"Micro-hotels" are about to hit New Zealand with plans unveiled for a hive-like hotel near Christchurch Airport.
Vehicle rental company Jucy says it is building the 272-bed, two-storey Jucy Snooze within walking distance of the airport and expects to open it early in 2016.
The "rooms" feature a bed but there is not much space for much else in the venture, which is aimed not only at backpackers but also families and even retired couples. Tourists will also be able to stay for short periods between flights.
A bed in a four-bed unit takes up 1.9m by 1.2m and there is a small space for luggage storage.
A double bed unit, with an ensuite, is nearly 4.5m long and 2.7m wide while a six-bed pod is slightly larger again.
Guests will be able to self check in and also pay only for the time they stay.
It is expected to cost $30-35 per bed per night, depending on season.
"This type of accommodation is available overseas but there is nothing similar in New Zealand," said Jucy chief executive Tim Alpe.
It will help to ease a room shortage in Christchurch and bring an estimated 48 new jobs to the region.
Japan has its famous "capsule hotels", but the Christchurch pods won't have televisions in them.
"Visitors will be encouraged to come together in general use lounges. We will provide hot desks for casual web browsing, and give visitors a reason to come out of their rooms to socialise," Mr Alpe said.
