I love staying in capsule hotels, they bring an element of privacy that traditional hostels don’t, and inspired by the Japanese (who else), some come with all sorts of flashy extras like cool mood lighting, and sometimes even temperature controls which I use to cool my pod down in the summer months.
Born from the traditional Japanese intent to prioritise logistics and practicality, capsule hotels are all about efficiency and conscious use of space, allowing for lower costs for both businesses and customers without compromising on design and comfort. They’re the next big thing in budget travel.
Unsurprisingly, places like Los Angeles and New York are jumping on the bandwagon far more quickly than other parts of the country, and let’s be honest, this definitely tracks when we think about fads and phases. Yes, we’re looking at you, LA folks, with your smash burgers and CrossFit memberships. Both trends we can get behind, but fast and free nonetheless.
Capsule hotels are offering budget-conscious travellers an efficient, space-saving alternative to traditional hotels. While these tiny, pod-like accommodation options are still far from mainstream in America, they’re definitely gaining traction all around the country. Here are some of our favourites that either myself or another member of the Broke Backpacker team have stayed at!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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In a Rush: My Picks For The Best Capsule Hotels in the USA
STAY OPEN Venice Beach
- > $$
- > Beachfront access
- > Central location near several attractions
- > Beautiful ocean views
Meco Hotel
- > $
- > Ice skating and boating nearby
- > Multiple pod, dorm and bathroom options
- > Super central
Moxy NYC Times Square
- > $$$
- > Views of the Empire State Building
- > Breakfast available
KAMA Hotel Central Park
- > $
- > Very central location in central NYC
- > Stand-up comedy nights
- > On-site restaurant
Yotel Boston
- > $$$
- > Sea views
- > Two different restaurants on site
- > Co-working space
In Detail: The 5 Best Capsule Hotels in the USA
Personal preference is essential when it comes to making judgements on accommodation options, no matter what niche you’re looking at. However, having said that, there are still some aspects of hotels and pod hotels in particular that are objectively good and bad. Here are the best capsule hotels that Uncle Sam has to offer.
1. STAY OPEN Venice Beach (Los Angeles) | Best Overall Capsule Hotel
- Price: $
- Best for: Social backpackers looking to make new friends
- Highlights: Beachfront access and free yoga classes
- Dorm (mixed): From $86
- Address: 11 Brooks Avenue Unit B, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CA 90291, United States
For beach lovers and sun chasers, STAY OPEN Venice Beach is hands down the best capsule hotel in the USA.
Striking the perfect balance between hip and trendy, on the one hand, and comfortable and homely on the other, this seaside pod hotel is my choice for a swanky hostel in the USA.
There’s plenty to do both at the hotel – from yoga and fitness classes to film evenings – and nearby. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even use one of the hotel’s bicycles and explore the area as you please.
Overall, STAY OPEN Capsule Hotel is all about soaking up the Los Angeles lifestyle, chilling out with like-minded individuals and enjoying your time however you choose.
Here’s why you’ll love this hotel:
- BBQ facilities: You can buy some meat from the supermarket and cook it on the barbie here. Nice touch!
- Free laundry: Everything in the USA seems to cost around half of Elon’s net worth, so getting your clothes washed for free is a lovely touch.
- Air conditioning: Trust me, this is a real blessing when it gets hot here.
Offering direct access to the beach, this hotel is absolutely perfect for anyone who enjoys soaking up some rays, whether you want to spend all day tanning on the beach or strolling on the iconic Venice Beach boardwalk, just an eight-minute walk away.
Of course, if you don’t want to go anywhere at all, the hotel has its own private terrace, so you can lap up the sunshine without leaving the property. And, if you’re in the mood to socialise, you can hang out in one of the common areas – there’s a lounge, a shared kitchen and an outdoor seating area too.
In terms of location, it simply couldn’t be more convenient. Within minutes of multiple beaches (Santa Monica Beach is also less than a mile away) as well as the LA International Airport, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
2. Meco Hotel (Boston) | Best Budget Capsule Hotel
- Price: $
- Best for: Being near the top attractions
- Highlights: Nearby ice skating
- Dorm (mixed): From $107
- Address: 234 Friend Street, West End, Boston, MA 02114, United States
Considering the fact that Meco Hotel is located in Central Boston with plenty of attractions and transport options nearby, this is a great place to stay if you’re looking for bang for your buck when backpacking Boston.
There are also plenty of different options in terms of bed and pod arrangements, depending on whether or not you’re travelling alone if you want privacy or are happy in a dormitory and how much you’re willing to spend.
Why you’ll love this hotel:
- Easy airport access: It will only take 10 minutes to reach this place from the airport. In fact, it would take under an hour to walk.
- Shared lounge: Capsule hostels generally suit quiet people over those looking to socialise; however, the lounge here makes it easy to meet new friends!
- Great Wi-Fi: As a digital nomad, I highly valued the fast Wi-Fi connection here, plus there were a few small workspaces to get stuff done.
Located in Boston’s West End area, Meco Hotel couldn’t really offer a more convenient location. It’s a two-minute walk from Boston North Station and 2.5 miles from Logan Airport, so in terms of practicality, it’s nice and easy to get to and from wherever you need to go.
And, for those using the hotel as a base while visiting Boston on holiday, there are plenty of great attractions really nearby – including Old North Church, TD Garden, Boston Common, Old State House, the Freedom Trail, and Old Chapel and Burial Ground.
Ultimately, the hotel’s affordability and central location make it perfect for plenty of different travellers, including tourists wanting to see the area as well as business people passing through and needing a nice, budget-friendly place to crash for a few nights.
3. Pod 51 (New York City) | Best Party Capsule Hotel
- Price: $$$
- Best for: Staying in Central New York on a (by local standards) lower budget
- Highlights: The roof terrace overlooking NYC
- Dorm (mixed): From $158
- Address: 230 East 51st Street, Midtown East, New York, NY 10022, United States
Located in Midtown Manhattan, Pod 51 is a great place to enjoy a comfortable stay with plenty of amenities, as well as a few options to be social and meet fellow guests.
Radio City Music Hall is a ten-minute walk away, with Times Square 20 minutes and St. Patrick’s Cathedral just around the corner, making Pod 51 pretty much as central as it gets. If you’re looking for a wild ‘ol time in the big city, Pod 51 certainly puts you in the middle of the noise.
This is why you’re sure to love this hotel:
- Insane rooftop terrace: This is the cheapest half-decent place you’ll find in NYC with incredible rooftop views overlooking the city. Sure, this isn’t what a broke backpacker would normally pay, but you’re in central New York here, buddy.
- Free activities: The hostel arranges free things for guests to enjoy, including 3 daily walking tours.
- An on-site lounge/restaurant: The Clifton Lounge serves up traditional American cuisine. No, not McNuggets, but bagels, burgers, pizza and more.
Speaking of convenience, the hotel also has multilingual concierge staff who are not only super friendly and helpful, but also organise and offer daily tours so you can get the most out of your New York itinerary.
The rooms are modern and comfortable, offering each guest a safe and Wi-Fi, while the private rooms also have iPod docking stations and flat-screen TVs With two restaurants and bars in the building, grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a chilled dinner is as easy as pie.
4. KAMA Hotel Central Park (New York City) | Best for Solo Travellers
- Price: $
- Best for: Solo travellers and couples
- Highlights: The location near Central Park
- Dorm (mixed): From $96
- Address: 36 West 106TH St., West Wing, Upper West Side, New York, NY 10025, United States
While travelling alone is and can be absolutely amazing, there are several different things that can make or break your trip – one of those being your accommodation. Not only do you want to feel safe and comfortable, but it’s also always great if the environment is conducive to meeting other travellers as well as getting around the location easily, and at KAMA Hotel Central Park I felt exactly that.
The hotel has a variety of different options depending on what kind of room you want – particularly nice is that you can choose from single-sex or mixed dorms. Also, there are a few different common areas where you can spend time and get to know other peeps solo travelling the States, including a lounge, a terrace, and a garden.
Why you’ll love this hotel:
- Daily housekeeping service: Hostels can be a bit grotty at times with some guests that don’t show much respect… so it’s welcome that all rooms and common areas are cleaned daily to a good standard here.
- Shared kitchen: No need to spend $4,500,000 on dinner (or however much it costs with inflation) when you can cook right here. I don’t like dirty hostel kitchens, but if you wanna save money…
- Comedy nights: Personally, I didn’t attend this when I stayed here, but I met some girls who said it was hilarious, so definitely something to consider checking out.
The hotel’s location is also absolutely prime, less than two kilometres from Central Park, 7 miles from LaGuardia Airport, and both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and New York’s famous Strawberry Fields are nearby. There’s even an ice-skating rink close by, so if you’re there in winter, you may even be able to make your Hallmark fantasies a reality.
Another massive bonus, especially in a city like New York, is that the hotel has both air conditioning and heating, so it’s sure to be comfortable both in the summer and winter months.
5. Nap York Central Sleep Station (New York City) | Best for Digital Nomads
- Price: $
- Best for: Digital nomads looking for an affordable NYC bed and a decent workspace
- Highlights: Bike hire options
- Dorm (mixed): From $86
- Private Room: From $263
- Address: 940 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019, United States
Nap York Central Sleep Stations certainly sounds like it’s going to be a good place for backpackers in New York to get some shut-eye, and let me tell you, it lives up to its name. The pods and bathrooms are modern and sophisticated, giving off a calm yet serene vibe that just makes you want to get cosy and climb into bed.
Why you’ll love this hotel:
- Great location: It’s just 3 blocks away from Central Park. Considering the price, that’s insane value for NYC.
- Social atmosphere: Digital nomad-friendly hostels can be in danger of remaining quiet workspaces only, but I found it fairly easy to make friends here.
- Fast and free Wi-Fi: Whilst free Wi-Fi is fairly standard these days, a fast connection for getting work done is much more of a luxury, and it’s one that Nap York has to offer.
The hotel is only 6.5 miles from LaGuardia Airport, and in terms of attractions, it’s within a short walk of both the Rockefeller Center and the Museum of Modern Art, with Carnegie Hall and Times Square both just a few minutes’ walk away too. It’s perfect for digital nomads looking to hit the town and scout out their favourite co-working spaces and cafes, as there’s a ton within walking distance.
For added convenience, Nap York also offers a luggage storage service, full-day security at the hotel, as well as access to a shared lounge and kitchen.
FAQs on the Best Capsule Hotels in the USA
Still got a few questions about staying in a capsule hotel here? Well, I’ve put together this list just for you!
Getting Insured BEFORE Travelling to the USA
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to the USA. It’s a massive country full of potential for things to go wrong, especially with adventurous terrain in the national parks, and the (admittedly tiny) chance of being caught in the crossfire of America’s gun culture. Get insured!
Sort out your insurance before you go. There are several good options, but our overall pick is SafetyWing. Most of the Broke Backpacker team has used it at one point or another, and we’ve filed claims for rabies jabs in Bali, a hospital stay in Mexico, and a clinic visit for a stomach bug that wouldn’t quit. All paid out.
It’s month-to-month, no lock-in, no itinerary required, and you can buy it after you’ve already left. A little over $2 a day if you’re under 40.
New SafetyWing customers: use code BROKEBACKPACKER for 8 free weeks of electronics theft coverage. You have to scroll down and click the pink camera on their landing page to enter it, and you have to do it before creating your account.
Click here to find the ideal policy for you.
Still Unsure Which USA Capsule Hotel’s Right For You?
I found that capsule hotels are more likely to be found in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles than smaller areas for now. But generally these trends tend to start in the major hotspots, and spread out over time.
Capsule hotels in the US aren’t quite as techy as those in Japan. But they do offer quieter spaces than traditional hostels do. In the US, they rarely offer a wild party scene, and are generally more suitable for travellers who want some peace and quiet.
If you want my pick for the best one, I’d say STAY OPEN Venice Beach is great. You can close the doors on the pods, so it’s kinda like a private room (albeit without much space), but the real perk for me was the fact that Venice Beach is literally on the doorstep!
This is definitely a fun little concept though, so unless you’re looking for wild parties, I highly recommend staying in a capsule for a few nights!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- Our in-depth backpacking USA guide has all the essential info for your trip.
- You’ll also wanna stay in the best hostels in the USA too!
- Backpackers and frugal travellers can use our budget travel guide.
- And get yourself covered with good travel insurance!
