Japanese “no frills” hotel to break ground in Queens

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Japan-based Toyoko Inn Co. is set on bringing its own brand of no-frills, economy hotels to the United States, starting with New York City. The company plans to develop a 35-story, 640-room hotel in Queens, and anticipates opening it in 2012. The rooms will be very small, averaging less than 200 square feet, and will go for "just over" $100 a night. Toyoko Inn hotels, numbering over 225 in Japan, are known for their tiny rooms, spartan decor (bed, desk, television), and close proximity to mass transit locations. City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer commented that his district should see an increase in jobs, traffic, and pedestrians when the hotel opens in Long Island City.

This kind of low cost hotel threatens to undermine New York hotel industry standards, and poses a grave threat to our union's density and future contract strength.

Hudson, Kris. Japan's Toyoko Inn Targets New York. Wall Street Journal. July 28, 2010.

Photo of Toyoko Inn in Takanawa, Japan by Kure.