Zedwell has opened the largest capsule hotel in the world in central London, featuring nearly 1,000 sleep pods with starting rates from just £30 per night. Olivia Palamountain reports

Zedwell has opened a vast capsule hotel in London's Piccadilly Circus, home to some 1,000 individual sleep pods set across five floors.

Claiming the title of the world's largest capsule hotel, the property sits directly above Piccadilly Circus tube station in the reimagined London Pavilion building.

Capsule hotels originated in Japan, offering guests small self-contained sleeping pods with just enough room for a bed and essential features, designed for privacy and efficiency. Zedwell's version features natural oak capsules with single Hypnos mattresses, Egyptian cotton bedding, individual ventilation, smart climate control, noise reduction and ambient lighting. Dormitories range from eight to 100 capsules, with female-only options available. The 100-capsule dormitories offer an unusually large shared sleeping arrangement by Western hospitality standards, more akin to hostel dormitories than the typical four-eight bed capsule hotel configuration common in Japan. Bookings are available from £30 per night.

Halima Aziz, head of hotels at Criterion Hospitality, says: "London is one of the most exciting cities in the world, but it can also be overwhelming and expensive. We are taking the capsule hotel concept to the next level, one that combines an exceptional location with a focus on simplicity, thoughtful design and the highest quality of sleep. Our aim is to create a welcoming, design focused space that balances accessibility with privacy and quality rest, right in the centre of the city."Guests access shared amenities including lounges, co-working spaces, secure storage for larger bags and communal bathrooms. Padlocks and towels are available at reception for an additional charge.

The budget £30 starting price positions the hotel significantly below traditional central London accommodation, where affordable hotel rooms typically start around £80-100 per night. The capsule format allows higher density occupation of the same square footage, though guests sacrifice private bathrooms and enclosed rooms for the lower price point.

The hotel targets solo travellers, corporate groups, commuters requiring layovers, educational trips, tour groups and friends exploring London together. Piccadilly Circus attracts more than 100 million visitors annually, providing substantial foot traffic for the property.

Zedwell plans to unveil additional floors and amenities over coming months, expanding the guest experience beyond the current offering. The launch marks Zedwell's largest property, following its sleep-centric hotel concept that emphasises rest quality over traditional hotel features.

The capsule hotel format remains relatively uncommon in the UK despite popularity in Japan, where space constraints and late-night work culture created demand for affordable, convenient sleeping arrangements near transport hubs. London's adoption of the format suggests shifting accommodation expectations among budget-conscious travellers willing to trade space and privacy for location and price.