Inside a British micro apartment

Micro apartments aren't just a Japanese and Chinese thing. They exist en-masse in the UK too, but are called "student accommodation". Every city in the UK has a lot of this type of accommodation being built continuously.

In reality, they're not just used by students, but by contractors and low wage workers where they literally spend a significant part of their daily wage just to have a small room they can call home.

Several apartments often share one common kitchen facility, which is OK if you share the entire cluster of apartments with coworkers, but could be a bit unpredictable if sharing with complete strangers.

There are communal laundry facilities and also recreational areas, and a 24 hour manned reception which always seems to be staffed by very nice people.

Your room has a smoke detector in it that has the potential to evacuate the entire building, so do any soldering and other technical stuff in the kitchen where it's a heat based detector.

On completion of your stay, your room is inspected for any marks, damage or smoking/vaping smells you may have caused, which can incur charges.

For short term use, places like this are very acceptable. But they are not a replacement for having your own home.

I've used student accommodation when I've been on trips to London in the past, and if all you need is a bed, table and a lockable door then it is much more affordable than a traditional hotel.

For those wondering why I was staying in this room, I was part of the lighting crew on a show and my employer provided this accommodation. It was perfectly acceptable. I'm not sure how much it cost, but I would guess around £30 to £35 per day.