Capsule hotel 258839 224654051 2008-07-09T20:48:51Z 82.2.134.96 /* Description */ [[Image:CapsuleHotel.jpg|thumb|Capsules in Osaka]] [[Image:CapsuleHotelCapsule.jpg|thumb|View in a capsule, with TV in the upper left corner]] A {{nihongo|'''capsule hotel'''|カプセルホテル|kapuseru hoteru}} is a hotel system of extremely [[dense]] occupancy. ==Description== The guest space is reduced in size to a modular plastic or [[fibreglass]] block roughly 2 [[Metre|m]] by 1 m by 1.25 m, providing room to sleep. Facilities range in entertainment offerings (most include a television, an electronic console, and wireless internet connection). These capsules are stacked side by side and two units top to bottom, with steps providing access to the second level rooms. Luggage is stored in a locker, usually somewhere outside of the hotel. Privacy is ensured by a curtain or a fibreglass door at the open end of the capsule. Washrooms are communal and most hotels include restaurants, or at least [[vending machine]]s, pools, and other entertainment facilities. This style of hotel accommodation was developed in Japan and has not gained popularity outside of the country, although Western variants with larger accommodations and often private baths are being developed (such as the [http://www.stayorange.com StayOrange.com Hotel], [http://www.yotel.com Yotel] the [http://www.pickwickarms.com Pod Hotel], and [http://www.citizenm.com citizenM] in [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[London]], [[New York]] and [[Amsterdam]] respectively). Guests are asked not to smoke or eat in the capsules.<ref>Solomon, Leonard (1997). ''Japan in a Nutshell''. Top Hat Press, 115-166. ISBN 0912509066.</ref> These capsule hotels vary widely in size, some having only fifty or so capsules and others over 700. Many are used primarily by men<ref>[http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2025.html#capsule Accommodation in Japan<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. There are also capsule hotels with separate male and female sleeping quarters. Clothes and shoes are sometimes exchanged for a [[yukata]] and slippers on entry. A towel may also be provided. The benefit of these hotels is convenience and price, usually around [[Yen|¥]]2000-4000 a night ([[United States dollar|$]]16–34, [[Euro|€]]21-29, [[Pound sterling|£]]10–20). Most roomers are businessmen too tired or far away to make the trip home. Others (especially on weekdays) are too inebriated to safely travel to their homes, or too embarrassed to face their spouses.<ref>Wardell, Steven (October 1994), "Capsule cure". ''Atlantic Monthly''. '''274''' (4):42-47</ref> ==History== The first capsule hotel was the Capsule Inn Osaka, designed by [[Kisho Kurokawa]] and located in the [[Umeda]] district of [[Osaka]]. It opened on [[February 1]], [[1979]] and the initial room rate was ¥1,600. ==See also== * [[Love hotel]] * [[List of types of lodging]] * [[Ryokan (inn)|Ryokan]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.itravelnet.com/blog/2007/04/staying-in-japanese-capsule-hotel.html Staying in a Japanese capsule hotel. ] *[http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4032926.html Pod Hotel Coming to Europe] *[http://www.yesicanusechopsticks.com/capsule/ All about capsule hotels] *[http://www.citizenm.com/press.php?rssid=9683cc5f89562ea48e72bb321d9f03fb Philips involved in building pre-fab hotel rooms in Europe] [[Category:Hotel types]] [[Category:Hotels in Japan]] [[de:Kapselhotel]] [[fr:Hôtel capsule]] [[is:Hylkjahótel]] [[it:Hotel a capsule]] [[nl:Capsulehotel]] [[ja:カプセルホテル]] [[pl:Hotel kapsułowy]] [[fi:Kapselihotelli]] [[zh:膠囊酒店]]