I stayed in a $40 capsule hotel as return to office mandates drive workers back to the city
RTO mandates has workers who don't live in cities scrambling to find inexpensive ways of staying in the city without resorting to hostels.
TL;DR
- Zedwell Capsule Hotel, inspired by Japanese design, has opened in London, offering small sleeping pods for approximately £30 per night.
- The hotel aims to fill a market gap between budget hostels and more expensive accommodation, addressing the needs of workers facing return-to-office mandates.
- Many professionals who moved out of London during remote work flexibility are now returning to the city for work and seeking affordable lodging options.
- The high cost of London living and commuting makes capsule hotels a more appealing alternative to traditional hotels or hostels for hybrid workers.
- Zedwell offers nearly 1,000 capsules, each measuring 1m x 1m x 2m, with basic amenities and shared facilities, though some areas are still under construction.
- The trend of remote work leading to population shifts away from London is reversing as companies enforce return-to-office policies.