There’s always something new coming along in the hotel sector, whether that’s an emphasis on “locality” or collections of individual properties that somehow promise a consistent experience while differing in almost every way possible. Business Traveller readers gathered at London’s Royal Automobile Club to discuss the pros and cons of another growing trend – capsule and compact hotels.

The lunch was sponsored by Hong Kong’s Regal Airport Hotel. Named the world’s best airport hotel at the Business Traveller Awards for the past eight years, it has had to stay abreast of innovations, and is a five-star property at the opposite end of the spectrum from limited-service offerings. Nevertheless, as John Girard, Regal Hotels’ area general manager for Hong Kong, was quick to admit, with the average length of stay being 1.25 nights, many travellers won’t have time to enjoy all the facilities and restaurants it has to offer.

Capsule and limited-service hotels are certainly gaining in popularity at airports. Yotel is already at London Gatwick, Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol and is opening the first in-terminal hotel at Paris Charles de Gaulle 2E (airside) on July 1. Bookable for a minimum four hours, the 80-room property will allow travellers to have a quick shower or sleep during a layover but, as far as public areas are concerned, there’s only a vending wall with food and a communal lounge for working and relaxing. Introductory prices will start from about Ä50 for four hours, and the brand is planning to open at Singapore Changi airport in 2018.

Still, lunch attendees seemed clear about what they wanted not just from an airport hotel, but any hotel, and the list was long. At the top were the essentials: blackout curtains for complete darkness, even during the day, and a comfortable bed and pillows.

The tools to work, such as high-speed wifi and a good-sized desk, were also crucial. As one attendee put it: “If I know a hotel does not have a desk in the room, I won’t go there.” Another pointed out the importance of plenty of plug sockets – during a recent stay, he had been bored and counted a total of 32 in his room.

Although that might be overkill, everyone thought a swift laundry service – say, within three hours – was crucial, and without the extra expense of having to pay for an express laundry service. The need for speed was also emphasised for check-in, and also room service – a club sandwich should take no longer than 20 minutes to arrive, a participant said.

One thing the new capsule hotels do offer is a flexible check-in time. Regal Airport Hotel does this too, so whatever time you arrive is the time you can check out the next day. What it, and other full-service properties, can offer is a warm welcome. One person said that they would go back to a hotel if they got a friendly smile and were greeted by name.

Personalised service might be less important to a traveller simply wanting to get their head down for a few hours – something the capsule hotels are built for. Still, one reader wondered how much rest people managed to get in one. “By the time you get to the hotel you are too hyper to sleep,” he said. “At least in a [larger] hotel you can relax, sit up in bed and read without cracking your head.”

Another said: “After getting off a plane, I want the little comforts that give you pleasure. A stay at an airport hotel should provide a decent meal, decent bar and the comfort to catch an onward flight in a reasonable frame of mind.”

Ultimately, one reader believed, airport hotels were “a good alternative for those that do not want to stay in city-centre hotels because of noise, especially in some places that have become party cities, such as Prague and Amsterdam”. If there is a transport service that can get you in and out of town in 20 minutes or less for business, shopping and sightseeing, so much the better.

To attend a future editor’s lunch, email Emma Gordon at [email protected], stating your name, job title, company and topics of interest.