Hourly hotels, also known as microstays, allow you to book rooms in blocks of time (3, 6, or 12 hours), offering flexibility to those who don’t need a full night. This model responds to new ways of moving around and also working: quick getaways, stopovers on long trips, one-off meetings, or simply a break during the day.
Platforms such as ByHours (founded in Barcelona in 2012 and a pioneer in offering a mobile app and online platform that allows booking hotel rooms by the hour), Dayuse, and HotelsByDay have driven this phenomenon, extending it to national and international markets, where this flexible accommodation option continues to gain ground, especially in major urban centres and key tourist destinations.
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How does the model adapt to different cities?
In A Coruña, the NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre offers hourly rates, from 3 to 6, with access to all hotel facilities, including the spa and gym. An ideal option for professionals on the go or those seeking privacy with high-end amenities.
In Madrid, spaces like Siesta & Go offer private cabins to rest or work in complete privacy during the day. For their part, several hotels adapted to the hourly reservation model, such as the DoubleTree by Hilton Madrid – Prado, the Mercure Madrid Centro Hotel or Casa Boutique, combine flexibility with services geared towards modern travellers. The DoubleTree by Hilton features a gym, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a bar, a business centre, and luggage storage. Its double rooms include a private bathroom, air conditioning, and a flat-screen TV. At the Mercure Madrid Centro Hotel, the rooms feature decor inspired by Spanish history. A buffet breakfast is offered, along with a small meeting room and free internet access in the lobby.
In Barcelona, Evenia Rosselló combines classic architecture with minimalist design in rooms that adapt to this type of space, designed for both work and relaxation.
Outside of Spain, this trend has also become established in numerous urban destinations. In Paris, for example, the Hôtel Odyssey by Elegancia, a partner of the Dayuse platform, allows you to book rooms by the hour with access to the spa, gym, or meeting rooms. In New York, Arlo SoHo and YOTEL New York Times Square offer flexible accommodation options with amenities such as smart booths, coworking areas, and terraces with views. Platforms such as DayBreakHotels, or those previously mentioned, have facilitated this expansion in markets as diverse as London, Mexico City and São Paulo, catering to the needs of a global public seeking flexibility and comfort when travelling.
The evolution of the hourly model goes hand in hand with a transformation in interior design. These are no longer makeshift rooms, but well-thought-out, versatile, and emotionally comfortable spaces, even when used for only a few hours. This approach connects with trends like slow tourism, which we talked about in this post, where we discovered how hotels adapt to the pace of the contemporary traveller.
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Key trends in hourly hotel design
Functional and flexible design:
They are usually designed to quickly adapt to different uses: rest, work or meetings. They incorporate modular furniture, folding desks, and a fluid layout that optimises every square meter.
Minimalist and relaxing aesthetics:
These spaces combine neutral colours, natural materials such as wood, stone, and linen, and warm lighting to create serene environments that invite you to unwind.
Integrated technology:
They incorporate home automation, smart locks, temperature and lighting control from your mobile phone, wireless chargers, and digital entertainment systems designed for short, functional stays.
Sustainability and local connection:
Recycled materials and eco-friendly textiles are used, along with decorative elements that reflect the local culture and environment. In Madrid, for example, the ILUNION Atrium hotel has been a pioneer within the chain ILUNION Hotels by applying an innovative textile recycling technique: through this process, waste such as used sheets and curtains is transformed into cutting-edge decorative furniture, integrating sustainability and design. In Shanghai, the URBN Hotel Shanghai, considered China’s first carbon-neutral hotel, reuses materials from the original building —such as reclaimed wood and antique bricks— to shape its structure and interior design.
