YOTEL is the hotel brand founded by Dragon's Den investor Simon Woodroffe.
Woodroffe created YOTEL as a compact, design-focused hotel concept influenced by the efficient use of space associated with premium airline cabins and Japanese capsule hotels. The brand opened its first hotel at London Gatwick Airport in 2007, before expanding to other airports and city locations.
YOTEL is separate from Yo! Sushi, another business associated with Woodroffe. The similar “YO” branding can cause confusion, but Yo! Sushi is a restaurant chain, while YOTEL is an accommodation business. The capitalization of YOTEL is also part of the brand’s official styling.
Woodroffe’s connection to Dragon's Den comes from the original British panel. His entrepreneurial background included hospitality, food service and design-led businesses, which shaped the range of ventures associated with his name.