Staying in a Japanese capsule hotel has been high on our bucket list for a long time. And that wish unexpectedly came true in Mexico. While looking for a hotel on Isla Mujeres we came across a new Japanese capsule hotel and we did not pass on that opportunity…
Our first experience with a capsule hotel was in Cancun, the Yellow Capsule. We even slept for 4 nights here because we liked it so much!
What is a capsule hotel?
Capsule hotels were originally invented in Osaka, Japan, in 1979 to provide businessmen with cheap and convenient accommodation for the night. Nowadays you can also find capsule hotels outside of Japan and you will find travelers there as well. The capsules consist of a space of 2 meters long by 1 meter wide and high. The entire space is covered with a mattress and is closed off with a door or sometimes a blind. The capsules are stacked on top of and next to each other. This way you can accommodate many people and everyone has privacy in their own room. And on top of that, the prices of a capsule hotel are cheaper than normal hotels.
The capsules are nowadays very trendy and often equipped with everything you need, such as air conditioning, (USB) charging points, clock radio, WiFi, TV, and a reading lamp. A lot of effort is also put into making the whole hotel look stylish, making it a unique and inexpensive place to sleep, #bucketlist!
In addition to the capsule, you also get your own locker in the common room for your suitcase or bag. The size of this locker can sometimes be too small for your large suitcase. And there will be shower facilities where men and women are separated. Space may be small, but you do get in return for a friendly price a very unique experience and you´ll have everything in reach for a pretty nice stay.
ps; if you are heavier than 240 pounds / 110kg, then consider not sleeping here. The mattress is pretty thin…
p.s.s; If you are someone who snores, please don´t ever book a hostel or capsule where people sleep in one big community room. These capsules are not soundproof, and we hear you snore like a wild beast from afar.
How does a capsule hotel work?
Upon entering you will receive a pass for your locker and one for your capsule. First of all, you go to your locker to store your bag or suitcase, which of course does not fit in your capsule. You will be asked to store your shoes here as well and continue entering the hotel wearing slippers or socks, as is very common in Japan. The locker room will be a communal space and you will most likely also find separate shower facilities.
Pro-tip: It is useful to fill a small bag with the things you may still need in your capsule, so you don't have to keep walking back and forward to your locker and capsule.
After that, you go to your capsule that you can open with your card. There are capsules for 1 person as well as for couples. And there is a separate section for women only. If you have the top capsule, you can enter it through a small staircase. The sleeping cabins are just as big as you need, you can sit upright in them, and they are equipped with everything you need. You are not supposed to eat or make noise inside the capsule so that everyone can enjoy their night's sleep.
Our experience
Spoiler alert… we liked it so much! In the end, we even slept here for four consecutive nights instead of just one.
We slept in a new sci-fi capsule hotel in a two-person capsule. It was super clean, quiet and the room with the capsules were so dark you could sleep very well. We didn't think the capsules were claustrophobic, and we loved this unique and futuristic experience! In the shower and locker room, we smelled soothing oils that were enhanced by relaxing spa sounds. The lockers were big enough so that our large suitcase fitted perfectly.
Our hotel, Yellow Capsule, also had a co-working space with super-fast WiFi, a nice roof terrace, and a lounge area with unlimited coffee, tea, water, juices, and tableware. We were able to do a lot of work on our laptops!
We highly recommend experiencing this unique hotel-style yourself. Especially when it comes to a one-night stay or when you are not going to make much use of the hotel facilities.
Why should you stay in a capsule hotel
>> First of all, it is a unique experience, especially since the newer capsule hotels are almost otherworldly. A must-do to cross off your travel bucket list!
>> Capsule hotels are a lot cheaper than normal hotels because they are intended for short stays.
>> And if you outside the hotel a lot and make little or no use of the hotel's facilities, it is a fair price.
>> Because you share the hotel facilities with fellow travelers, you can easily meet other Freebirds. Hello/Hola/Konichiwa…
>> Capsule hotels are a trendy concept. You will come across many new hotels that are often still cheaper than normal hotels but have more facilities. Such as co-working spaces or a lounge or bar.
Book your stay in a capsule hotel here
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