YOTEL unveiled in Dubai

YOTEL, the world’s most revolutionary hotel concept, was one of the  highlights of the Middle East’s leading travel and tourism show, Arabian  Travel Market (ATM) 2006, held in Dubai from May 2 to May 5.  A prototype of the radical YOTEL project was unveiled at the event for  the first time in the Middle East. 

YOTEL was created by YO! Everything founder Simon Woodroffe  and YOTEL CEO Gerard Greene. The idea originally came to Simon  after he was upgraded to first class on a British Airways flight to the  Middle East; he decided to translate the language of luxury airline travel  into a small capsule-style hotel, which Gerard Greene evolved into  today’s reality. 

Woodroffe said: “YOTEL is poised to take the hospitality industry by  storm. After more than three years of hard work, we have created a  totally new concept, which has the potential to transform the hotel  industry forever. It really took a quantum leap to create what we believe  offers travellers aspirational luxury at an affordable price.” 

YOTEL, a cross between Japanese capsule hotels and business-class air  travel, will open its first two ‘cabin’ hotels at London Heathrow and  London Gatwick airports in November 2006, following a major  investment by IFA Hotels & Resorts. At London Heathrow, a 40-cabin  YOTEL will open within Terminal 4, while at London Gatwick, a 50-cabin  YOTEL will open within the South Terminal building following a unique  agreement with the British Airports Authority (BAA). 

Woodroffe is the creator of the worldwide restaurant phenomenon YO!  Sushi and is a well-known UK entrepreneur following his stint as a  ‘dragon’ on the popular UK BBC2 television series, ‘Dragons’ Den’ where  aspiring entrepreneurs vie for support from established business people.  He and Gerard Greene travelled from London to take part in ATM 2006  and showcase their groundbreaking venture. 

Greene said: “With YOTEL, we want to shake things up in the travel  industry. It is all about thinking outside the box and creating a value-formoney,  yet high design, hip product that travellers desire. YOTEL will be  the iPod of the hotel industry.” 

Talal Jassim Al Bahar said: “It’s very exciting to have showcased the YOTEL  concept for the first time in the Middle East and we are on the look out  for locations where this innovative hotel can be developed for the  regional market.We are in the midst of extensive negotiations with  strategic international airports worldwide at the moment and will be  announcing the outcome of these during the course of the year. Dubai is  a strategic hub for international travellers and we are exploring  opportunities to locate a YOTEL in this exciting market.”