What is being promoted as a revolutionary new concept, a 46-cabin hotel has been launched at London's Gatwick Airport. The Yotel has been conceived by YO! founder Simon Woodroffe after he was upgraded to First Class on a flight. He decided to translate the language of luxury airline travel and Japanese capsule hotels into a small but luxurious cabin. The company’s CEO, Gerard Greene, then turned it into reality. Located within Gatwick’s South Terminal, the next-generation cabins come fully equipped with en-suite bathrooms, free wi-fi and wired Internet access and ‘techno wall’ entertainment systems. Bookable for just a few hours, they enable delayed and transfer passengers to relax in privacy in front of a movie or to enjoy a refreshing shower with their favourite music playing. In addition, passengers leaving on early morning flights can stay the night before to catch some valuable extra hours of sleep, just a stroll away from the departure gate. “Designed to offer a solution to boring and expensive hotels around the globe”, says Greene, “the cabins come with all the facilities you would expect from a comfortable hotel room to enable work, relaxation, sleep, refreshment and entertainment.” Designers built on the technology and advanced use of space seen in Business Class airline cabins and luxury yachts to realise a three-tier YOTEL cabin system. Cabins come as Premium and Standard – both with sufficient room for two, en suite bathrooms, in-cabin entertainment and room service – and, soon to come, an Economy option, which has all the same amenities except en-suite bathrooms. A second Yotel will be opening at London Heathrow later this year and there are plans for others in major cities and airports around the world. “We like to think it's the iPod of the hotel industry,” says Greene. Prices for a Standard cabin range from £25(€37) for a four-hour period and from £55(€82) overnight, while a Premium cabin costs from £40(€59) and £80(€118) respectively. Bookings can be made online at www.yotel.com or by calling +44 (0) 207 100 1100. Exclusive club lounge opens
Claimed to be the largest hotel club lounge and, arguably, the most spectacular in Europe, the InterContinental London Park Lane's newly opened facility is a cut above the average. Located on the seventh floor, the purpose-built Club InterContinental occupies an impressive 223m2 and features floor-to-ceiling, double-glazed bay windows that provide striking views of London’s historic landscapes. Part of the hotel’s £76 million refurbishment, it offers three distinct areas: in the centre, guests can dine while taking in the view; at the far end, plush sofas and chairs offer a relaxing, library-style spot; elsewhere, there are more secluded seating areas, providing privacy for informal business meetings. Other amenities include complimentary wi-fi and Internet access; Bang & Olufsen TVs; Bose sound systems and iPod docks; an extensive library of international newspapers, magazines and books; and a CD and DVD library. Club membership is complimentary for guests staying in suites, while others have the opportunity to upgrade to Club membership for £80 (€120) per room, per night. Benefits include a buffet breakfast; afternoon tea; and a two-hour premium Champagne cocktail bar in the evening. Unlimited snacks, soft drinks, coffee and tea are also on offer throughout the day.
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