Yotel, for those who’ve never heard of it, is a London-based micro hotel chain (though they’d really like it if you think of them as “affordable luxury hotels”) that provides travelers with affordable stays in “smart spaces” at cosmopolitan cities around the world like New York City, San Francisco, and Boston. Or if you ever find yourself stranded at London’s Heathrow Airport or the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, feel free to book a room for yourself at the hotel’s establishments there too.
Now, marking its debut in Asia is the newly-opened Yotel Singapore, conveniently located on 366 Orchard Road just next to Shaw Centre. In each of its 610 rooms, Yotel includes elements that you’ll typically find in luxury hotels, all packed into an average room size of 14 sqm to maximise space, reported Channel NewsAsia.
Adding to its tech-driven philosophy is the hotel’s DIY check-in and check-out process, which allows guests to register, collect, and return their room keys at self-service stations in the lobby. As for the rooms, each one features a “technowall” with adjustable mood lighting and smart TVs, as well as a “smartbed” that can easily recline and transform into a couch with the touch of a button.
But if you’re wondering whether all these high-tech details will cost you a substantial chunk of your salary for one night’s stay, the answer is no. While some are compact in design — and a room at Yotel starts from about S$164 (US$121) for the most basic option — others offer extra elements like an overhead bunk to fit an additional person or a balcony with panoramic views of the city.
Of course, if you’re cool with splashing out to get pampered, there’s always the VIP View Suite, where you won’t feel like you’re cramped in a tiny (albeit cosy) room.
Already looking to the future, the hotel chain is set to open its second Yotel in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport in 2019.
