It’s sort of like staying inside a Swiss Army knife: In stylish new microhotels, architects deploy tech and minimalist design to fold a lot of amenities into small spaces. Consider the 150-square-foot rooms at the two Arlo hotels, which opened this fall in Manhattan. “There’s not a lot of room to navigate, but that can be a convenience,” says Matthew Goodrich, chief creative officer at AvroKO, the haute hospitality agency behind Arlo. “You don’t have to get up and go across the room to adjust anything. It’s all within arm’s reach.” Welcome to your tiny castle.
1. Less Is More
The fewer finishes designers use, the larger a room will seem. The sink and shower basins are made from crushed stone, which blends with the concrete floor.
2. Slide Show
A frosted-glass sliding partition separates the bathroom to increase usable space and circulation.
3. Power Move
When the space-saving flip-down desk is closed, you can still charge electronics with its built-in outlet.
4. No Wasted Space
A compartment under the bed fits two suitcases, and a drawer contains a safe for your laptop.
5. Dream Big
The focal point of the space: a king-size bed that also serves as a window seat, storage area, and TV room.
6. Outward Bound
An empty minifridge encourages you to explore the communal “living rooms” before stocking up on freshly made goodies in the 24-hour lobby market.
7. Flip the Switch
Control the electric blinds and fold-down reading lights from switches built into the bed frame.
8. Open Wide
To make a small room feel big, designers need to create continuous space. So, instead of a closet, the room has an open hanger wall.
