When you think of Hawaii, you think of luxury beach resorts – but the U.S island is now branching out into budget pod hotels.
Also known as capsule hotels, these cheap accommodations typically offer rooms with just enough space for a bed, and shared bathrooms.
And First Cabin International – which already has 10 hotels in Japan – is now opening a branch in Hawaii in May, and taking reservations.
So travellers from all over the world can afford to explore the island.
As well as Japan, many countries are home to pod hotels, with the UK’s first, St Christopher’s at the Village, opening in London Bridge in 2018, with beds costing from £25 per night.
But would you stay in one?
In Copenhagen, the average price of a three-star hotel is £181 per night, according to Skyscanner.
But Chelsea Dickinson, aka @Cheapholidayexpert, stayed at pod hotel CityHub in Denmark’s capital for just £37 a night.
She booked the twin room, which was two single beds pushed together, as opposed to the double room, as the latter cost £50 a night.
In a TikTok video, showing her 173.6k followers around the room, Chelsea shows that her pod has its own Bluetooth speaker, as well as ‘fancy lights’ which you can put on to different settings.
She also points out the room’s shutters that you can close for privacy, as well as space for hangers, plus two robes and two large towels.
Chelsea then takes her camera to the shared bathroom, which has ‘loads of stalls, showers and spaces to get ready’.
Amazingly, there is also a sauna, Rituals hand soap, ‘and even a space to do your ironing’.
In the communal areas, Chelsea points out a ‘self-serving beer tap’ and a kitchen which guests can use to cook their food if they want to keep the cost down.
Or, like Chelsea, guests can pay extra for breakfast and will receive some tokens to use at a nearby café.
On check out, guests are able to use lockers to keep their stuff in until they’re ready to head on.
‘I absolutely love it! What more could you want?’ Chelsea finishes.
But many of her followers aren’t convinced, complaining the pods look ‘claustrophobic’ – and lack a view.
One says: ‘“What more do you need?” – a window would be nice.’
Another adds: ‘My claustrophobia would never let me.’
And a third agrees: ‘These are totally fine for like £15 a night. Anything above that is a rip off.’
