I stayed in London’s cheapest new hotel
POD hotels the latest hotel trend taking over – and another one has just landed in the UK’s capital.
Also known as capsule hotels, Japan started the trend back in the late 1970s.
The main idea? Maximise space at the hotel and cut costs – and for guests this means a cheaper stay.
Otherwander has just opened in the very heart of Soho, approximately 30 seconds away from Oxford Street’s Elizabeth Line entrance.
As far as location goes, you can’t get much better with most of London‘s top spots within walking distance.
Stepping inside, I felt as if I had entered a swanky London office with a huge multicoloured LED screen and clinical white entry gates.
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Before you arrive, Otherwander will send you a text with your pod (or nest as they like to call them) number as well as email you your Wanderpass, which is essentially your key to everything – getting into the hotel, getting into the lift, getting into your dorm and getting into your own nest.
You then use your Wanderpass to get through these gates.
Once on the other side, you’ll find the social area – which for a budget hotel is both surprisingly big and stylish (more on this space later).
To get to the floors with the pods – all 566 of them – you hop in the lift – once again scanning your Wanderpass.
Each floor is separated into different ‘dorms’, each packed with about 40 nests (which makes finding your own feel a little like going on a treasure hunt).
Once I eventually found my dorm and entered, it felt like a corridor of lockers, with the square doors actually being the doors to each nest.
When you book, you can opt between an upper or lower pod; I opted for an upper pod, which feels more like climbing into a UFO.
You can also choose between a double (£80 per night or £40 per person, per night) or a single (£70 per night).
I was surprised to find my upper double not boxy nor claustrophobic, despite being only the width of a standard double bed.
On either side of the bed is a handy elasticated pocket for your phone or book, with a USB and USB-C charging point next to each as well.
Down one side of the bed, you’ll find the air conditioning control system and lighting options including a reading light, night light and even surprise option, mine was colour-changing so ideal for post-club vibes.
You’ll also find a shelf, complete with a strap to secure your backpack or cabin-sized suitcase and three hooks for coats, jackets or towels.
On the other wall, the final feature is a rail with two towels on – though if you want another, you can rent one from a vending machine in the corridor, for £5 a time.
There is also a slight design flaw – a handy ‘wet tray’ is great for your shoes but if you pop your water bottle in its designated slot, you block the door from opening or closing.
As for the bed itself, while it a bit firm, was comfortable and the bedding felt as plush as you get in a more premium hotel.
The pod room didn’t feel stuffy either, despite the small space thanks to a high-tech purifying system too.
As for the door, it self-locks when you shut and on the back there is a small mirror, which was ideal for doing my makeup in the morning, as well as a QR code in case you need to communicate with staff.
If you start to feel a bit claustrophobic, there is a small window in the door with a shutter for privacy.
Being a pod hotel, don’t expect your own private bathroom.
You’ll have to head out to the main corridor on your floor where you’ll find men’s, women’s and mixed-gender bathrooms.
The real test of this came at 3am when I had to crawl out of my pod backwards down the ladder and shuffle to the toilet, awaking all the motion-sensored lights and having to open my phone with blurry eyes, just to scan my Wanderpass to get back in.
The bathrooms do feel like a slice of luxury though, with terrazzo- style tiles lining the sinks and walls and music being played from the ceiling.
Each rain shower has heaps of room, so your items are safe from getting wet and there’s also free soap and shampoo.
Vanity areas are then kitted out with hairdryers and shaving sockets.
If you fancy being social, back downstairs you’ll find the hotel’s ‘guest-exclusive social hub’ with warm yellow lighting adding a glow to the space and complementing the burnt orange modular sofas.
It is the ideal space to hang out with other guests, work or even snuggle into a corner with a book – which you can pick up from shelves around the space.
There are even plans for live DJ drop ins in the future.
Fancy a pint? The back wall features several vending machines full of everything you could possibly want – even Moet champagne.
There are also a couple of coffee machines and if you have forgotten something, there’s even a vending machine with essentials from make- up wipes and deodorant to umbrellas and Uno cards.
If you have bigger luggage you don’t want to store in your nest, there are lockers you can rent on site.
The funky design throughout and clever lighting really does make you feel as if you are in a luxury space ship.
At no point did I feel like I was steps away from the busiest street in the UK as it was completely silent (albeit there were very few guests in my dorm, so this might be different on busier days).
But while the hotel is a huge bargain, the rise of pod hotels in the city means there are other options that pip it to the post when it comes to being the cheapest in the city.
If sharing a double with someone, £40 each isn’t terrible – but £70 for a single pod – which obviously are much smaller – seems rather steep.
Other alternatives in London include a single pod at Zedwell’s Capsule Hotel in Piccadilly for £32, while a double room with an ensuite and breakfast included at Zedwell Soho for £77.
Not only that, but if you have a large suitcase (which many tourists do) the price will increase to pay for it to be stored.
If you fancy the novelty of a pod hotel – go for it – but if you are wanting to save cash, I think you can find better bargains elsewhere.