Yotel moves into longer stays with YotelPad

Yotel, known for its cabin-style YotelCity and YotelAir brands, is branching out into the extended stay and serviced-apartment sectors, and guests can expect a similar focus on technology, design and cool public areas, according to Yotel’s CEO Hubert Viriot.

Launched on 16 January, YotelPad, according to Viriot, will have the same DNA as its two other brands but address a new segment.

“I see the guest (for YotelPad) as being the exact same person as our guests for our other brands, but suddenly their purpose of travel has changed. That will not be the case all the time, of course, and there will be new guests, but all will require well-designed, tech-savvy accommodations,” Viriot said.

YotelPad rooms do not come with a minimum length of stay.

YotelPad, Viriot added, will have a slightly different type of accommodation option, one that would appeal to flexible clients who increasingly are commuting between major global cities and require something attractive, functional, cool and socially connected and not a huge, luxurious spread, which he said are the favoured serviced-apartment blueprint.

“In many instances, serviced apartments are not that different from your average condominium. Let’s face it—quite often serviced apartments are failed condo developments, not purposefully designed for long stays, (and are) merely furnished apartments,” Viriot said,

Viriot believed Yotel could do far better.

“We thought we can apply what we know to this segment. We would have clever cabins, put into them what guests need and take out when they do not. There will also be large club lounges,” Viriot said.

YotelPad rooms will be either studios or apartments, as small as 20 square meters (215 square feet) and up to 60 square meters (646 square feet).

Viriot believes the smaller room sizes associated with Yotel will not be a detriment for the new brand.

“Small is not a problem in serviced apartments if you add all the requirements. For example, the sector in London means luxurious and expensive, with smaller spaces meaning merely an Airbnb, and without the service and social elements, which we consider very important if guests are staying there for a longer time,” he said.

Viriot added that all rooms will be private (no dormitory-style room-sharing), and each will have a bathroom, small kitchenette and lots of storage space.

“They will have all the tech you’d expect from a Yotel. Yes, some rooms will be small, but smart beds will allow space for a great bathrooms. Room design will be more market-driven,” Viriot said.

The design of YotelPad’s public spaces will derive from those in its YotelCity hotels, with the main difference in YotelPad being that the service element would be lower and F&B more limited and automated.

“Maybe there’ll be a serviced element for breakfast, working with partners,” Viriot added.