can accommodate several people. As a rule, inside a room resembling a compartment in a train, a visitor can be at full height.
For example, at the airport in Dubai and Munich, a room in a capsule hotel is a small room with a full berth and a small free space nearby. In Helsinki, instead of a bed in a lockable individual cell, folding chairs are installed and there is space for luggage.
Capsule hotels in Russia. Air Express Hotel
It must be said right away that Japanese capsule hotels, photos of which are familiar to many, have nothing to do with the Sheremetyevo hotel.
She is a truly European version of the capsule hotel, which was opened in 2009 on the fifth floor of the Aeroexpress terminal at Sheremetyevo Airport. The institution resembles a traditional budget hotel, consisting of 66 cabins ranging in size from 7.5 to 22 square meters with amenities: bathrooms with a toilet, shower and sink, telephone and even internet.
Half of the rooms have windows with breathtaking views of the surrounding airport. Some rooms do not have windows, but their interior, decorated in bright colors, allows you not to narrow the space.
The capsule hotel "Air Express" is designed primarily for passengers who need several hours of peace of mind to recover before or after the flight.
The hotel is equipped with a reliable security system: all room doors are locked with electronic locks, keys for which are programmed individually for each guest.
Capsule hotel (Sheremetyevo) "Air Express" has several advantages over other hotels:
- convenient location in the airport terminal;
- the optimal range of services for a comfortable short rest;
- hourly payment after 4 hours of stay.
Reviews about the hotel "Air Express"
All hotel guests in their reviews fully confirm the description of the hotel presented in the tourist catalogs, but also agree that with a rather modest service, poor sound insulation and a small room area, the price of the room is extremely high.
On the territory of Moscow for such money, guests write, you can find a more decent hotel, but when there is a short break between connecting flights and you want to relax, the Air Express hotel is almost the only alternative to the waiting room.
Mobile hotel on wheels
In addition to traditional stationary hotels in the West, a capsule hotel on wheels has long been used. It can be transported, installation in a new location with an option of 20-30 rooms takes an average of 3-4 days.
Mobile hotels on wheels fully meet the requirements of a modern person:
- television;
- shower;
- air conditioning;
- the Internet.
Most often they are used to organize extra beds during various events.
Whether or not to stay in a capsule hotel is a private matter for everyone, but at least once in your life it might be worth a try.
