Why capsule hotels piqued Anand Mahindra's interest?

Travel vlogger Somya recently shared her experience at NapTapGo, a Japanese-style capsule hotel in Noida, on X, which caught the attention of industrialist Anand Mahindra. The uber-cool businessman found the capsule hotel “pretty cool” and encouraged users to share their views on these budget-friendly, futuristic, space-saving stay options.

For those not in the know, here is everything you need to know about capsule hotels in India.

Capsule hotels, popularly called pods, are futuristic, budget-friendly sleeping spaces designed for travellers on the go. Originating in Japan, these individual capsules offer accommodation at rates lower than conventional hotels. Typically arranged side by side in rows of vertical doubles, they come with a small ladder to access the upper-level capsules. Featuring a minimalist, futuristic design, capsule hotels are usually white in colour.

These private cocoons include a comfortable bed with linens, reading lights, charging outlets, and curtains or screens for privacy. Amenities such as Wi-Fi, shared bathroom and shower facilities, beverage and snack vending machines, lounge areas, lockers, and air conditioning or heating are standard. Optional breakfast services are also available.

The rentals of these capsule hotels are typically charged either on an hourly or per-night basis, making them an affordable option for travellers seeking budget-friendly lodging in urban areas.