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Yotel
Yotel
from Wikipedia

Yotel
Product typeHotels
OwnerAl-Bahar Group, United Investment Portugal, Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT) and Starwood Capital Group
Introduced2007
Related brandsYotel Air, Yotel Pad
MarketsUnited States, EMEA, Asia-Pacific
Websitewww.yotel.com

Yotel is a hotel chain based in the United Kingdom. The company's main shareholders include the Al-Bahar Group, United Investment Portugal, and Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT).[1] The company operates under three different brands: YOTEL, YOTELAIR and YOTELPAD.[2]

History

[edit]
Yotel in Downtown Miami

The first YOTEL was opened in 2007 at Gatwick Airport, closely followed by one at Heathrow Airport.[3] The chain was the second venture of Simon Woodroffe and the YO! Company after YO! Sushi.[4] In 2009, YOTEL opened a branch at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the company won the Business Accommodation of the Year award at the Business Travel World Awards.[5][6][7]

Room within a Yotel in New York City

On 13 June 2011, YOTEL opened[8][6] a hotel in New York City at 570 10th Ave,[9] as a part of the $300 Million MiMA complex[10] which includes residential units. Rockwell Group and Softroom designed the 669 rooms[11][12] sized at 16 square metres (170 sq ft) each.[13] YOTEL New York has a multi-bar 4,000 square feet (370 m2) balcony, Terrace.[14]

In 2015, YOTEL announced plans to expand to Boston, Dubai, Singapore (Orchard Road and Changi Airport), Paris (Charles De Gaulle), Miami, London and San Francisco.[15] In 2017, YOTEL opened its city centre hotels in Boston[16] and Singapore[17] and begun construction in London.[18] It also announced a further location in Amsterdam city centre.[19] Later in the year, YOTEL formed a $250 million strategic partnership with Starwood Capital Group for a 30 percent stake in the company and the first city YOTEL investment in Edinburgh was confirmed.[20]

In 2018, YOTEL launched its new brand: YOTEL. YOTELPAD is an extended-stay business, where guests can stay from one day up to a year. YOTEL confirmed 6 new PAD developments in Park City, Dubai, Miami and Geneva.[21]

Furthermore, the company announced properties in Glasgow[22] and Istanbul New Airport.[23]

In 2018, YOTEL also forged a partnership with Plug and Play – a Silicon Valley innovation platform for start-ups, corporations and investors.[24]

In 2019 and 2020, YOTEL opened its first hotels in London, Edinburgh, Istanbul, San Francisco, Washington DC, Park City with plans to open Porto, Glasgow and Miami in 2021. YOTEL plans to double its portfolio to 15,000 globally by 2030.

In July 2022, YOTEL announced plans to open its first hotel in Japan, a 244-room property in one of Tokyo's main shopping districts, Ginza.[25] In March 2023, YOTEL announced it would open its first YOTELPAD location outside of the U.S. in London, England. YOTELPAD London Stratford was opened in 2023 and will be the company’s seventh overall property in the U.K. and third in London joining locations in London City and London Shoreditch.[26]

The company now operates fifteen city centre hotels in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Washington DC, Miami, Park City, Singapore, Tokyo, Edinburgh, London (2), Amsterdam, Porto, Glasgow and Manchester, and six airport hotels in London Gatwick, Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris, Charles de Gaulle, Istanbul Airport (2), and Singapore Changi.

Description

[edit]

The YOTEL concept came about when the founder was on a first-class flight.[27] The team enlisted the help of aircraft cabin designers Priestman Goode to design and build a prototype room known as a 'cabin'.[28] The original prototype cabin was displayed at an exhibition called 100% Design in London.[29]

Hotels have self-check-in kiosks, convertible double beds, adjustable mood lighting and systems.[2] Furthermore, the New York hotel is home to the YOBOT, the world's first robotic luggage concierge.[30] The hotels in Boston[31] , Singapore[32] and Tokyo have delivery robots which take amenities to the rooms. These robots are programmed to negotiate lifts and corridors and they can interact with people.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
YOTEL is a British multinational company founded in 2004 by OBE, the creator of the YO! Sushi restaurant chain, which specializes in compact, technology-integrated accommodations inspired by the efficiency and luxury of first-class airline cabins. The company's innovative "cabin" rooms feature smart design elements such as adjustable beds, mood lighting, and high-speed , targeting travelers seeking affordable, efficient stays in urban and transit hub locations. YOTEL operates under three distinct brands—YOTEL for city-center s, YOTELAIR for properties, and YOTELPAD for extended-stay apartments—emphasizing sustainability through energy-efficient designs and partnerships for eco-friendly amenities. Headquartered in , , YOTEL opened its first property in 2007 at London Gatwick Airport, followed shortly by a second at Heathrow, marking the debut of its pod-style lodging concept in . By 2025, the company has expanded to 23 operating hotels across 16 global destinations, including major cities like New York, , and , as well as key airports in and . With 11 properties in development and ambitious plans to reach 15,000 rooms worldwide by 2030, YOTEL continues to grow through strategic partnerships and a focus on asset-light management models. The brand's challenges traditional by prioritizing guest empowerment via app-based services, personalized experiences, and a commitment to reducing environmental impact.

History

Inception and First Properties

Yotel was founded in 2004 by , the entrepreneur behind YO! Sushi, and Gerard Greene, who became the company's inaugural CEO. The concept originated from Woodroffe's upgrade to a first-class airline cabin, which sparked the vision of translating luxury travel elements into compact, affordable lodging suitable for urban environments and transit hubs. This innovative approach aimed to deliver high-quality, space-efficient accommodations at accessible prices, setting the stage for a new model in the . To bring the idea to life, Yotel formed an initial partnership with BAA plc, the operator of 's key airports, enabling development within terminal buildings. The first property launched on June 30, 2007, at London Gatwick Airport's South Terminal, comprising 46 cabins designed for quick, efficient stays. Just months later, on December 5, 2007, a second location opened at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4, featuring 32 cabins and incorporating self-service kiosks for seamless along with modular room layouts that optimized functionality in limited space. These airport-focused openings established Yotel's foundational emphasis on convenience for travelers with layovers or early flights. Yotel's early operations faced headwinds from the 2008 global financial crisis, which severely disrupted the travel sector through declining passenger numbers and tighter budgets. The company navigated these challenges by doubling down on its core model of short-stay transit accommodations, appealing to essential airport users less deterred by economic pressures on leisure and extended business trips. Standard cabins at these inaugural sites measured 7 square meters, equipped with essential amenities like adjustable smart beds and entertainment systems, and were priced from £25 for a minimum four-hour stay to ensure broad accessibility.

Global Expansion (2007-2020)

Yotel's global expansion began with its first venture outside the United Kingdom at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, which opened in September 2008 as the brand's third airport property following the initial launches at London Gatwick and Heathrow. This move marked the company's entry into continental Europe, leveraging its compact cabin design to cater to transit passengers in a secure airside location. The Amsterdam property featured 56 cabins and emphasized efficient, technology-driven stays, aligning with Yotel's core principles of affordable luxury in high-traffic airport environments. The brand's diversification into urban markets commenced in 2011 with the opening of its inaugural city hotel in New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, a 669-room property that adapted the cabin concept for longer stays in a dense metropolitan setting. Located near , this flagship urban hotel introduced features like larger premium cabins and communal spaces tailored to business and leisure travelers, signaling Yotel's shift from airport exclusivity to city-center accessibility. By adapting its to urban demands, Yotel established a blueprint for scalable growth in competitive markets. Expansion accelerated in 2017 with the debut of city hotels in on June 22 and on October 1, alongside the opening of YOTELAIR Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on November 8, 2016. The 326-cabin property targeted the innovative tech hub, while the 610-room hotel represented Yotel's Asian entry, developed in partnership with local investors like Hong Fok Corporation to tap into the region's tourism boom. These openings expanded the portfolio to include four airport and three city locations, demonstrating the brand's ability to replicate its model across diverse geographies. In 2018, Yotel launched the YOTELPAD brand, introducing serviced apartments for extended stays while retaining the smart design ethos of its core offerings. The first YOTELPAD property debuted in , on December 17, 2020, with 67 units offering kitchenettes and flexible leasing options near ski resorts, marking the brand's foray into residential-hybrid hospitality. The period from 2019 to 2020 saw rapid proliferation, with four new properties added in 2019, including the YOTEL in April, city hotels in (February), (August), and (November). 's 203-cabin on Market Street repurposed a historic building for tech-savvy guests, while 's 276-room site on Queen Street became the first European city-center opening outside airports. 's urban property complemented the airport site with 202 cabins in a northern neighborhood. In 2020, amid global challenges, Yotel opened City in on August 1 and on October 9, reaching approximately 11 properties by late 2019 and continuing growth into the year. Strategic partnerships fueled this phase, including a 2014 alliance with for up to $250 million in development funding to support 12 new properties by 2018 across , , and . These collaborations enabled site acquisitions and conversions, such as the Washington DC property's transformation from the former Liaison Capitol Hill hotel. By the end of 2020, Yotel's portfolio comprised six airport hotels and nine city properties, encompassing over 5,000 rooms worldwide and solidifying its position as a nimble player in the global hospitality landscape.

Recent Growth and Developments (2021-2025)

Following the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yotel accelerated its recovery through strategic property conversions and new openings in , including the debut of YOTEL Porto in May 2021 as the brand's first franchise in the , transforming an existing building into a 150-room in the . Similarly, YOTEL opened in May 2021 opposite , featuring 257 cabins and contactless technology to cater to urban travelers amid evolving health protocols. These launches marked Yotel's focus on adaptive, low-touch operations to rebuild occupancy in key markets. In 2024, Yotel expanded further with the opening of YOTEL Tokyo on December 16, its first property in through a partnership with Frasers Hospitality, located in a prime district site with 244 cabins emphasizing efficient design for business and leisure guests. The year also saw the European debut of YOTELPAD London Stratford in mid-2024, a 62-unit aparthotel offering flexible living spaces near , targeting extended-stay demand in a vibrant neighborhood. Additionally, Yotel advanced two European city hotels by June 2024, bolstering its presence in high-traffic urban areas. By early 2025, the Al-Bahar Group increased its stake in Yotel to over 95% through an additional 30% acquisition from a Starwood affiliate, providing capital to support aggressive growth and portfolio doubling to 15,000 rooms globally by 2030 via a mix of conversions, new builds, and partnerships. This infusion aligned with key milestones, including the planned opening of YOTEL in Saudi Arabia's Oxagon district in 2025 as the brand's entry, focusing on innovative urban development. Announcements for YOTEL in late 2026 and YOTEL Bangkok Sukhumvit by end-2025 further highlighted expansion into and Southeast Asia's dynamic markets. Yotel's strategic evolution included deeper franchising commitments, building on its first UK franchise with YOTEL Manchester Deansgate in November 2021 and extending to the U.S. with YOTELPAD Park City in 2020 as an early franchised model emphasizing resort-style efficiency. By mid-2025, Yotel operated 23 properties across 16 cities in , , and the U.S., supported by a pipeline of 11 hotels set to open within the next two years, prioritizing scalable growth in established and emerging destinations.

Ownership and Leadership

Major Shareholders

Yotel's ownership structure has evolved significantly since its inception, beginning with initial funding from its founders, , the creator of the YO! Sushi chain, and Gerard Greene, who served as the company's first CEO. The concept for Yotel emerged from Woodroffe's experience in first-class airline cabins, leading to the development of compact, innovative hotel rooms. Early investment came from the Al-Bahar Group, a Kuwait-based led by Talal Jassim Al-Bahar, which has been involved since its inception in 2005 and became its majority shareholder by 2013. In , a controlled affiliate of , now affiliated with Blackstone, made a strategic of $250 million in Yotel, acquiring a 30% stake to support global expansion, particularly in acquisitions and new property developments. This marked a key milestone in scaling the brand beyond its initial airport-focused model. Starwood's involvement provided capital for growth initiatives, though it did not alter the majority control held by Al-Bahar. As of 2025, the Al-Bahar Group holds more than 95% of Yotel following its acquisition of an additional 30% stake from the Starwood affiliate in April 2025, consolidating its dominant position. The remaining minority shares are held by United Investment Portugal and the Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT). The total valuation of Yotel remains undisclosed, though the 2025 transaction for the additional 30% stake was also for an undisclosed amount, reflecting strong investor confidence in the brand's trajectory. This ownership evolution under Al-Bahar's leadership has facilitated aggressive expansion, including a strategic focus on the , such as the development of Yotel's first property in within NEOM's Oxagon district, slated to open in 2027 as the inaugural hotel in that innovative industrial hub. The group's long-term commitment has enabled diversification into city-center hotels and condo-hotel formats while maintaining Yotel's core emphasis on technology-driven, efficient .

Executive Leadership

YOTEL was founded by entrepreneur , known for YO! Sushi, and Gerard Greene, who served as the initial CEO and helped develop the innovative cabin model inspired by first-class airline seating and Japanese capsule hotels. Greene led the company through its early years, overseeing the launch of the first properties at Gatwick and Heathrow airports in 2007. In 2014, Hubert Viriot joined as CEO, driving significant expansions including city-center hotels and the introduction of YOTELPAD condo-hotels; he held the role until September 2025, when he transitioned to Vice Chairman to support ongoing strategic growth. Phil Andreopoulos was appointed CEO in September 2025, bringing over 20 years of hospitality experience from senior roles at , including for Owner & Franchise Services in , the , Africa, and . Under his leadership, YOTEL aims to double its global portfolio to 15,000 rooms by 2030 through franchising and targeted expansions. Key executives include Rohan Thakkar, Chief Development Officer since 2022, who leads global growth initiatives and efforts, and Dipesh Joshi, VP of IT and Innovation, focusing on technological integrations like smart cabins and digital guest experiences. The leadership team emphasizes through practices such as energy-efficient designs and reduced carbon operations, aligning with YOTEL's "non-stop" ethos for dynamic travelers. Andreopoulos has prioritized markets in and to fuel this expansion.

Design and Innovations

Cabin Concept and Room Features

Yotel's cabin concept draws inspiration from the compact yet luxurious design of first-class cabins, aiming to provide efficient, high-quality accommodations in urban and airport settings. Founded by , the brand translates the space-saving elements of premium —such as multifunctional furniture and streamlined amenities—into hotel rooms known as "cabins," emphasizing everything essential without excess. This philosophy enables guests to enjoy a sense of indulgence in smaller footprints, with layouts optimized for both rest and productivity. At the heart of each cabin is the signature SmartBed™, an adjustable bed developed exclusively with Serta that converts from an upright sofa position to a full queen-sized bed at the touch of a button, freeing up floor space for a , seating, or movement. Standard features across cabins include color-changing mood lighting, flat-screen SMART TVs, rainfall showers, free high-speed , laptop-sized safes, , complimentary full-size toiletries, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Some properties offer additional perks like complimentary items in select cabins, enhancing the self-contained experience. These elements combine to create versatile, tech-integrated spaces that prioritize comfort and convenience. Cabins vary in size and configuration to suit different needs, typically ranging from 7 to 25 square meters. Standard cabins, often around 7-8 square meters, cater to solo travelers or short stays with limited storage and basic layouts. Premium cabins, measuring 13.5-18 square meters, provide more , often with views and enhanced amenities for couples or individuals seeking extra room. Larger options include suites up to 30 square meters, featuring separate living areas, king beds, and sometimes terraces or hot tubs for a more expansive feel. In YOTELAIR properties, cabins are adapted for brief 4- to 24-hour stays, focusing on quick refreshment with access to shared facilities. City hotels and YOTELPAD condo-hotels incorporate en-suite kitchens in select units, blending hotel functionality with residential elements. Yotel employs modular prefabricated construction for many properties, where cabins are built off-site in factories and assembled on location, reducing overall build time by approximately 30% and lowering costs while minimizing on-site disruption and waste. This approach, pioneered in projects like YOTEL Amsterdam, supports rapid scalability and adaptability across diverse sites, from airports to urban centers.

Technological and Sustainability Innovations

Yotel has integrated various technological features to streamline guest experiences and operations across its properties. Self-check-in kiosks, known as Self Service Stations, are available at all locations, allowing guests to complete , generate digital keys, request late check-outs, and order services like delivery through intuitive touch-screen interfaces operable 24/7. These kiosks facilitate contactless interactions, reducing wait times and enhancing efficiency. A hallmark of Yotel's tech-forward approach is its use of . The YOBOT robotic porter, first introduced at the New York Times Square property in 2011, automates luggage storage and retrieval in a secure, automated system capable of handling up to 500 pounds and processing around 300 pieces daily during peak periods. While primarily featured in New York, similar robotic assistants have expanded to support operations elsewhere. Complementing this, delivery robots for —such as YO2D2 in , Yoshi and Yolanda in since 2018, and advanced models in Ginza since its 2024 opening—transport amenities like towels, newspapers, and beverages directly to cabins, navigating elevators and hallways autonomously. The Yotel further personalizes stays through keyless entry via SmartKey technology, enabling seamless , room access, and control of in-cabin features without physical keys. It also supports service requests and digital concierge functions, integrating with property systems for customized experiences. In 2018, Yotel partnered with , a Silicon Valley-based innovation platform, to collaborate with startups on , fostering advancements in solutions like enhanced digital and operational efficiencies. On the sustainability front, emphasizes resource conservation through efficient systems and practices. All employ energy-efficient paired with sensors for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and illumination, minimizing unnecessary consumption while maintaining guest comfort. Water-saving fixtures, including showerheads and taps that are 45% more efficient than standard models, contribute to significant reductions in usage, alongside policies for changing and towels only upon request to lower laundry-related water and energy demands. Waste reduction initiatives align with zero-single-use-plastic goals, featuring pump-action, recyclable toiletry dispensers instead of bottled amenities, complimentary reusable water bottles, and stations to eliminate plastic bottles. Properties prioritize of decomposable and reusable materials, provide recycled-paper , and adopt a minimal-paper policy with digital communications and menus. Yotel's prefabricated modular cabin construction, which allows for up to 50% more rooms per site using durable materials, reduces on-site waste and emissions by enabling factory-controlled assembly and shorter build times compared to traditional methods. Overall, these efforts support Yotel's commitment to lowering its global through ongoing operational and design optimizations.

Locations and Operations

YOTELAIR Airport Properties

YOTELAIR is Yotel's specialized for hotels, tailored for travelers in transit hubs with a focus on efficiency, comfort, and seamless integration into terminal layouts. These properties emphasize short-term stays through flexible hourly or half-day booking options, enabling quick check-ins for early arrivals, late departures, or layovers without leaving the secure area where applicable. Operating 24/7, YOTELAIR cabins provide a compact yet functional inspired by first-class seating, prioritizing rest and productivity for time-constrained passengers. The operations of YOTELAIR properties center on supporting stays, typically averaging 6-8 hours per guest, with amenities designed to refresh and recharge during disruptions. Guests benefit from shared lounges for relaxation or work, high-speed , and on-site showers, while some locations offer shuttle transfers within the or partnerships for seamless handling. features, such as energy-efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures, align with the brand's eco-conscious approach, ensuring minimal environmental impact in high-traffic environments. Pricing starts from around $50-100 for four-hour blocks, varying and , making it accessible for budget-conscious transit users. As of November 2025, YOTELAIR operates in key international airports, adapting its cabin concept to airside or landside positions for optimal accessibility. The following table summarizes major current locations, including opening years and cabin counts:
Airport LocationOpening YearNumber of CabinsPosition
London Gatwick (South Terminal)200746Landside
London Heathrow (Terminal 4)200732Landside
Amsterdam Schiphol (Lounge 2)200857Airside
Paris Charles de Gaulle (Terminal 2E, Gate L)201680Airside
(New Airport, landside and airside)2019451 (combined)Both
(Jewel, between Terminals 1 & 2)2019130Landside
The Istanbul Airport properties represent YOTELAIR's largest cluster, with the landside YOTEL (277 cabins) located before passport control on the departures level near entrance 7 and counter P, and the airside YOTELAIR (174 cabins) situated after passport control in the duty-free zone, which requires a boarding pass for an international flight. Both locations operate 24/7 and offer cabin rooms featuring beds, showers, Wi-Fi, and TVs, with a minimum 4-hour booking requirement. Amenities include restaurants, a gym (primarily at the landside location), and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, with bookings available via yotel.com or email to [email protected]. These facilities collectively serve transit passengers at one of the world's busiest hubs, which handled over 80 million passengers in 2024 and supports efficient operations for millions in layovers annually.

YOTEL City Hotels

YOTEL City Hotels form the core of the brand's urban portfolio, tailored for metropolitan environments and appealing to both business and leisure travelers seeking efficient, tech-forward stays. These properties blend compact, innovative room designs with full-service amenities, including gyms for fitness enthusiasts and bars for social interaction, fostering a vibrant atmosphere in high-energy city settings. As of November 2025, YOTEL operates city hotels across major global hubs, with key examples including its flagship in New York (Hell's Kitchen, opened 2011), followed by expansions in (2017), (2017), (2019), (2019), (2021), (2021), (2021), (2022), (2020), (2020), (2023), (2021), and the recent Tokyo Ginza (late 2024), alongside a pipeline for (2026). represents a significant share of this portfolio, bolstered by the 2023 opening that strengthened the brand's foothold in the U.S. South. Operations at these urban properties emphasize short-term visits, with average stays typically ranging from 2 to 3 nights in high-demand markets like New York, accommodating transient guests with quick check-ins and flexible bookings. Properties feature city-specific adaptations such as rooftop terraces offering panoramic views in New York and co-working spaces designed for productivity in locations like and , enhancing appeal for hybrid business-leisure demographics. Revenue streams extend beyond accommodations to include events in dedicated meeting areas and food and beverage services at on-site bars and dining venues, contributing to overall financial diversification.

YOTELPAD Condo-Hotels

YOTELPAD represents Yotel's extended-stay , functioning as hybrid condo-hotels that blend private residential ownership with comprehensive hotel services. Owners can acquire units through full purchase or models, enabling personal use, long-term residency, or participation in managed rental programs for income generation. Standard features in each unit include fully equipped kitchenettes for self-catering and in-unit laundry facilities, promoting a home-like while leveraging Yotel's efficient, space-optimizing principles. The emphasizes affordability and flexibility, appealing to seasonal residents such as skiers and snowboards in settings or urban professionals seeking extended urban living. Operations under YOTELPAD involve professional management by Yotel, including daily housekeeping, maintenance, and optional services through the hotel's booking system, which allows owners to offset costs when not in residence. This model supports a mix of owner-occupied and transient use, with communal amenities like gyms, co-working spaces, and rooftop terraces enhancing the lifestyle appeal. Targeted at markets with high demand for seasonal or prolonged stays, properties are strategically located near key attractions, such as ski lifts in mountain resorts, to maximize utility for niche demographics. For instance, in , the focus on enthusiasts drives occupancy during peak seasons. As of November 2025, operational YOTELPAD locations include the inaugural property in , which opened in December 2020 with 144 condominium units and operates under a franchised model at the base of . YOTELPAD , , launched in 2022 as a 31-story mixed-use tower with 231 residential units integrated alongside 222 rooms, situated in the downtown entertainment district. Marking the brand's European debut, YOTELPAD Stratford opened in July 2024, featuring 62 apartment-style units in with live-work-play configurations. Upcoming projects in the pipeline include YOTELPAD , expected in 2026, to serve the Swiss lakeside region. Global expansion efforts in 2025 have accelerated YOTELPAD's footprint, with plans targeting through undisclosed markets and mixed-use developments, such as the hybrid YOTEL and YOTELPAD project set for 2028 in a major urban redevelopment. Additional pipelines include YOTELPAD opening in 2026 with 113 units. By late 2025, the brand has developed over 500 residential units across its properties, underscoring its growth in the condo-hotel sector.

References

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