A Free Hotel for Creatives Has Opened — Quick Facts
Kotn has opened Beit Kotn, a completely free hotel and creative residency above its London flagship store specifically for Arab creatives from the Middle East and North Africa. The brand removes all transaction costs to create genuine cultural infrastructure rather than monetized hospitality experiences, with Cairo planned as a larger expansion in 2027.
Key Data Points
- Sales jumped 60% in 2023, maintaining 50%+ growth through 2025 despite market maturity.
- Cairo 2027 flagship will anchor Beit Kotn's expanding network of cultural destinations.
- Kotn now controls 5,127 Egyptian cotton farms, touching 156,000 lives in the process.
- Patagonia funds 25 schools where its cotton grows, turning supply chains into social impact.
- Kotn built a free creative residency above their London store exclusively for Arab artists.
Frequently Asked
- How much does Beit Kotn cost to stay at?
- Beit Kotn is completely free for artists, designers, and cultural thinkers from the Middle East and North Africa. Guests simply describe their project through Kotn's website portal and receive access based on availability.
- Where is Beit Kotn located?
- Beit Kotn is located above Kotn's London flagship store in Shoreditch, operating as a two-bedroom creative residence with a kitchenette and private balcony.
- Who can stay at Beit Kotn?
- The space is designed for artists, designers, writers, and cultural thinkers from the Middle East and North Africa who are working on projects in London. Access is granted through a first-come-first-serve basis.
- When is Kotn opening more hotels?
- Kotn plans to open a larger hospitality project in Cairo in 2027, with additional locations planned across Europe and Asia by 2026.
- How can Kotn afford to offer free hotel stays?
- Kotn has experienced strong growth with sales rising 60% in 2023, 54% in 2024, and projected 56% in 2025, allowing them to fund the free hospitality concept as cultural infrastructure rather than profit center.