Designer hotel: BenBo living pods

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DESIGNER HOTEL

Paul Morris checks out a new space-saver designer hotel in Naples.

I looked recently at the digital clock that ticks away displaying the world population – it’s heading rapidly toward the 7.5 billion mark. Designers and architects the world over are rising to the challenge of making better use of our urban space. We have to live in smaller spaces but that doesn’t mean they can’t be cool.

Meet BenBo (Bed and Boarding), Italy’s first capsule hotel. Dorelan and DorelanHotel, the company’s contract division selected to provide high-quality rest for the guests of 42 capsule rooms opened in January at the International Airport Napoli Capodichino. Their shared mission is to offer value to time, comfort and rest.

BenBo is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The designer hotel was conceived of by marketing manager Carlotta Tartarone and designed by Studiotre of Naples, and it is composed of a series of autonomous ‘living pods’ developed over 1,130 square metres. The 42 single-bed rooms measure 4 square meters each and feature soundproof walls, automatic doors, room-darkening window blinds, a reclining table, mirror, clothes hanger and shoe rack.

Comfort has been paramount in shaping the project: guests sleep on Brera mattresses and Feel pillows, which were developed by DorelanHotel for the contract sector and were made to be highly resistant, long-lasting, anatomically supportive and crush-proof. Recent tests demonstrate that the LFK spring system on the Brera mattress is able to support heavy, continuous mechanical stress better than any other suspension system.

Other perks include 16 single bathrooms with showers, multi-lingual staff at the reception desk open 24 hours per day, and a winter garden with a smoking lounge. And, of course, Wi-Fi is omnipresent. The structures boast architectural solutions and materials chosen for their low environmental impact. The pods are fully assembled prior to transport and are made of non-flammable wooden material. Prices: €8 for the first hour and €7 from the second hour during the day and €25 nine night hours.
www.dorelan.it
www.bedandboarding.com