Posted on 05/01/2010 5:37:00 AM PDT by Willie Green
At a boutique hotel near the exclusive shops and hangouts of New York's meatpacking district, a bellman, polite and formal in the classic uniform of burgundy trimmed in gold, pushed open a rich wood door for a guest the other day. Beyond it was a carefully designed space with luxury touches: high-thread-count cotton sheets, large flat-screen television, bathrobe and spa sandals.
"Your presidential suite," the bellman announced.
Except that this was the Jane, a restored residential hotel rising over the West Side Highway, and the "presidential suite" was one of its standard single rooms. Reminiscent of a high-class train cabin, it was tiny: all of 50 square feet, just big enough for a custom-made twin bed and a shelf.
And at $89 a night, no one was complaining. "It's like having a virtual Manhattan apartment," said Peter Griesar, 41, a regular guest, noting that the rough cost of a month's stay -- $2,670 -- was not a bad deal for a West Village address. "The price is right, the neighborhood's great, and who spends time in a hotel room in New York anyway?"
In a city where space is at such a premium that bragging rights are measured in square feet, small is getting big. An expanding clutch of hotels like the Jane offer cramped sleeping quarters on the cheap, often with shared bathrooms and bunk beds, to budget-minded travelers seeking a dash of style along with their savings.
There is the Pod, which opened three years ago with 345 rooms averaging 100 square feet. The hotel, on East 51st Street, has been such a success, said Richard Born, one of the owners who is also a partner in the Jane, that he is planning a second Pod in Manhattan.
(Excerpt) Read more at starbulletin.com ...
No good without a picture.
The below photo will give you an idea as to how a small room might look. I can see myself using it on business travel with while using my iPad to watch a movie, read a book or just check my email.
Just so long as I don't have to take a high-speed train to get there! 
wow, how about those of us with tight enclosure problems?
For those of us who are claustrophobic, this would be a nightmare!
There is nothing wrong with this concept, especially in a big city like Manhattan. When I travel for business, all I really need is a place to sleep and take a shower.
That may be OK for one or two nights.
But IMHO, the monthly rates get ridiculous.
#7 photo looks like a mausoleum for the living!
I would be claustrophobic just by being in a city where someone would consider staying in something that small! I live in 1850 square feet situated on eight acres and it seems cramped. I cannot imagine any city having attractions that would make it worth living that way. I could live in a small shack in the middle of nowhere first. Give me an outhouse and a handpump for water but don’t make me feel as though I am back in a Navy bunk, please!
looks like an animal crate.
looks like an animal crate.
Heck, that’s big for a hotel room in Paris and gargantuan for Tokyo where you can rent a POD instead of a room.
No seat. No work station. No TV. No table. Sleep and toilet w tub. Odd.
I’m with you! Give me some space!
http://www.capsuleinn.com/location.html
Don’t visit Japan. Everything there is in miniature, especially living spaces.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.