Europe's first Yotelpad to open in London

Europe's first Yotelpad, affordable hotel group Yotel's aparthotel brand, is set to open in London's Stratford later this year.

Yotelpad was created in 2018 to cater to a rising demand for flexible accommodation. All of its sites to date are based in the United States in locations including Park City, Utah and Miami, Florida.

The spin-off brand offers modern studio apartments, referred to as pads, which are equipped with kitchenettes, space for work and leisure, and bathroom amenities from Yotel partner Urban Jungle.

The Stratford site was acquired for an undisclosed sum after Yotel signed a long-term management agreement with owner Silver Mascot Limited. It will be Yotel's seventh property in the UK.

A spokesperson for Yotelpad told The Caterer that London was chosen for the brand's debut beacuse it is "the city where it all began for Yotel with the launch of Yotelair London Gatwick in 2007".

Room rates will start from £119 and the property will feature 62 studios, a 24-hour ‘mission control' (Yotelpad's version of a reception desk), laundry facilities and a grab and go dining area.

A food and beverage and retail space will open in 2024.

Guests are able to book stays that last anywhere between one day and one month.

Yotel said Yotelpad's growth will form a "crucial part" of its commitment to grow its portfolio from 22 to 50 hotels by 2025.

Rohan Thakkar, chief development officer at Yotel, said: "We're incredibly excited to be opening our first Yotelpad property outside of the US this year, and to be bringing the product to the UK and European market for the first time.

"Committed to expanding our footprint to meet demand worldwide, Yotelpad will be a key driver in achieving our ambitious growth targets."

A spokesperson for Yotelpad added: "We have exciting development plans to expand the Yotel portfolio with the launch of Yotel Geneva Lake, Yotel Bangkok and Yotel Tokyo next year, with Yotel Kuala Lumpur and Yotel Neom to follow in 2025, and more signings in the pipeline. We are also targeting further growth for the Yotelpad product across Europe, North America and Asia."

Yotel has 22 properties including in San Francisco, Paris, Amsterdam and Edinburgh.