Flourishing Yotel sets an example
If the Japanese pod hotel concept spreads to North America, it will be largely because of Yotel CEO Gerard Greene.
He said in interviews he wants to develop up to eight US properties.
His company recently announced it had acquired a $250 million estate fund with several financial backers including IFA Hotels and Resorts.
Currently, there’s only one Yotel in the US. It’s the 559-room Yotel on the west side of Manhattan. The average daily rate is $200, says the New York Times. Hotel officials say the occupancy rate recently was set at 80%.
The other Yotel hotels are at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports, and Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.
Greene says his next US location should be Boston. He told HotelNewsNow.com that he hasn’t secured a location yet, but that he plans to have it ready to open in two years.
He also told the site that he expects to open a property in Chicago. Other major US markets he’s eyeing: Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Greene expressed surprise that other chains have not responded with smaller, cheaper rooms that appeal typically to younger travelers.
By David Wilkening
David
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