Small sleeping spaces, done well. These hotels trade square metres for clever planning, clean shared areas and a low price per night.
Shimane, Japan
Hotel MyCUBE Shimane follows the cube format: private sleeping units stacked in rows, with lounges, lockers and bathrooms shared. It suits solo travellers who want a bed, a shower and a lockable space.
Shimane itself is quiet country. Izumo Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines, and the castle town of Matsue are the usual reasons to come, and a compact base keeps the budget free for getting around.
Tottori, Japan
The 9 Hours idea is simple. One hour to shower, seven to sleep, one to get ready. The design follows the routine, with pale pods, clear signage and nothing that distracts from rest.
Tottori is best known for its sand dunes on the Sea of Japan coast. After a day out in the wind and sand, a short, tidy stay is all most people need.
Lisbon, Portugal
Not a capsule in the strict sense, but built on the same logic. citizenM rooms are compact: a wall-to-wall bed, a big window and lighting and blinds controlled from a tablet.
The space saved upstairs goes into the ground floor. Lounges with design furniture, art and long work tables act as a shared living room. Self check-in keeps arrivals fast.