Whether born out of practicality or preference, the tiny home trend can be traced back over several centuries and cultures. From traditional Mongolian 'gers' and Romani wagons to modern shipping container conversions and remote cabins, small living spaces are often said to help us retreat, relax and recalibrate. The same can be said for tiny hotel rooms, which become our own personal sanctuaries for as long as we're in them. In this gallery, we highlight some of the world’s most delightful dinky bedrooms you can stay in.
Click through this gallery for incredible images of tiny hotel rooms to add to your bucket list…
The world’s first micro hotel, Capsule Inn Osaka opened in 1979. Originally designed to save businessmen burning the midnight oil in the city an early-morning commute home, the capsule hotel’s concept of tiny rooms – barely bigger than a drawer in a morgue – soon caught on with tourists too. Architect Kisho Kurokawa’s revolutionary, space-saving sleep pods come equipped with a TV, radio, personal light, comfy bedding and clean indoor clothes, while access to shower rooms, luggage lockers and even a spa is also included. Note that this hotel only caters to male guests.
Suspended above Vancouver Island’s rainforest floor like oversized fruit, Free Spirit Spheres bills itself "the most unique accommodation in the world". There are currently three bauble-like treehouses to choose from when you book: the Luna Sphere, the Melody Sphere and the Eryn Sphere. Each has a diameter of just 10.5 feet (3.2m), so they’re certainly cosy, but the five circular windows framing the ethereal forest outside (and the compost loo located at the base of your tree) ensure you’re always connected to nature.
Parked up next to a watering hole in the Onguma Nature Reserve, on the edge of Etosha National Park, this stunning accommodation – a reworked safari vehicle – offers guests a bucket-list experience in the Namibian bush. You’ll arrive just in time for sunset drinks, followed by a luxurious picnic dinner dropped off by Onguma’s chef before a romantic night under the Milky Way. The Dream Cruiser has a shower, flush toilet and wash basin on the lower level, and a four-poster canopy bed and lounge area on the upper level. A ranger is only a radio call away should you want for anything.
If IKEA designed hotel rooms for adults inspired by its whimsical children’s beds, then we think the result would look something like CHO Stay. Located near Taoyuan International Airport on the outskirts of Taipei, this modern, tea-themed capsule hotel provides bunk beds in single-gender dorms and double beds in mixed dorms. Each dinky room comes with a desk/bedside table, free wifi, privacy blinds and space to hang a few items of clothing. There are shared bathroom facilities with Dyson hair-dryers and complimentary toiletries too.
These gravity-defying glass cocoons cling to a cliffside above the fabled Sacred Valley of Cusco, where majestic condors make their nests among rocky crevices. Opened in June 2013 as the world’s first 'hanging lodge', Skylodge’s Adventure Suites can sleep up to eight people in four beds. Each transparent suite, crafted out of aerospace aluminium and weather-resistant polycarbonate, also has its own dining area and private bathroom. To earn your night at Skylodge, guests must navigate 1,312 feet (400m) of precipitous via ferrata or hike 40 minutes to the start of the zipline that whisks you to the door.
Created out of repurposed concrete sewer pipes painted in sweet-shop colours, the Tubo Hotel La Tatacoa sticks out like a sore thumb from its gold and green desert surroundings. It shouldn’t work, yet somehow the fluorescent pods contrast against the dusty ground and cactus-speckled slopes and make for the perfect oasis. The 37 tubular rooms each come with a double bed, air conditioning and blackout curtains, while the shared pool, bar and garden gives the place an inviting sense of community and camaraderie.
A slice of calm and quiet in the busy ward of Shinjuku, Book and Bed’s concept is "a bookstore where you can stay". Around 4,000 volumes line the shelves of the hostel’s large book lounge, where you can cosy up for a good read or mingle with fellow bookworms. The basic bunk-style rooms come with either a single or double bed snuggled into a wooden hideaway between the bookshelves. You’ve got a safety deposit box, free wifi access and earplugs if you need them, and pyjamas can also be rented if you’re travelling light.
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As the only resort with central access to both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, East Zion Resort is the go-to glamping spot for travellers who love the outdoors as much as they love life’s little luxuries. There are a number of fun-size accommodation types, from yurts to Airstreams, but we think the mirror houses deserve a special mention. Designed to blend into their spectacular surroundings, they debuted in April 2024 and contain king beds, en suite bathrooms and kitchen amenities. Outside you’ve got a private patio, complete with fire pit and barbecue grill. Alternatively, wander down the hill where the pool and hot tubs await.
Nestled amid the leafy landscape of West Sweden, the idea for these clear-walled cabins grew out of a scientific study from 2017. Five international participants with very high-pressure jobs were housed in custom-built glass cabins for three days and left to live off-grid in the Swedish wilderness, as close to nature as they could get. After those 72 hours, they all exhibited lower blood pressure, stress levels and heart rate, as well as greater creativity. Now anyone can book a stay in a so-called 72 Hour Cabin – this one overlooks tranquil Lake Iväg.
Sleeping two adults, these timber beach pods on the shores of Port Phillip Bay promise sweeping panoramas and are the perfect place to unwind. The pods, each fitted with a queen-size bed, en suite bathroom and kitchenette, are intimate without feeling cramped. The private porch on your doorstep was seemingly made with warm evenings and chilled wine in mind, while the bay’s stretch of sugary sand is mere steps from your room.
Travelling on a budget but don’t fancy sharing a dormitory? Berlin’s Space Night Capsule Hostel might be your ideal middle ground. Unlike your typical hostel, this property swaps out tightly-packed dorms crammed with bunk beds for individual private sleeping capsules that echo the interior of a spaceship. The slim rooms hold a mixture of single and double beds, are illuminated with ultraviolet light and feature an on-theme mirror that could almost be a window into infinity. There’s free wifi, communal bathroom facilities and great proximity to attractions like Checkpoint Charlie and the Gendarmenmarkt.
Aptly-named Piccolo is the tiniest room type at the Grand Universe Lucca, the only luxury hotel located in this walled city’s historic heart. Intended for solo travellers, the single room has everything you need and nothing you don’t, making it a fab base to retreat to after an adventure-packed day of pounding Lucca’s charming streets. Like the delicate wind instrument that gives the room its name, Piccolo is small and elegant, with a plush feather bed, en suite bathroom with aromatherapy toiletries and access to Netflix on the TV.
Any skier will know how quickly the cost of a trip to the slopes can mount up. But in the popular Canadian resort of Whistler, there’s a fun accommodation option that combines a hostel price tag with the comfort, convenience and design credentials of a hotel. At Pangea Pod Hotel the rooms are little private dens that you can withdraw to for some well-earned peace and decompression. The side-entry pods (pictured) feel the most spacious and are the hotel’s first recommendation for couples. Book early to snag one though, as they sell out fast.
A firm favourite among discerning city-breakers, The Hoxton hotel chain has long been synonymous with affordable chic. Its dinkiest room category, the Shoebox, is offered at several outposts on both sides of the Atlantic, including Paris (pictured), Portland, Vienna, Rome and three of the brand’s four London properties. Don’t be put off by the small footprint of these rooms – the name is deliberately self-deprecating. By managing your expectations about its slight square footage, the Shoebox blows you away with exquisite mid-century style and thoughtful design.
These minimalist escapes interpret the word 'bedroom' very literally. Inside each of Lynæs Surfcenter’s five beachside Surfshacks, a double bed gobbles up the space from wall to wall. But with a huge window looking out onto the wind-whipped Lynæs Strand, bringing the outside in, the cabins feel both cosy and at one with the elements. If you can tear yourself away from the crisp sheets and stunning views across the fjord, why not head for a sauna or surf session?
This family of 13 Japanese capsule hotels has a unique concept, limiting room rental to just the nine hours deemed essential to wind down at the end of the day. Allowing an hour for washing, seven hours for sleeping and one hour for dressing, a stay at 9h nine hours is purely about the necessity and quality of rest – there's nothing superfluous here. At five of the franchise's outposts, guests can also opt in for a 'sleep fitscan', which tracks heart rate, checks for sleep apnea and monitors snoring to provide a detailed analysis of your snooze.
Dainty and diminutive, The Nook is the newest room category at The Leinster, an opulent 5-star hotel in the centre of Georgian Dublin. Specifically designed for solo travellers, this compact and bijou bolthole features a single bed with an embroidered floral headboard, thick dotted carpets and plenty of natural light. It may be The Leinster's littlest room, but that doesn't mean it scrimps on anything other than square footage – expect a curated mini bar, en suite power-shower and lavish toiletries to pamper yourself with.
An igloo in a vineyard? Anything is possible when your hotel room puts the glam into glamping. These otherworldly bubble tents, designed in France and set up in the lush winelands of México’s Valle de Guadalupe, have it all: dreamy decor with elegant wall hangings, a serene bucolic setting and front-row seats to star-spangled night skies. Your four-poster queen bed is trimmed with blackout curtains and there’s a private Jacuzzi on the deck outside.
Woodnest’s beautiful treehouses are designed to resemble giant pine cones, merging seamlessly into the ethereal, evergreen backdrop. Swaddled in your snug Scandi hideout, it’s a competition to see what draws your eye first – the smooth lines of the black alder wood interior or the dramatic mountains rising from the waters of the Hardangerfjord outside. The exact location of the nests is kept as secret as possible to protect guest privacy, so you’ll receive details about where to go within seven days of your arrival. The hike from the car park can take up to half an hour, but you'll be rewarded with perfect seclusion.
The first capsule hotel in Hong Kong, SLEEEP was founded in 2016 by local duo Alex Kot and Joe Jun Liao. As both had previously suffered from insomnia, they became committed to the principle that a good night’s sleep should be attainable for "everyone, everyday, everywhere" – hence the three 'E's in the hotel’s name. With capsules available to book for as little as 45 minutes, guests can use the one-person rooms to recharge between daily activities, work or travelling. You’re given a choice of bespoke mattresses and pillows, with other perks including sustainable showers, aromatherapy oil diffusion and personalised lighting and soundscapes.
Located on the Level 2 rooftop of the vibey QT Gold Coast hotel, the petite qtQT Cabins offer an unusually un-urban stay in the middle of the city. Unveiled in November 2022, the cabins feel a world away from the bustling metropolis below (and the rest of the hotel), encouraging you to unplug from the noise of everyday life without compromising on comfort. Little nods to their Gold Coast home come in the form of locally-made bedding, skincare amenities, candles and ceramics. There’s no TV, but we really don’t think you’ll miss it.
A fresh take on the traditional capsule hotel, The Millennials prides itself on creating an environment that facilitates relaxation, work and recreation with equal efficacy. The tiny rooms here are called SmartPods, and each unit features an adjustable bed that can either be laid flat or turned into a sofa-like seat. When in the reclined position, the bed slides back to give you space to stand and there’s storage underneath too. In some pods the privacy blind lowers to double as a home cinema screen, and everything is controlled via an app. Nifty!
Tucked between the small towns of Mazama and Winthrop, the Rolling Huts provide gorgeous mountain views and modern modular accommodation to those exploring the pretty Methow Valley. Though there are several types of stay available, the signature platform-style huts are the property’s USP. Inside, a roaring fire toasts the cosy living area, where one of the benches can convert into a second double bed. The main sleeping platform can also fit two and there's a portable loo just outside. Showers are housed in the camp’s main barn a short walk away.
The stark Brutalist facade of KINN Capsule belies the boutique calm waiting within. While many capsule hotels can feel cold and clinical, this pale-pink enclave in Singapore’s Chinatown achieves a minimalist aesthetic that also feels warm and welcoming. With 72 one-person pods grouped in rooms of 10 or 12, guests can cocoon in comfort and privacy on the cloud-like beds while connecting with fellow travellers. Every capsule is equipped with two power points, two USB ports, blackout blinds, a folding desk and mirror, an LED reading light and clothes hangers.
Pint-sized Pod 39 is the flagship branch for the Pod Hotels brand, located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighbourhood. As visits to the Big Apple have become increasingly budget-busting over the years, the original Pod has remained unchanged. Offering a fun, restful and affordable base in one of the world’s most chaotic cities, it peddles simple but stylish small rooms in patriotic shades of red, white and blue. There are single, double, twin and queen options available, and even the tiniest room is perfectly functional and homely.
The wee rooms at De Bedstee might conjure memories of playing hide-and-seek in the cupboard under the stairs at your grandparents' house. But there's a deeper meaning to their design, harking back to the 17th-century Dutch tradition of the 'bedstee', or box bed. Hidden behind cupboard-like doors, the hotel’s host of single and double beds are quiet and quirky cubbyholes where the real world feels like a distant memory. Colourful touches throughout the property reflect Amsterdam's vibrant culture – we especially love the bathroom wallpaper, printed with Van Gogh’s Almond Blossom.
Conveniently sat above Kuala Lumpur’s Fahrenheit88 shopping mall, The Bed Bukit Bintang prioritises cosiness, comfort and fostering connection between like-minded guests. The capsule rooms are intimate but surprisingly spacious, and are kitted out with ambient lighting and all the mod-cons you'd expect in a plush, practical pod. Here, backpackers don't have to choose between personal space, affordability and location. There's even a swimming pool to help you cool off from the muggy Malaysian heat.
Thailand has a long-held reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s busiest (and cheapest) tourist hubs. And while travellers tend to know what they're signing up for when booking a stay in its stimulating capital, that doesn't mean a bit of peace and quiet wouldn't go amiss. Enter Tiang Capsule, which describes itself as an "upscale hostel". Guests can tuck themselves away into tiny capsules or upgrade to slightly larger rooms (though even these are endearingly small). For friends travelling together, the six-capsule room is a great choice, featuring six self-contained sleep pods plus a bathroom and lounge area to share.
What do you do with a disused grain silo? Turn it into a miniature holiday apartment, of course. SiloStay offers some of the most unique accommodations within driving distance of Christchurch, by transforming these cylindrical units into fully-functioning guestrooms. Complete with queen-size beds, kitchenettes and shower facilities, the unusual but cosy rooms also have see-through ceiling hatches, bringing the sparkling night sky within touching distance. There’s mood lighting too, to further set the tone for the evening.
If the rest of this gallery wasn't proof enough that size isn't everything, prepare to be bowled over by our striking final entry. Estonian family-run franchise ÖÖD Hötels has sites all over the world specialising in petite, purpose-built rooms whose mirrored exteriors harmoniously melt into their surroundings. Our favourite is ÖÖD Laheranna, nestled near the ancient forests of Lahemaa National Park next to a wild beach. The sleek and contemporary cabins, just an hour from Tallinn, come with all necessary amenities, as well as a sauna, kitchenette, en suite bathroom and barbecue.
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