A UK consumer group has officially found the world’s smallest hotel, and you’re forgiven for inadvertently sucking in while ready this, the room’s an absolute squeeze.
According to Which?, the room is located in The Corbigoe Hotel in Westminster in central London.
Just fitting a single bed – which touches three out of the room’s four walls – the room will set you back $97 per night during the April – October high season.
Already feeling claustrophobic? Well, this next fact won’t help.
The room measures just five-square metres, two of which are made up by the bathroom; that’s smaller than a prison cell.
According to those writing the report for Which?, “When we visited with a tape measure, we found that the bedroom-sized up at just three square metres — meaning 40 per cent of that is the bathroom.
“The rectangular box is almost completely taken up by a narrow single bed, from which you can simultaneously touch the walls on either side.
“The only window opens into the interior landing and the ensuite is so small you can wash your hands while still sat on the loo.”
So how can this hotel charge anything for this tiny room?
Well, it’s in the heart of London’s central tourist area, with Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Tate Britain gallery, just minutes away, as well as the Pimlico Tube station.
“It’s also smaller than the recommended minimum for a UK prison cell — seven square metres,” the report read.
“Book through the Corbigoe Hotel’s website and this may come as a shock: no dimensions are listed and there are images for almost every other room, bar this one.”
Despite the excellent location of the hotel, unsurprisingly, the reviews aren’t particularly kind.
“Do not book room 19. The room is no wider than a narrow bed,” a traveller from Spain wrote on Booking.com.
“There is no external window. You can either put your suitcase on the floor or on the bed. If your suitcase in on the floor you cannot get to the so-called ‘bathroom’.”
“Every movement has to be planned out in advance.”
Another reviewer said: “It was so small I could hardly even turn around! The small piece of carpet I had was dirty and there was a smell in the room possibly the carpet and bed cover. The bed was ancient. I was literally in a stair cupboard.”
The Which? report focused specifically on ‘micro hotels and rooms’, and boy did they find one at The Corbigoe Hotel.
“Hotels need to be completely upfront with customers about just how small their rooms are at the time of booking, so guests don’t unexpectedly find themselves in a shoebox,” Which? travel editor Rory Boland said.
“Micro hotel rooms can be great for a short stay, but don’t assume you’re always getting a micro price.
“In truth, you’ll probably find a more spacious stay nearby for a better price.”
