Japanese-style capsule hotels making a splash in KL

The inside view of a capsule hotel along Jalan Pahang. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Small, safe and cheap: single-occupant capsule rooms are becoming increasingly popular among college students, travellers and even women looking to avoid trouble at home.

Stacked one on top of another, the tiny pods which originate from Japan come equipped with a USB port, television, radio and mirror.

Dennis Lim, a member of the Budget Hotel Association, said capsule hotels are a hit in Kuala Lumpur among those seeking privacy and cheaper stays.

He said out-of-town students often opt to stay at these hotels, as well as women who face problems with their family or husband.

“Women find it safe, and it is cheap,” he added.

He recalled a woman who stayed for two months at his hotel. “She worked during the day and used the pod to sleep at night. She went back after settling her problems with her spouse,” he told FMT.

Lim’s hotel has 100 capsule rooms and on a normal day, at least 40 are occupied. Occupancy increases on weekends and holidays.

He was unable to say how many such hotels there are in the country, as according to him, not all are registered with the association.

A Google check showed that rooms in some capsule hotels in the city centre cost RM25 to RM75 per night.

Each room comes equipped with a television and USB port. (Facebook pic)

Traditionally, those on a budget book into dormitories that offer many beds in a large room. But these lack privacy and safety, especially for women.

Lim said women find capsule hotels safer as they offer privacy and the doors are only accessible with special cards.

Students, especially those from other states, are booking into these rooms during school holidays as well, Lim said. Schools also book three- to four-day stays at capsule hotels for students taking part in competitions.

“They like it because it is within the city and accessible by public transport. It is cheap and they have TV and USB ports,” he added.

Lim said the rooms are normally connected to centralised air conditioners which guests can either shut off or adjust according to their preference.

Capsule hotels were first developed in Japan to provide basic accommodation for travellers who were unable to afford a traditional hotel.

The first one opened in Osaka in 1979. Their popularity quickly spread – there are now capsule hotels across the globe in countries such as China, Belgium, Iceland and Mexico.

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) may soon be building micro homes based on the concept of capsule hotels, to be rented out to unmarried working adults in the low-income B40 category, according to the mayor.

Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan also said in January that DBKL plans to launch the first capsule hotel project at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur, which is expected to be operational this year.

He said these homes would cater to singles from the low-income group who had just started working. He also said the building would have 200 rooms, to be rented out at RM100 per month to each person with applications made online. However, no cooking will be allowed. - FMT