In the heart of Manhattan sits a unique hotel that wraps all accommodations around the ever-popular iPod. Hotel rooms are small, stylish, and feature iPod docking stations, LCD televisions, and complimentary wireless internet. Private bathrooms contain rain-head shower fixtures and stainless steel sinks. If you've ever visited New York City, you know how hard it is to find safe, comfortable accommodations for under $150 per night. Most hotels charge over $200 per night, but Pod Hotels are different!

Pod Hotels are currently offering a winter special providing guests with comfortable accommodations for the low rate of $99 per night plus taxes. This is an amazing price within the city, especially for a new hotel that offers clean, comfortable rooms. Guests can choose from a bunk-bed room for two, double room (one double bed), or a queen room (one queen bed). For even less, you can reserve a single room (one twin bed) for one for the lower price of $89 per night.

Pod Hotels have on-site restaurants, a rooftop bar, and is within easy walking distance of Radio City Music Hall, the U.N. building, Times Square, and Broadway. Subways in New York City are safe, inexpensive and reach other areas of Manhattan within minutes.

London's Pod Hotels

Currently, Manhattan holds the only official Pod Hotel, but there are other hotel chains mimicking what Pod Hotels set out to do. In London, EasyHotels, operated by easyJet, provide inexpensive accommodations that provide guests with little more than a bed, toilet, and shower. These rooms offer just the bare minimum, but the room rate of less than $50 a night makes them popular with budget travelers.

Obic Hotels in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's Qbic Hotel offers rates of $80 to $200 a night for rooms that are always 8 by 10 feet and feature comfortable bedding, radios, in-room safes, wireless internet, and televisions. The interesting feature with Qbic Hotels is that guests handle their own check-ins through a computer kiosks. Qbic Hotels offers the lowest rates to those who book farthest in advance.

Japan Pod Hotels

Finally, Japan is home to the original idea for a pod hotel. These hotel spaces are literally sleeping pod capsules that are just big enough for a person to slide into and sleep. Japan's idea of a pod hotel resembles a morgue with slide out body trays. The pods cost approximately $50 per night and are 3 feet high, 3 feet wide, and 6 feet long. A miniature television is located on the wall and the pods are equipped with lighting, radio, and alarm clocks.

With pod hotels, what they lack in size, they certainly make up for in luxury and style. The compact size allows for easy installation in many locations such as car parks, airplanes, and other buildings. They are great places to stay at overnight but probably no longer than a week due to the lack of space. Some companies are making radical changes like installing flat screens, rotating beds and surround sound stereo systems to make the stay as comfortable as possible. Whatever happens in the future, pod hotels certainly look like a trendy new idea for travellers because of its affordability and convenience.