Pod Inn

The pods were quiet, and people were respectful. There’s a shared room, bathrooms, and toilets, plus lots of places to eat nearby. The staff were lovely. One thing called TV didn’t do anything, but otherwise it was a pretty cool experience. We booked it as something different on our Tassie trip, and it was good to try. If you’re claustrophobic, though, this probably isn’t the place for you.

Pod Inn has a warm, relaxed atmosphere and feels well run, thanks largely to the staff. I felt genuinely welcome from the moment I arrived. Everyone was friendly, approachable, and ready to help. Arith and Hollie deserve a special mention. They were kind and professional, took time to help with advice or anything else I needed, and were happy to chat too. You can tell they care about guests and take pride in their work. I’d recommend staying here in Launceston and would gladly return. Thanks to Arith, Hollie, and the whole team.

Great location, and I had a pleasant one-night stay. I’d emailed to request a bottom pod, and they confirmed they could arrange it. The pods are high-tech, with lighting and climate controls that are easy to work out. Towels are provided, and the lockers use the same key card. The bathrooms were dirty and had queues every time. They need more bathrooms and better upkeep.

We stayed two nights and would never choose this accommodation again. We expected an innovative, futuristic sleep setup, but had some of the worst sleep we’ve experienced. The only thing in its favour was that it kept us sheltered from sleeping outside. I can’t understand the many positive reviews. We’d choose a shared hostel dorm instead, where people’s behaviour is at least visible and socially regulated. The pods felt cheap, old, and poorly maintained, made from thin, hard plastic that creaked and squeaked with every movement. There were patch repairs, glue residue, and general wear. They provide clean bedding, but that didn’t make up for the pod condition. Sound comes straight through. We could hear conversation, coughing, snoring, doors, cupboards, and other guests’ activities without any sound damping. Noise continued throughout the night, and even earplugs didn’t help much. With the pods, one noisy guest affects everyone in the room. People seemed to assume their capsule gave them privacy, and made phone calls, talked, laughed, coughed, snored, and even had sex overnight. Air circulation inside was poor. There’s a loud fan somewhere above the ceiling panels, but with the pod door shut, barely any air moves. It got warm and stuffy, with no air conditioning. The doors can’t be locked. Staff said this was because of fire regulations, which means anyone can access your pod, and guests are told not to leave valuables there. Each pod has a small locker beside it, too small for a suitcase. Luggage has to go in a separate, unsecured room, leaving guests to keep clothes and toiletries in the tiny locker. There are no changing rooms, so you can only change in the corridor or lying inside your pod. Many lockers were damaged, partly broken, or badly repaired. Cleaning was a major problem. There was obvious neglect under the pods, with underwear, socks, toenail clippings, food scraps, and thick layers of dust visible. The bathrooms were far too limited for the number of guests. The men’s bathroom had only two sinks for the whole hotel, and it was usually dirty, with water all over the floor. The sticky hair dryer looked like it had never been cleaned. All three showers had visible mould on the walls and a persistent musty smell. The hygiene was a real health concern, and shoes were essential because touching surfaces felt unwise. Toilet seats were often covered in urine.