The Pod aims to plug the gap in Singapore"s hotel sector

TRAVELLERS are set to enjoy greater choice in Singapore with the entry of a new capsule hotel into the city’s hospitality scene early this month.

 

The Pod is an independently operated boutique capsule hotel that soft-launched on August 8, located on the refurbished top three storeys of a five-level building on Beach Road. This places it close to Singapore’s central business district as well as Haji Lane, one of the top shopping places in the city.

 

Alan Tay, director, The Pod, said the hotel served to “fill the gap” between budget and conventional full-service hotel, catering to travellers seeking a fuss-free stay, communal living experience and/or value-for-money boutique-style comfort.

 

When asked how The Pod differentiated itself from other capsule hotels in Singapore, such as Wink Hostel located in Chinatown, he said the hotel had no “exact competitors”, given its extra offerings of higher-quality amenities and service.

 

Each pod, for instance, boasts 300 thread-count sateen cotton sheets, while guests enjoy complimentary dry-cleaning and laundry, buffet breakfast, use of business centres and high-speed Wi-Fi connection.

 

Merely two days after its launch, the hotel hit an occupancy rate of 85 per cent on August 9, a public holiday in Singapore.

 

Guests hailed from various destinations, such as Indonesia, Thailand, China Australia, the UK, and even Singapore. Tay added: “We have had a good mix of guests so far, but we are looking more at the Asian market, given its rising middle-class population, and the increasing accessibility brought about by budget carriers.”

 

The Pod has partnered OTAs such as Agoda.com and Bookings.com, and will be looking at forging partnershps with local travel agencies to further drive bookings. It last week hosted an event for the trade.

 

The property features a total of 83 capsules priced from S$68 (US$53) for a single pod to S$98 for a queen pod. Each capsule provides a personal locker below with key card access, two pillows, a reading light, a fold-down table for laptop use or writing, a power socket, hangers and a clothes rack.

 

The Pod aims to plug the gap in Singapore"s hotel sector