Which original Dragon's Den investor founded the Japanese-format hotel chain YOTEL?

Simon Woodroffe founded the hotel concept that became YOTEL after developing the idea of compact, technology-focused accommodation.

Woodroffe created YOTEL as an extension of the compact hotel idea associated with the YO! brand. The concept was influenced by Japanese capsule hotels and aimed to combine small, efficiently designed rooms with features associated with modern air travel and technology.

The first YOTEL opened at London Gatwick Airport in 2007. The brand later expanded to additional airports and city locations, offering compact cabins, automated services and a design-led alternative to conventional hotels.

This fact can be confused with Woodroffe's more famous connection to YO! Sushi, which he founded in 1997. Both brands use the distinctive “YO!” identity, but YOTEL is the hotel business, while YO! Sushi is the restaurant chain.