This place is one of those you have to know what you're getting into propositions. I recommend it…read more I would stay there again. I write to ensure others have a sense of what it is like. Consider this a positive review.
This is, as advertised, a capsule hotel. If you don't know what that is, it originated in Japan, apparently for drunk salarymen to sleep it off after they missed the last subway. I'm not sure if that's true, but it is what I have been told. You have your own bed in a bunk situation, separated from the common space by a heavy felt curtain secured by magnets. The space is tall enough to sit up in, but you can only change clothes in a contorted manner. The bathroom (two sinks, two showers, two toilets) are common space. Hot water is hot and high pressure (relying on AC excess heat). There are lockers, as at a railway station (at least in movies), for your stuff -- if you went to high school in America, imagine a compartment about 2.5x the size. They have an electronic control, with a keypad your program. Mine had a glitch, probably due to my fault (I messed up the code and it timed out), but they assigned another that was fine. A thoughtful touch is the power outlet inside, so you can lock a laptop in there while you are out and about.
It's a hipster monastery. Everyone is totally silent. I don't think that is required but it is encouraged. So you move around among strangers and just nod at people.
They emphasize the environmentally sound, minimalist, start-up chic of the place. It exudes design. The display showing time and temperature on a tall glass monitor; the humidifier; even the soap dispenser all are meant to be unified in the aesthetic. There are thoughtful touches such as a handhold to grab when exiting the bottom bunk. I did bonk my head once, also wholly my carelessness. The whole place is tiny, with only eight compartments in a space that could not be larger than a two car garage.
I probably am not the demographic they are looking for. I imagine this is for the adventuresome, the frugal, the young, or those who are combination. I suppose I have enough curiosity and cheapness to be attracted to the option. If you are worried about robbers, murderers, or just not comfortable with other people moving around in a shared space so small you cannot pass someone else in what can't even be called a hallway, then don't bother reading further. They do have security cameras installed.
If are interested, there are various subtleties. First of all, you have to be able to find the place. The street address doesn't correlate to where it is relative to the other numbers, because it is up some stairs, then down in the basement of a building. Go to approximately where your GPS says, then walk further down the street (five meters), turn left to head up some steps, then look for the entryway on the left. There is a black concrete bench, also with the same aesthetic, on the right. The proprietors hang out there. Then, you have to be able to enter. The QR code is sent to your phone. I had to lock the orientation and I was committing user error in my first attempts, because the phone has to be held at the level of a line on the wall (duh) and not right on top of the reader.
They have at least one deaf staff person -- that is a big plus to me, since it shows their inclusion. They also figure the guy will fit in, since they want quiet, and he isn't going to be talking. He mimed everything. I know a bit of ASL, so I figured he was deaf; however, no point using ASL, since he only uses CSL.
I spent two nights there. By plan, I then went to a luxury hotel. The price total was equivalent to three nights at a budget place. I'd say it was a worthwhile tradeoff. I'm glad I tried it.
