27-9-2023 (BEIJING) Have you ever imagined sleeping on a flight of stairs? Well, a hotel in Beijing, China, decided to turn that dream into reality by transforming their stairwell into unique accommodations. According to a report by Beijing News on Monday (Sept 25), the hotel redesigned the second, third, and fourth floors to feature small “rooms” measuring around six square meters. These compact spaces were fitted with a single-size bed, closed windows, and a shared toilet.
To access their bed, guests had to walk down a flight of stairs, adding an adventurous twist to their stay. The hotel’s manager explained to Chinese media that these “staircase rooms” were previously unused closed spaces, which they started utilizing as guest rooms in mid-July this year. Recognizing the demand for simple accommodations in the area, the hotel offered these unconventional rooms as an alternative option for travelers.
The price range for these unique rooms typically ranged from 100 to 200 yuan (approximately S$19 to S$36) per night. However, during peak travel periods like China’s National Day, the rates could increase to 650 yuan. It is worth noting that the hotel manager acknowledged safety concerns associated with the staircase rooms and assured that they were in the process of rectifying them.
Local Chinese media reported that the fire department received reports about these staircase rooms and conducted an inspection on Sunday. Following their assessment, the fire department returned the next day to cordon off the rooms due to safety hazards. They discovered that smoke alarms were not installed in compliance with regulations, and the rooms did not meet the required fire-resistance levels specified by the state.
As a result, the electricity supply to the staircase rooms was cut off, and seals were placed on the rooms with instructions not to break them without permission. However, it is important to note that these rooms did not obstruct the hotel’s emergency evacuation routes. The hotel has separate external staircases designated as emergency exits.
On Monday, a reporter from Beijing News confirmed that all three rooms had been emptied. Only the air conditioners remained, with no beds present in the staircase rooms. The hotel is now expected to address the safety concerns raised by the fire department before considering any future use of these unconventional spaces.
