When travelers think of hotel rooms, there’s usually a single, burning image: a clean room with a big bed in the middle, a bathroom, and a window with a view of the city. Of course, we’re referring to common, run the mill hotel rooms that have helped accommodate the world’s most adventurous travelers. But what if we tell you that hotel rooms have taken a turn for the cute and chic, and they’re now downsized for people’s convenience?

Small is Beautiful

They’re called capsule hotels, and what began in innovative Japan has now spread far and wide in Asia. There’s plenty of demand for them in the most crowded districts of well-visited Asian cities, and more of them are popping up to give travelers looking for one-night accommodations because they’re just passing through.

Capsule hotels are tiny, only a fraction of what a basic hotel room would actually look like, but they’re being booked like crazy because they’re cheaper, and second, there’s just something about connecting with like-minded folks nearby that makes the hotel experience less lonely. And traveling alone can get lonely, as many global backpackers know.

The Trendsetters

The Capsule Retreat in Malaysia provides 7’ x 10’ cylinders that are outfitted with a cozy queen-sized bed and perfect lighting for relaxation, a bit of reading, and of course, sleep. The Capsule Retreat provides the most soothing environment to travelers, and you won’t have to deal with the usual nighttime traffic sounds when you book accommodations here. The hotel’s design also keeps the heat at bay, which means you’re going to get some sound sleep even if it’s your first time to travel to the tropics.