Anyone who’s braved a London night bus has felt the temptation of booking a last-minute hotel room – or simply staying out till morning. In those instances, Otherwander, which opens in Soho on June 1, might be the answer.
Otherwander is inspired by Japanese pod hotels, which began in the ’70s as clean and cost-effective places for weary salarymen who had missed the last train home. Over time, these evolved to accommodate tourists too, and are now prevalent in Asia and emerging in Europe. But Otherwander, its founder Fredrik Korallus tells Broadsheet, is different. Korallus has developed it to meet the needs of today’s travellers: “an experience-seeking explorer looking to discover new destinations at an accessible price yet not compromising on location, quality or the essentials of a great stay”.
Otherwander Soho focuses on high-quality essentials without the frills. The booking process is entirely digital: guests check in online and access the building and their pod using a QR code. The rooms (referred to as “nests”) start from £70 for a single. Designed by Netherlands-based company Studio Uberdutch, the pods’ doors are like spaceship hatches; open them, crawl inside and you’re immediately on your bed for the night, flanked by integrated storage for bags and essential items. To maximise sleep quality and privacy, they feature blackout windows, soundproof walls, temperature controls and fresh-filtered air.
Elsewhere in the building, there’s a social area with a self-serve bar with beers, wines and cocktails, plus fresh coffee, pastries and snacks. Shared bathrooms have spa-quality finishes with rain showers and a vanity area with hairdryers.
The design feels suitably minimalist and space-efficient – shared spaces, by Soda Studio Architects, favour curved lines, warm strip lights and bold pops of colour, including a bright coral staircase. “Soda brought an architectural clarity to the communal area with clean lines, smart use of light and material, nothing unnecessary,” says Korallus.
Korallus’s target market is Gen Z travellers enjoying short city breaks in London; here, they’re placed in the heart of the action, steps away from the Elizabeth line at Tottenham Court Road. But, he also sees potential for business travellers and commuters. “For example, someone attending a conference, catching a late flight from Heathrow, or simply not wanting to face a long journey home after a late day at work,” he says.
“We’ve even thought about couples wanting a spontaneous night in the city, or a group of friends arriving from abroad and needing a base to drop bags and get back out there. The key is that Otherwander says yes to all of those.”
Otherwander Soho opens on June 1 at 92 Dean Street, W1D 3SY.
