![\"Capsule](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Capsule-Pods.jpg\")
In your room, you get lockers for security.<\/p><\/div>\n
I pop my head into one of the smaller (two metres by 1.2 metres) front-entrance \u2018single\u2019 capsules (that my Japanese friend seems to have left open in her bid for freedom), and I assess that no nylon fur would fly in there, either.\u00a0Undeterred, I continue my tiny-capsule tests.<\/p>\n\n
I slide across my big plastic door (it definitely needs a Star Trek-like \u2018ssshhh\u2019 sound effect) and crudely execute an upward-dog yoga pose. Tick; two nose lengths to spare below the roof. Next, I throw an old-school breakdancing backspin and I don\u2019t even glance the sides (warning: may dramatically and instantly unmake your bed).<\/p>\n\n
Unfortunately, these fully-sick space-proving manoeuvres will do nothing to disperse a claustrophobic\u2019s deeply-held anxieties. A front desk guy tells me later that so far only one person has freaked out and not made it through the evening. Not bad for a 70-pod hotel that has been doing a thriving trade since opening in May.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cBut, really, it\u2019s not the kind of place they tend to check into,\u201d the front desk guy adds as if I have no concept of the disorder.<\/p>\n
The Capsule<\/h2>\n
Each capsule is thoroughly air-conned, but there are a handful of safety features that, ironically, could themselves, or in unison, be accidental triggers for a claustrophobic\u2019s unquiet mind: the \u2018SOS button\u2019; a flashing red light that looks like it\u2019s been plucked from an ambulance (60 centimetres from your face); and a mini fire extinguisher provocatively baptised the \u2018Flame Fighter\u2019.\u00a0Yep, no reason at all to panic when that door magnetically locks closed.<\/p>\n\n
Visually speaking, the capsules are nerd magnets, with functional-looking indents and angles that gift them a retro spaceship vibe; a cross-breed of the original Stars Wars and Alien sets seems to be the consensus.<\/p>\n
![\"Capsule](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Capsule-Hotel-Sydney.jpg\")
The capsules are decked out in technology that’ll make it hard to leave your little slice of paradise.<\/p><\/div>\n
The control panel gives you Vader-like power over your space; there\u2019s a USB port, powerpoint, sensor light switches, combination safe, and wide lit-up mirror to help identify formerly unseen wrinkles or just to see how big your pupils are when you run out of things to do.<\/p>\n\n
Other capsule conveniences include an LCD television, recessed behind glass to save space (mine, and a few others on the night, had temporarily lost connection); a detachable table; two (fairly poorly aimed) reading lights; plus a very handy, one-touch sleep button, which shuts everything down with one drowsy swipe.<\/p>\n\n
The fist-thin-mattress is no Cumulonimbus, but it\u2019s not uncomfortable, either. If you don\u2019t get an idyllic eight hours here, it\u2019s probably going to be down to a couple of other factors, anyway. You see, for all their kitschy cred, the capsules are simply snapped and screwed together plastic; stable enough, but far from sound- or lightproof. If you\u2019re a light snoozer, the odd clumsy mount\/dismount from a neighbour\u2019s capsule and the late night\/early morning George Street \u2018ambience\u2019 may be your early wake-up call(s).<\/p>\n\n
In shared areas, however, The Capsule Hotel does the cheery \u2018poshtel\u2019 thing rather well (yep, that means shared bathrooms. What did you expect? Bedpans?). It\u2019s fun with a just a hint of the boutique: parquet (look) flooring, chequered kitchen floor and (mostly fake) potted plants dotted around charming retro-look furniture.<\/p>\n
![\"Capsule](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Capsule-pool.jpg\")
This ‘poshtel’ provides communal areas, play a game of foosball with a mate.<\/p><\/div>\n
Clever lighting, funky mirrors and bright pastels suggest space where there isn\u2019t much at all, which is fine because most of the hotel\u2019s clientele (a good mix of ages, sexes and nationalities) seem either perpetually getting ready to go out, are out already, or are coming home to crash out after going out.<\/p>\n
What’s Around<\/h2>\n
As for going out, you don\u2019t get too much more \u2018downtown Sydney\u2019 than this. Perhaps a shade too much, if \u2013 like me \u2013 you\u2019re not a diehard fan of the George Street cinema strip.<\/p>\n\n
The level-three hotel sits atop The Century Bar<\/a>, which thanks to a makeover is no longer one of Sydney\u2019s grittiest (read grottiest) pubs. Nowadays, level one is a decent option for a discreet pre-revel beverage. Ironically, or perhaps deliberately, The Capsule Hotel\u2019s doorbell sounds like a paying-out poker machine on the floor below.<\/p>\n Drop into Century Bar for a quick bevvie.<\/p><\/div>\n Speaking of big nights and, yes, we have to talk about this\u2026 no, you can\u2019t squeeze two peas into these pods. It\u2019s strictly one person per capsule, even in the deluxe ones. I reckon that\u2019s a good thing; otherwise, this place could turn into a (reasonably priced) one-night-stand drop-in centre.<\/p>\n\n In the context of a novel concept like this, which is cheaper than an Uber or taxi fare if you live more than about 25 minutes away, it\u2019s difficult to say too many truly hurtful words about The Capsule Hotel. It doesn\u2019t take itself too seriously so neither am I.<\/p>\n\n You might want to bring some earplugs, though. Lest too many pizza-eating cats get swung around in furious faux anger.<\/p>\n![\"Century](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/century-bar-1.jpg\")
The Details<\/h2>\n