A Guide to Yotel Hotels

Yotel, a United Kingdom-based hotel chain with properties worldwide in urban centers, resorts and airports, offers a modern take on capsule hotels.

No, you won't sleep on a shelf. Instead, Yotel hotels embrace compact rooms. Some have bunk beds, though there are even some larger accommodations and suites.

Yotel comprises a few brands. There's the namesake Yotel. Then there's Yotelpad for longer stays. And Yotelair encompasses properties inside airport terminals.

Yotel is best for people prioritizing affordable options in prime locations (who don't mind sacrificing space to save). But, the tiny rooms and lack of amenities might be a turn-off to others.

Is Yotel worth booking on your next trip? Here's how to decide.

Yotel's heavy reliance on technology helps cut down on the number of on-site staff, which Yotel refers to as crews. That's a nod to the founder’s love for aviation. Though limited staff might be annoying for travelers seeking personal attention, it does help keep room prices low.

The reception desk, referred to as mission control, handles most hotel functions. Meanwhile, on-site vending machines sell items including snacks and toiletries.

Guest rooms are called cabins. Cabins make good use of space and smartly balance cost versus room size.

Yotel is concentrated to major cities. The brand currently has more than a dozen standard Yotel properties. Plus, it has about a half-doze Yotelair locations in airports, and three Yotelpads in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Seven of the 24 locations are in the U.K. and six are in the U.S.

There are three Yotel family brands in the hospitality group. Each has its own specifics to be aware of when checking into the property. Here’s what separates them from one another.

Yotel

Yotel is the brand for city hotels found in places like Boston, San Francisco and Singapore. They have some elements that are more like traditional hotels, with a restaurant and bar, gym or outdoor terrace. Coworking space is another common amenity to bring in business travelers.

Rooms come in a variety of dimensions with prices tied to the space, including some junior suites or larger rooms dubbed First Class in certain locations.

They're generally located in central areas of the city. For example, the San Francisco Yotel sits right off Civic Center BART station, making it easy to get to and from San Francisco International Airport and other major Bay Area cities via public transit. But being in the heart of downtown, it's also busy — and a bit gritty for some travelers not used to San Francisco city life.

Yotelpad

Yotelpad properties are designed for long stays — from a week to as long as a year. This is Yotel’s version of Airbnb, and these properties are found in urban and resort locations.

The first property opened in Park City, Utah, and has since been followed by locations in Miami and London. These locations are dubbed “pads.” They come with traditional residential amenities like bedrooms, living and dining areas, and kitchens.

Yotelair

Yotelair is the brand comprising Yotel properties within airports. Some of them are located airside, meaning you'll have already cleared security to enter. Others are landside.

Yotelair properties typically have smaller cabins than city center or long-stay hotels. After all, some guests stay for just few hours — and few stay in one of these for more than one night.

You'll find Yotelair in airports including in Amsterdam, Istanbul and Singapore.

Yotelair on Priority Pass

The Yotelair in Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which serves Paris, France, stands out for one big reason: it doubles up as a Priority Pass lounge.

Priority Pass is a popular membership program. Many premium travel credit cards offer a version called Priority Pass Select as a complimentary perk. With it, you'll have access to more than 1,500 airport lounges worldwide. But, it also unlocks access to non-traditional lounges such as spas, arcades and — in this case — the lobby of the Yotelair Charles De Gaulle.

Oddly, Priority Pass members don't get a private hotel room. Instead, they get the privilege of hanging out in the lobby. Some might consider that not much better than just sitting in the airport terminal.

But for people who like free food of any kind, it can be worth it. Members can nosh on prepackaged snacks and coffee.

The CDG Yotelair isn't worth Priority Pass members going out of their way for. But if you're passing by CDG's Terminal 2E anyway, it might be worth stopping in, at least for a free candy bar.

Despite the limited number of staff at the hotels and the small size of some rooms, Yotel amenities are on par with what you'd expect at other modern hotels. Yotel offers features like smart TVs, numerous power outlets, rainfall showers and heated towel racks. Beds in many rooms can easily convert from a bed to a sofa to save space.

For better or for worse, you'll speak with very few actual employees. Kiosks handle check-in and checkout functions, among other things. Guests can use the Yotel app to request items (sometimes delivered by robot) or check out. Robots can also store or return luggage instead of a bell staff.

If you prefer luxury hotels, personal service or spacious guest rooms, Yotel isn't what you're looking for. But, Yotel is a great option for travelers who want to stay in city centers and need a simple room at an affordable price point.

Yotel Club is the free loyalty program that provides certain benefits when travelers book directly with Yotel. It includes 15% off stays and special access to promotional rates. Instead of being awarded points, members earn cash back credits through the Guestbook program to use for future Yotel stays.

Unfortunately, not all hotels participate. These include Yotelair properties as well as Yotels in Manchester, England, and San Francisco plus the Yotelpad in Park City.

JetBlue TrueBlue

Yotel has a partnership with JetBlue Airways that awards points to TrueBlue members and offers special benefits to Mosaic elite tier members when staying at a Yotel property.

TrueBlue members will receive special rates if they book directly through the Paisly portal from JetBlue as well as a welcome amenity.

Mosaic travelers are eligible for an upgrade and late checkout. Certain Yotel property bars serve JetBlue’s special pre-/post-flight cocktail, the Mint Condition, using Bombay Sapphire Gin or Tito’s Handmade Vodka, ginger, lime, cucumber and mint.

Credit card rewards

When using a credit card that gives bonus points for spending on travel categories (like hotels), you would gain extra earnings when booking with Yotel, too.

They include cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offers 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards® points spent on hotels, and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, which offers 3x Citi ThankYou points on hotels.

Yotel is best suited for budget travelers in urban cities, as well as travelers seeking an extended stay but who prioritize budget over space.

The group's airport hotels are compelling. Especially with the airside ones, you don’t need to leave security or immigration (when traveling overseas) to find a comfortable place to sleep.

Yotel leans into technology throughout the travel experience, and its new partnership with JetBlue brings special benefits. Yotel is good option for travelers who value a good deal instead of a spacious suite. For many travelers, Yotel fills a sought-after niche.