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YOTEL opens its first hotel in Japan today

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It is now 17 years ago that YOTEL brought its Japanese-inspired capsule hotel concept to Gatwick airport.

Since then the chain has grown and developed into three different YOTEL brands: YOTELAIR, YOTEL and YOTELPAD. You can read our pre-opening review of the new YOTELPAD London Stratford here.

Today the company goes full circle with its first opening in Japan – YOTEL Tokyo Ginza.

Yotel Tokyo Ginza

YOTEL Tokyo Ginza is a new-build 244 room hotel with a prime position in central Ginza, the core dining and shopping district. It is described as a fifteen minute walk from Tokyo station which links you to the bullet trains and Narita airport.

This launch is YOTEL’s third hotel in Asia, following the opening of YOTEL Singapore in 2017 and YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport in 2019. Asia and the Middle East is now the focus for new openings with hotels planned for Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Saudi Arabia’s new city of NEOM.

YOTELs tend to work well for families or small groups who want lower cost accommodation, and YOTEL Tokyo Ginza includes bunk triple and family connected options. Standard room features include YOTEL’s signature SmartBeds (which convert from a bed to a sofa), high speed WiFi, wireless charging and rain showers with Urban Jungle amenities.

Yotel Tokyo Ginza 1

Intriguingly, YOTEL is promising ‘robot crew’ who will be on hand to deliver water and extra towels to any room (apparently these are already in place in the Boston and Singapore hotels). Check-in will also be self service as is standard for the brand. Dining will be at the 45-seat bar and restaurant, Komyuniti – it’s not clear if humans or robots will be serving here …. There is also a 24/7 hotel gym.

Hubert Viriot, CEO at YOTEL, said:

“We’re delighted to be launching YOTEL in Tokyo this December. Not only do we have a brilliant hotel in a prime location in one of the world’s greatest cities, we’re also excited to be opening in a destination that shares our commitment to innovation, smart design and the creative use of technology. It’s the perfect location for our new flagship property”

Unfortunately YOTEL no longer offers airline miles when you stay. It has historically had partnerships with Virgin Atlantic and Air France KLM amongst others. You can, however, save 10% on bookings by signing up for the free YOTEL Club.

You can find out more about YOTEL Tokyo Ginza on its website here.


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Comments (9)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • George says:

    I’ve used the one in Gatwick and it reminded me of a scene from Taken.

  • danimal says:

    Seems slightly odd entering an already saturated market for capsule/robot hotels in Tokyo.

    Last one I stayed in had animatronic receptionists and despite the room being TINY it had an electronic clothes refreshing wardrobe the size of a fridge-freezer.

    https://group.hennnahotel.com/

    • Lumma says:

      It’s nothing like a capsule hotel and I never understand why HfP always say that it is

      • Callum says:

        I agree they’re absolutely nothing whatsoever alike, but in their defence, I think Yotel do (or at least did) regularly say they were inspired by capsule hotels. Given I can’t imagine anyone writing here (or the audience they want to target) ever setting foot in one, I can see where the confusion arises from!

        (For others unsure of the difference, it’s like calling Holiday Inn a youth hostel – yes they’re both in the budget space, but a private ensuite is obviously a completely different prospect to a bunk bed in a room full of strangers!)

  • Bagoly says:

    At BER last week I saw a new (to me) entrant to the airport pod sector: https://www.napcabs.com/
    Currently only FRA, MUC and BER, but open to expansion.
    The landside ones seem to me as a customer to have a limited market – 8 hours costs the same as hotels in walking distance which include bathroom and sleep two.
    But I can see the logic for the airside ones.

  • Dave says:

    Must admit I quite like Ginza – first time in Tokyo I stayed in Shinjuku and I think next time I’d want somewhere a bit quieter!

  • danimal says:

    But even relatively upmarket hotels are pretty small, so I am wondering what market / price-point they are aiming at. Comparing prices for a random w/d in January the Yotel Ginza is twice the price of the Henn-na Ginza.

    My point is they offer a great budget experience in Europe – but the Japan market is entirely different.

  • Max says:

    I hope they are still working on their ‘Tokyo Ginza’ website as I cant imagine anyone in their right mind paying £696 per night! I’m going to Tokyo next Nov and just checked their rates….to find out that the smallest and cheapest room (14 sm!) comes to £3,374 for 4 nights stay! Laughing out loud as I type….

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