LyLo, part of EVT, has begun the global expansion of its innovative pod hotel concept and has chosen London as a potential location for its first European property.
Appointed as sole agent, P-Three, the retail, leisure and space development company, is primarily focusing on potential sites in Southwark, although other central locations will be considered. LyLo is looking for 15,000 to 50,000 square foot buildings to convert into a pod hotel, which could include office or retail conversion projects or suitable basement space.
Thomas Rose, co-founder of P-Three, commented: “The pod hotel model has proven to be a game-changer in hospitality, especially for younger, budget-conscious travelers who often prioritize unique experiences and dynamic, social environments. Traditional hotel offers. With its large and vibrant visitor base, London is the perfect starting point for LyLo's European expansion and we are confident that their innovative approach and design-led concept will resonate well in this market. We look forward to working with them.
LyLo Managing Director Tim Alp commented: “We are thrilled to introduce LyLo to Europe, with London the perfect city to launch our first property. Our innovative pod hotel concept has already proven successful in New Zealand and Australia, and we are confident that the European market will embrace our unique blend of affordability and community-focused design. London's dynamic and diverse traveler base makes it an ideal place to start this exciting new chapter and we look forward to bringing LyLo's fresh approach to hospitality to the city.
Launching in 2022, LyLo is part of EVT, a major Australian operator of cinemas, hotels, restaurants and an alpine resort with more than 80 hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. LyLo already has 608 pods, 40 private rooms, 170 ensuite rooms and four F&B venues in Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch, New Zealand and Brisbane, Australia. Two other Australian properties are in the pipeline at Gold Coast and Fremantle.
Fun and communal, the LyLo concept targets solo travellers, the 18-35 age group, digital nomads, sports groups and families, offering onsite co-working, social and budget-friendly hostel-style accommodation in a design-led and customer-centric environment. A place of wellness. LyLo has a proven track record, with strong results across all properties, particularly Auckland where the hotel is regularly the most booked property (monthly) for room nights in the city on Booking.com.
Pod hotels typically provide a compact space that includes a bed, a safe place to store belongings, and often shared facilities such as bathrooms, dining areas, and entertainment areas. LyLo enhances their offering with a focus on safety and privacy, as well as modern conveniences in their pods such as lights, fans and chargers.
Originally a Japanese phenomenon and primarily aimed at business professionals, pod hotels have grown in popularity worldwide thanks to their relative affordability versus traditional hotels, meeting the needs of many modern travelers who want to cut costs and prioritize their budgets over events and experiences. Also gain social and community experience.