Post pandemic the travel industry has shown a sign of recovery but that doesn't mean travellers are looking for an exotic holiday package. Rather one has now slightly changed the concept of travelling- be it in terms of food and lodging.
People around the country always have a dream to visit their dream city or can be termed as India's financial capital or the Bollywood 'Maghanagar' Mumbai.
However, staying in Mumbai is not that cheap until the advent of the Low Budget fuelled "Capsule Hotel".
Capsule hotel, which is also known as a pod hotel in other parts of the world was originally developed in Japan and features small bed-sized rooms in the shape of a capsule.
To the rescue of the commoners, Capsule hotels provide cheap, basic overnight accommodation for guests who do not require or who cannot afford larger, more expensive rooms offered by more conventional hotels.
It is to be mentioned there that the first capsule hotel in the world opened in 1979 and was the Capsule Inn Osaka, located in the Umeda district of Osaka, Japan and designed by Kisho Kurokawa.
From there, it spread to other cities within Japan. Since then, the concept has further spread to various other territories, including Belgium, China, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Poland and eventually in India.
The guest room is a chamber roughly the length and width of a single bed, with sufficient height for a hotel guest to crawl in and sit up on the bed. The chamber walls may be made of wood, metal or any rigid material, but are often fibreglass or plastic. Amenities within the room generally include a small television, air conditioning, an electronic console, and power sockets. The capsules are stacked side-by-side, two units high, with steps or ladders providing access to the second level rooms, similar to bunk beds. The open end of the capsule can be closed with a curtain or a solid door for privacy, but can be locked from the inside only.
Expect to pay between Rs 999 and 1,999/night, although keep in mind that prices might be higher during peak tourist seasons. Within India, capsule hotels are popular among business travellers on a budget or people who missed the last train home and need a place to rest for a few hours!
You can choose from 2 capsule hotels in India. To help you pick the best one that's right for you.
In India, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) awarded the contract to M/s Urban Pod Pvt Ltd to Set-up, Operate and Manage the POD concept of Retiring Rooms for 9 years through an Open tender basis.
The site is located on the 1st Floor of the Station Building at Mumbai Central Railway Station.
The POD rooms have been spread across an area of approx. 3000 sq. ft. with a mezzanine floor. The site was handed over to the Developer on 21st February 2021, and despite the vagaries inflicted by the second wave of Covid Pandemic, the Pod Concept Retiring Rooms are scheduled for commissioning by end of October 2021.
Yes, there are no private bathrooms, only the communal shower room. There are some Capsule Hotels which provide sauna, as well. Guests need to leave their shoes in the allocated lockers and move around in the hotel slippers.
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