Niche travel

If you thought capsule and micro hotels were something new, think again. The Jane Hotel in New York city was built in 1908 as a hotel for sailors and, as a result, has rooms like cabins that are tiny.

Originally, if not snappily, known as the American Seamen’s Friend Society Sailor’s Home and Institute, the hotel was designed by architect Bill Boring (okay, William), whose previous work included the Ellis Island immigration station, which in a way gives it an Irish link.

There is another. In 1912 the survivors of the Titanic stayed here until the end of the American inquiry into its sinking. Indeed, just four days after it sank, the surviving crew, many of whom were now destitute – their pay having been stopped the day the ship sank – held a memorial service at the hotel.

The hotel’s own fortunes sank for a while, until in 2008, in time for its centenary, new owners took the helm, made everything shipshape once again and relaunched it as The Jane.

The rooms are still tiny, with Standard cabins just 50ft sq, a cot-like bed and shared bathroom facilities at the end of each hall. Despite their modest proportions, there’s still room for mod cons such as flat screen TVs, wifi and iPod docking stations.

Its location has come up in the world somewhat too, being adjacent to the now trendy Meatpacking District and within walking distance of Chelsea and Soho.

And, just as the original hotel charged sailors a bargain 25 cents a night, The Jane charges a still modest (for NYC that is) $125 for singles and $135 for a double, which, in this case, means a top bunk, sailor-style.

See thejanenyc.com