This Tiny Hotel Room Is Smaller Than a Prison Cell
Stylish, compact capsule hotels are on the rise. But one hotel in London is making even airplane seats look downright palatial.
The UK-based product testing website Which? recently went undercover at the budget Corbigoe Hotel in London and, to the Internet's delight, tweeted about it.
The room in question was marketed as a "Single Room" priced at £55.00 (about $71) during the high season and £30.00 ($39) during the low season. According to Which?, the bedroom measured just 32 square feet, making it smaller than an actual prison cell. For reference, the American Correctional Association says prison cells must be a minimum of 70 square feet, with 35 square feet reserved for open floor space.
Which? was quick to point out in their report that this bedroom (filled wall to wall with a narrow bed and a single window that opens into the stairwell), is even less spacious than a standard parking space. Including the bathroom, which brings the total square footage to 53 square feet, the entire room is only about the size of Singapore's new 50-square-foot A380 first class suite.
Sure, you get what you pay for, and this hotel room — especially by London standards — is dirt cheap. And guests probably won't want to spend too much time in the hotel anyway, as the Corbigoe Hotel is located just south of the Westminster neighborhood (home to Big Ben and Buckingham Palace). For serious budget travelers, having a $39 hotel room with an en suite bathroom in the heart of London may be hard to beat: even if you can probably wash your hands while sitting on the toilet.
Fortunately, the hotel does offer other rooms, which are notably larger. Plus, all room rates include complimentary breakfast, and guests receive a discounted parking rate (another valuable amenity when you're close to downtown). That way, if you need to stretch out, you can always do so in a parking spot.
And whether you enjoy your stay or not, "I slept in a hotel room smaller than a prison cell" is quite the party conversation icebreaker.
Photo courtesy of the Corbigoe Hotel.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app