UNITED KINGDOM: Yotel hotel chain launches in the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport

Earlier this month, YOTEL saw the launch of its very first location, tucked away in the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport. Gatwick Airport is the UK's second busiest airport flying to around 200 destinations on a choice of over 80 airlines. Whilst not airside, it is the first hotel to be located inside a UK airport terminal. Like most great ideas simplicity is the key. The concept of YOTEL is to provide a flexible and convenient 'first class' hotel experience at affordable prices. The airline styled cabins come fully equipped with en-suite bathrooms, free Wifi and wired internet access and 'techno flat screen' wall entertainment systems. Guest can choose between a standard or a premium 'cabin'. Clever design and use of light means that although compact, they don't feel so small and the selection of quality fittings also gives that feel of comfort and relaxation. Prices for a standard cabin range from 25 sterling (G.B. pounds) for four hours and from 55 (GBP) overnight, while a premium cabin costs from 40 (GBP) for four hours, and from 80 (GBP) overnight. At Gatwick, there are 46 cabins. YOTEL provides passengers with the ideal solution to early morning flights and long scheduled transfers. It is also a flexible solution for travellers who experience unexpected flight delays and cancellations. Indeed, on the opening day there were several such ad hoc bookings including David Summer from Atlanta, Georgia, US who missed a transfer on a transatlantic flight. He had read a newspaper article and decided that a cabin at YOTEL would provide an ideal respite for six hours. As a business traveller, price was key to his decision; explaining that his business expense account could not accommodate a stay at one of the many Airport Hotels such as 'The Hilton'. The cabins are bookable for just a few hours, (minimum four), enabling delayed and transfer passengers to relax in privacy, enjoy a refreshing shower or relax with their favourite music from a choice of over 5,000 music tracks. Others can surf the internet or watch a movie or TV and for business travellers they can simply use the pull down desk, plug in their laptop and get on with some work. Snacks, club meals and refreshments can be ordered from the TV system and then delivered to your cabin or the guest can stroll along to 'The Galley' where the 'cabin crew' are available 24 hours a day. For really exhausted travellers they need not have any human interaction if they so wish, they can simply check in at the entrance booths using a simple automated touch screen system which produces their cabin key and receipt. Created by YO! Founder Simon Woodroffe, the concept was conceived after he was upgraded into first-class on a flight. He wanted to emulate the 'language of luxury airline travel' and Japanese capsule hotels into a small but luxurious cabin. Expansion of YOTEL already includes the opening of a 32-cabin YOTEL at Heathrow's Terminal 4 later this year and other airports in Amsterdam and Frankfurt. In addition, the YOTEL expansion strategy is not just confined to Airport locations but set to become a familiar establishment in cities across the globe.

ITN Source | July 13, 2007

Tags:. .delays. .delayed. .upgraded. .hilton. .globe