Press Release

Project: Hostel Art

-The Piccadilly Backpackers Hotel fuses contemporary art with the Japanese pod hotel concept -

London is one of the world's most expensive tourist destinations, especially with the pound's strong global standing, and finding reasonably priced accommodations can be a real challenge.  But help is now at hand, with The Piccadilly Backpackers Hotel embarking on a new concept in hotels that is aimed at bringing an element of style to a small space right in the heart of central London - Project: Hostel Art.

Located in Sherwood Street , just off the bustling Piccadilly Circus , the budget-minded hotel has begun a redevelopment programme called Project: Hostel Art that sees the official opening of the Third Floor this February, with the remaining floors reaching completion throughout 2006.  The newly renovated floor consists of 60 Japanese pod style capsules across 10 dormitory-style-rooms, each of which has been individually and uniquely decorated by upcoming artists and designers from around the world.

The Hotel's General Manager, Andy Willday, comments:  "We're trying to provide luxury at affordable prices.  A number of high profile budget hotels have opened in the capital recently, many of which have no pictures on the walls, no carpets or wardrobes and worst of all no windows.  This was something we thought, and our customer surveys showed, was unacceptable and needed addressing."

The Piccadilly Backpackers Hotel is the first hotel in the UK to offer individually hand-crafted Japanese pod style accommodation.  Feedback suggests that due to the new pod concept, which provides comfort and privacy for just £17 pp per night (including continental breakfast), the opening is set to see guests from all walks of life booking into the hotel, from workers missing the last train home to shoppers visiting London for the day to take advantage of the sales.

It is also the first British hotel to offer specially designed art-rooms.  "In some ways it has taken graffiti to a new level." continues Andy Willday, "Travellers often like to leave their mark where they stay and The Piccadilly Hotel was the first stop in London for many of the artists - before starting out in their chosen carers as illustrators, graphic designers and interior decorators.  So rather than leaving a 'tag', these talented individuals were able to make each room into an individual and lasting piece of art."

Before being invited to implement their creative ideas, the artists (coming from places as far apart as Australia and Poland and Norway and the USA ) had to produce a portfolio and submit a proposed design for inspection to the Hotel's directors.  Once commissioned, they were able to use all four walls, the ceiling and floor as the canvas, and had absolute creative freedom to produce their own design.

The Third Floor will officially open on February 10 (press launch February 9th) and to make a booking guests should telephone 020 7434 9009 or visit www.piccadillybackpackers.com for further information and details of special offers and last minute discounts.