Sydney has become the first city in Australia to adopt the popular Japanese ‘capsule’ accommodation option with the opening of The Capsule Hotel in the Sydney CBD. Giant Design, the company behind the makeover, said that they were aiming for a middle ground in the project, one unlike any other in the country. “The accommodation which is not quite a hotel nor a hostel is aimed at solo travellers looking for something more private than a typical backpacker’s, and those who want the designer hotel experience on a budget,” the company said in a statement.
The Capsule Hotel is part of a larger complex, featuring two ‘bar’ levels offering a cocktail bar, a nightclub and gaming facilities, while the top three floors will be the accommodation areas. The site was made available at the start of 2016 following the closure of the iconic Bar Century, with owners citing Sydney’s controversial ‘lock out’ laws as contributing to a downturn of business. "Outside the capsules is a little Art Deco like. Gatsby-ish if you squint," said designer Ed Kenny. “It’s like a boutique hotel at a bargain price.” Room prices range between AUD $50 for a single pod and AUD $65 for a double.
