YOTEL, a technology-focused hospitality brand, is set to embark on significant international growth plans from next year which will see 12 new YOTEL branded hotels open by 2018. YOTEL, which first opened its doors in 2007, has four sites already in operation – one city centre New York hotel, complete with luggage-storing robot (Yobot), and three airport hotels, situated in London Gatwick, London Heathrow & Amsterdam Schiphol. Each location offers convenient and affordable yet luxurious accommodation to tech-savvy travellers.
Amongst the new launches will be two new airport hotels in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (2016) and Singapore Changi Airport (2018). City hotel launches currently under development include San Francisco, Boston, Miami, Williamsburg Brooklyn, Singapore and Dubai. There will also be other significant investments in Western Europe with new locations to be announced shortly in both London and Geneva.
Over recent years, the hotel and hospitality industry has seen great change, with many major operators changing to asset-light business models and the emergence of players within the share economy such as Airbnb. As with all its existing hotel locations, YOTEL will maintain its own asset-light strategy with these new launches, working with long-term third party investors in each location who understand the value of the YOTEL brand and its service offer. YOTEL will continue to innovate within the market to provide guests with seamless, technology-driven experiences that rival its peer-to-peer competitors.
Hubert Viriot, CEO, YOTEL explains: “Over recent years, we have marked out a clear and unique offer in the global hospitality marketplace, growing a loyal customer-base from around the world. We have big intentions for our brand over the next 12-18 months, looking to grow the number of rooms under management by over 250% by 2018 and I am confident that by working closely with our experienced partners and investors, we will enter new markets and continue to cater to the modern, tech-savvy global traveller of today.”
He continued: “As with all our existing hotels, we will maintain our focus on innovative design and technology, striving to provide a superior, seamless and intuitive experience for our guests and to ensure each of our hotels has a sense of individuality that complements the local area in which they are built.”
Brainchild of YO! Sushi founder Simon Woodroffe, the brand’s cabins are inspired by first class plane travel, taking the concept of luxury airline travel into small but luxurious spaces. As the first hotel brand to replace traditional reception desks with self-service airline style kiosks and an hourly booking system YOTEL invests significantly in new technologies to drive a seamless guest experience. These new hotels will also tap in to the growing trend of co-working, providing guests with spaces to collaborate and work, as well as relax, exercise and socialise. This aesthetic will also include YOTEL’s signature space-saving SmartBed, ‘techno wall’ and monsoon rain showers.
