Capsule Hotels Transform the World’s Biggest Cities

Photo: Zedwell

What began as compact sleeping pods for Japanese office workers has evolved into a fast-growing global hospitality movement — and London is now at its forefront. The world’s largest capsule hotel, Zedwell Piccadilly Circus, has opened in central London, offering 1,000 sound-proof, windowless “cocoons” priced from just £30 per night.

The concept is spreading rapidly. Industry insiders believe the next few years will bring a wave of new openings across major cities worldwide, as capsule hotels prove to be affordable, efficient, and surprisingly stylish — appealing to a much broader audience than originally imagined.

What defines a capsule hotel

A capsule hotel provides minimal private space — a sealed pod roughly the size of a mattress — while all other facilities remain communal. Pods are stacked horizontally and vertically, lockable from both sides, and typically include charging ports, Wi-Fi, lighting and ventilation controls.

Modern operators now elevate the experience with Hypnos mattresses, Egyptian cotton and ambient lighting, blending minimalism with comfort.

[h2]Where the concept originated