Micro hotels, or hotels offering pint-sized rooms for travelers, might not sound glamorous, but they make a lot of sense. While we’re not opposed to cavernous hotel rooms, let’s be honest—how many vacations have you been on where the hotel was the main attraction? Ultimately, you’re paying to have a really big place to store your luggage while you go sightseeing. On top of that, today’s micro hotels aren’t just penalty boxes; many of them boast eye-catching design and considered details to rival more traditional options.
The History of Micro Hotels
First appearing in Japan in 1979, “capsule hotels” were cheap beds primarily used by businessmen who were working long hours or who had a few too many to catch the last train out of the city. And they were tiny—about 20 square feet, with a separate bathroom down the hall.
As the trend drifted toward the West, it evolved into micro hotels. These rooms usually measure around 115 to 220 square feet, and many feature ensuite bathrooms. While they can still feel small—particularly when vacationing with a partner—springing for scaled-down accommodations can make a big difference for your travel budget.
Whether you’re looking for a bare-minimum crash pad or the opportunity to indulge in micro-scale luxury travel, going small is a worthwhile option. Read on to learn about some of the best micro hotels worth visiting around the world.
The Best Micro Hotels
1. The Jane
New York, NY
Located in the West Village, The Jane is New York’s answer to glamourous sailing ships in all their dark wood-paneled, nautical glory. It’s more than a cute theme, however. Completed in 1908, the building that houses The Jane is the former home of the American Seamen’s Friend Society Sailors’ Home, and it even housed survivors from the Titanic at one point.
Currently, would-be “passengers” have their choice of The Captain’s Cabin, which comes with an ensuite bathroom, and standard and bunk bed cabins, which do not. Renovations are currently underway to add in-room toilet facilities to each room.
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2. Tommie Hotels
Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX
Tommie Hotels brings clever design into smaller rooms, and guest spaces include amenities like flip-down desks and peg board closets to maximize accessibility and storage. Shared spaces in each hotel act as an extension of the quirky rooms, with coffee shops, grab-and-go food options, remote work-friendly lobbies, and enormous fireplaces open to all guests. The rooftops are devoted to hip clubs and pool areas that offer great views.
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3. Motto by Hilton
Multiple Locations Across the U.S., Europe, and Mexico
Motto by Hilton is the famous hotel chain’s move into “travel-sized” rooms in coveted neighborhoods. Translation: You’ll pay less to stay somewhere cool. Averaging about 160 square feet, Motto’s rooms feature jewel tones and simple, streamlined furniture options (think: function over fashion). They also have tech-friendly flourishes like lights, heat, and blackout blinds that you can adjust via an app. Downstairs, the well-appointed lobbies include regionally inspired cafes, tasty Stumptown coffee, and local high-end pastries.
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4. Citybox Oslo
Oslo, Norway
Citybox has multiple European locations, but the Oslo branch is a standout, partially because Norway is both extremely beautiful and extremely expensive. Citybox offers low-budget lodging that will help take the financial sting out of a visit. Located a stone’s throw from Oslo Central Station, the hotel is a masterclass in both Scandinavian design and self-service.
The 216 rooms are extremely tiny—claustrophobic visitors will want to book a double just for breathing space. But the family-friendly lobby, which features a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee-making facilities, will help you drive the price of your stay down even further. The best part, however, is what’s outside: You can walk to the city’s iconic opera house, or hop on nearby public transit to visit some of the country’s world-class skiing spots.
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5. The Millennials Shibuya
Tokyo, Japan
Given that Japan perfected the tiny hotel room trend with capsule rooms, it makes sense that its capital city would host some of the coolest micro hotels in the world. The Millennials is a pod hotel located in trendy Shibuya, a major shopping and nightlife district in Tokyo. In contrast to the chaos outside, staying the night in The Millennials’ private floors offers a quiet, comfy retreat—especially when you factor in pods with thick mattresses, ambient light wakeups (to avoid also waking your neighbors), and smartphone-enabled screens to indulge in a movie-theater-for-one experience.
During the day, the hotel’s sleek lounge converts to a coworking space, so you can power through emails or connect with colleagues. The Millennials has locations in Kyoto and Fukuoka as well.
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6. Pod Brooklyn
Brooklyn, NY
Pod Brooklyn, located in the waterfront neighborhood of Williamsburg, has 230 rooms with simple-yet-chic accommodations. The bathrooms feature a toilet-over-shower setup behind a single glass divider—so this micro hotel is best for a solo trip or a sharing situation with someone you know really well. (Don’t forget to towel down the seat after you finish rinsing off.)
But in addition to a bargain price and a location in one of New York’s coolest neighborhoods, you’ll also get access to loaner bikes, free walking tours, and a low-distraction lobby workspace. Need to stay in Manhattan? Check out Pod 39 or Pod 51.
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7. Moxy by Marriott
Multiple Locations Worldwide
Moxy Hotels exist in a pink neon glow that Andy Warhol would have loved. Sip on a complimentary cocktail at check-in and take in the Pop art-inspired lobby decor, then grab a snack (or a bottle of wine) before retiring to one of the tech-friendly rooms. Each one comes with a TV set up to stream content from your laptop or smartphone. The 185-square-foot rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, and amenities like communal ironing stations are helpful for longer stays. Better yet, these hotels are pet-friendly.
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8. The Little National Hotel
Sydney, Australia
Sydney’s The Little National is designed with low-key boutique luxury in mind—just take a look at its 183-square-foot, cream-colored rooms, a pleasant change from the more-is-more mentality of other chains. (Need a bit more space? You can also book The Big Room, which offers 269 square feet of space.)
The hotel’s custom-made Arms of Morpheus Super King beds are so beloved, the hotel even offers a link to buy a take-home version of your own. Interested in a night out? The hotel’s in-house magazine lists updated options. Staying in? Make it a night with snacks and drinks from the bar and a book from the rooftop library.
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9. ZIP by Premier Inn
Cardiff, Wales
Out of all the hotels on this list, ZIP may adhere the most closely to the traditional Japanese capsule hotel, albeit with the added benefit of not having to go down the hall to use the bathroom. Who needs amenities that you have no intention of using? Stripped to the bare basics and impeccably clean, you’ll pay the bare minimum for a place to rest your head—usually about £29.75 with an additional £3.99 if you want to add breakfast.
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10. citizenM
Multiple Locations Worldwide
Since 2010, citizenM’s bright red signage has found its way into cities and airports across the world. It’s easy to see the appeal—lobbies strike a balance between quirky bars and “don’t talk to me, I’m on a deadline” work stations. Upstairs, ultra-comfortable king-sized beds are the centerpieces of the 150-square-foot rooms. Use that spacious spread as a command station while you raise the blinds, tweak the room temperature, channel surf, and even change the color of the lights with the in-room iPad.
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Micro hotels, or hotels offering pint-sized rooms for travelers, might not sound glamorous, but they make a lot of sense. While we’re not opposed to cavernous hotel rooms, let’s be honest—how many vacations have you been on where the hotel was the main attraction? Ultimately, you’re paying to have a really big place to store TravelMen’s Journal
