Firm to rent out sleep pods to hotels
A newly launched company claims it can help hotels boost business by allowing them to rent out sleep pods for just an hour or two.
Podtime intends to provide space for guests to rest their heads for forty winks, without having to hire a room overnight.
"Quite a few hotels will easily find the space for half a dozen pods, and they won't impact on overnight stays because they would be for a limited time," said hotelier Paul Grindrod (pictured right), who founded the business with mechanical engineer Jon Gray (left), the designer of the pods.
"They'd be cheap to operate as the hotel would run them through reception as a normal room, but without the associated costs usually involved in serving a room. Cleaning is a quick wipe-down of the vinyl-covered mattress with an anti-bacterial spray and a paper towel."
Grindrod, who owns two hotels - Grange Lodge and Abbey Lodge in Ealing, west London - said the pods would benefit hotels on major roads who could market the product to drivers needing a break from their journey, or city-centre hotels where people were looking to take a power nap.
The cost of a single sleep pod is £1,750.
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By Janet Harmer
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