Article: I Slept In An Airport Capsule Hotel: Here’s What It’s Like

[AFF Editor]

Canonical URL

https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/airport-capsule-hotel-sleep-pods/

I Slept In An Airport Capsule Hotel: Here’s What It’s Like is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

I Slept In An Airport Capsule Hotel: Here's What It's Like

Capsule hotels and sleep pods are popping up in more and more airports around the world. Are they a practical way to get some proper rest between flights, or overrated?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[stump]

Thats good value..I transit through Singapore with 6 hours over $300. Its put me of transiting .

 

[Quickstatus]

Looks bigger than a real capsule?

 

[oz_ally]

Slightly different but kinda the same - back in 2010 when myself and 2 teenage kids were coming back from the UK we had to be out of our hotel by whatever time in the morning it was, but our flight back to Australia wasn't until 10 or 11 pm so I'd researched and found out about Yotels in Heathrow.

I booked 2 rooms - one for me and daughter and one for son (keep the kids separate!!) I think I had to book minimum 4 hours. So that's what I did. They were surprisingly good rooms - look similar to what those capsules are but more self contained - they had their own toilets and showers. We were there in the day time so didn't have to worry about being woken up etc. It had wifi and tv etc.

You could also order food to be brought to you. I've just looked back at my Money program (yes I still use my old Microsoft Money 2002). I can see in November 2010 I had 2 charges for Yotel - I paid $93.22 for the two rooms and I have another charge of $8.09 (AUD) because my son ordered food. Pretty cheap for the 2 rooms. But yes that was 16 years ago!!

It was well worth it to have somewhere private to hang out with the kids for a few hours. Plus keep them apart for a while! I had no status so no lounges for us. It was a busy airport and I recall after our Yotel time was up we still had a few more hours to kill and it was hard to find a nice spot to sit and we got kicked out of various spots because it was paying customers only (they were the only free seats - near eateries). We didn't realise this until we were unceremoniously told to move!

 

[moa999]

Thats good value..I transit through Singapore

Yes the SIN airside rooms (slightly bigger than these capsules) have become ridiculously expensive for what they are. Sometimes the Crowne Plaza is cheaper.

ICN which has both landside and airside offerings is much better value.

 

[kpc]

I dont understand...you paid A$140 for 15 hours on arrival at Kul....then headed to city next morning?

Imo, that is rather expensive....earlier this year I stayed at a proper hotel room in town (Four Points in Chinatown) for around A$100....just an express train to Sentral, they 1 stop by Lrt or Grab away. If you had a flight the next morning I can understand but if you are heading into the city next am, I would stay in a proper hotel room in the city

 

[markis10]

dont understand...you paid A$140 for 15 hours on arrival at Kul....then headed to city next morning?

Agree, that’s what you will pay for LM or the conjoined Hilton at Sentral, 5 minute walk on exiting the train.

 

[serfty]

I Slept In An Airport Capsule Hotel: Here’s What It’s Like is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

I Slept In An Airport Capsule Hotel: Here's What It's Like

Capsule hotels and sleep pods are popping up in more and more airports around the world. Are they a practical way to get some proper rest between flights, or overrated?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

Thanks for taking one for the team.

As a contrast, I have used the Aerotel at KLIA2, a bit more inconvenient in having to get there from KLIA1 (Free bus or MYR3 by Ekspres) with rates such as from under MYR200 (AUD70) for 6 hours solo room or or MYR450 for an overnight double (3pm-Noon).

 

[Austman]

I Slept In An Airport Capsule Hotel: Here’s What It’s Like is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

I Slept In An Airport Capsule Hotel: Here's What It's Like

Capsule hotels and sleep pods are popping up in more and more airports around the world. Are they a practical way to get some proper rest between flights, or overrated?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

Agree thanks for taking one for the team.

As a contrast, I stayed at the KLIA2 connected but landside Tune hotel for AUD$85.00 for the whole night. Not the best hotel in the word but surprisingly better than expected. A proper bed. A proper bathroom. A proper bar and restaurant. An outdoor food and drink court. And even a coin laundry!

And there are free bus transfers between KLIA1 and KLIA2.

 

[Scarlett]

What is the luggage situation like @AffEditor @Mattg?

I’ve never stayed in one but had only ever really considered it an option during an airside transit, mostly because, if land-side, I’d have luggage.

You mention lockers, but how big are they (one full size suitcase?) and how secure would you consider them?

 

[mandolino]

I've stayed before in the Sama Sama Express Airside in KLIA2 (not to be confused with Sama Sama landside). It was a few years ago but they still seem to be there in both airports. Price was favourably comparable with the capsule and although tiny, they have private bathrooms and a bit of room to move.

 

[WilsonM]

There's a capsule hotel a 3 min walk from ZRH that is about $100 for a night - very hostel coded, with a reception operated by bar staff. But it does the trick, and is about $200 cheaper than anything else walking distance from the airport.

Honestly, would highly recommend - especially in that hotel market.

 

[markis10]

There's a capsule hotel a 3 min walk from ZRH that is about $100 for a night - very hostel coded, with a reception operated by bar staff. But it does the trick, and is about $200 cheaper than anything else walking distance from the airport.

Honestly, would highly recommend - especially in that hotel market.

Now you tell me having paid $450 for the Hilton a few weeks back!

 

[Mattg]

Looks bigger than a real capsule?

Yes, a bit more spacious - and the mattress was a lot more comfortable than the average Japanese capsule hotel. YMMV, of course.

I dont understand...you paid A$140 for 15 hours on arrival at Kul....then headed to city next morning?

Imo, that is rather expensive....earlier this year I stayed at a proper hotel room in town (Four Points in Chinatown) for around A$100....just an express train to Sentral, they 1 stop by Lrt or Grab away. If you had a flight the next morning I can understand but if you are heading into the city next am, I would stay in a proper hotel room in the city

I was originally going to book for 8-10 hours, but once you pay for 10 hours, you can actually add on more hours - up to 24 hours - at no extra charge. So, I figured I might as well just book for 15 hours. I didn't end up needing all of that time but I didn't really pay more for that.

Yes, as you say, you can stay in a real hotel in the city for about the same price or less in KL. I mainly booked the airport capsule hotel because I wanted to see what it's like, and I did value the convenience not having to spend an hour getting into the city after a late-night arrival.

I think the real value with a place like this is if you want somewhere at the airport to nap (with access to a shower as well) for 3-6 hours.

What is the luggage situation like @AffEditor @Mattg?

I’ve never stayed in one but had only ever really considered it an option during an airside transit, mostly because, if land-side, I’d have luggage.

You mention lockers, but how big are they (one full size suitcase?) and how secure would you consider them?

The locker was just big enough to fit my full-sized suitcase. There was also space for my backpack etc.

The locker seemed fairly secure. You set your own four-digit code to lock/open it.

If you have oversize luggage that doesn't fit in the locker, you can leave it near the reception. There is ostensibly a staff member there all the time to keep an eye on it, but I did notice the front desk unattended a few times. They don't allow luggage inside the capsules.