Hotel Great Morning: Elevating the Stay Experience Through Superior Sleep Quality
HOTEL GREAT MORNING
A Next-Generation Indoor Environment Provided by an Air Conditioning System Without Air Conditioners
Hotel "Great Morning" in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. Is the name “Great Morning” or “Best Morning” a bit of an exaggeration? Not at all. This hotel aims for overwhelming comfort the next morning, pursuing the ultimate in a good night's sleep. To achieve this, they have adopted a 21st-century heating and cooling system.
Text by KOIZUMI Yoko | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi
Creating a Comfortable Indoor Environment Without Air Conditioners
Hotel Bank SurveyAccording to a survey by Hotel Bank, as of January 2020, there were 51,987 accommodation facilities in Japan with 1,625,219 rooms. While these numbers may have changed slightly since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of rooms has increased by 5.2% compared to the previous year.
Among these approximately 51,000 facilities, there is a hotel that has achieved the world's first "air conditioner-free" environment: Hotel Great Morning in Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture.
Instead of air conditioners, they have introduced the next-generation heating and cooling system, "F-CON."
The heating and cooling panels in the room utilize the principle that heat moves from higher to lower temperatures. In summer, the panels absorb heat from people, and in winter, they radiate heat to people, maintaining a comfortable body temperature.
"F-CON" is an air conditioning system that uses far-infrared rays to control perceived temperature. It circulates warm water in winter and cool water in summer within heating and cooling panels (radiators) made of ceramic material that effectively absorbs and re-radiates far-infrared rays. Combined with walls and ceilings made of similar ceramic, it creates a system that distributes heat throughout the room.
The difference between "F-CON" and air conditioning is noticeable the moment you step into the room. There is "no sound." You also notice "no wind." The air inside the room remains still, a significant departure from typical hotels. However, it's important to understand that this difference is not uncomfortable; rather, it becomes increasingly pleasant as time passes.
The interior walls are finished with plaster and diatomaceous earth, maintaining humidity levels between 45% and 55%. This is gentle on the throat and skin, a remarkable figure compared to typical hotels that tend to be dry. Furthermore, because there is no wind, dust does not become airborne, resulting in a "pure air" quality that even an air purifier cannot achieve.
Pure Water Brings Positive Changes to the Body
The mission of this hotel is to provide a "great morning" or "best morning." Therefore, the water provided is also of high specification.
Amenities include "PRO BODY," made with 14 carefully selected minerals from around the world. The water provided in the room, including for showers, is purified and filtered three times through ceramic filters and is safe to drink. It is so clear that even those accustomed to drinking mineral water may not notice the difference.
Particularly noteworthy is the original showerhead. It offers three selectable water flow modes: Normal, Mist, and Massage, and is equipped with three types of special ceramics. The hotel's water, thanks to this system, achieves a quality comparable to natural spring water. The ultimate bathing experience perfectly invites sleep. My skin also felt noticeably more moisturized.
The original showerhead, which can be switched between Normal, Mist, and Massage modes, is also available for purchase at the first-floor gift shop.
The down comforters and mattresses were co-developed with "IWATA," a long-established bedding manufacturer in Kyoto. The bed frames were designed by Tamotsu Yagi, who also worked on Apple Stores.
Diving into a bed made with natural materials and produced domestically, I fell asleep almost instantly. It wasn't until the next morning that I realized I had experienced a deep sleep, something I hadn't felt since childhood. I was surprised at how I woke up feeling completely refreshed, ready to start the day without any grogginess.
And the in-room breakfast is a delightful bonus. It's a luxurious offering of onigiri made with brown rice fermented for three days, prepared by the traditional house restaurant "Tenjyo Sajiki," using pesticide-free ingredients. The taste was truly impressive.
Some may think this review is overly praising, but after spending just one day here, I could understand the story of Yokozuna Hakuho staying for three days without leaving the hotel due to its comfort. The sleep quality was so profound that it felt completely plausible. I also felt my concentration lasted longer while reading, and more importantly, I must add that I fully experienced the benefits of the next-generation system in the restroom.
Enjoying "invisible comfort" is a privilege of adulthood, and recognizing the value of paying for such an environment is perhaps a sign of mature discernment. While the definition of a "best morning" varies from person to person, I personally believe that spending a week here would bring about significant changes to one's mind and body. I would love to experience it again if given the chance.
Hotel Great Morning is the only hotel in Japan where "F-CON" is installed in all rooms throughout the entire facility. It is conveniently located in Hakata, just a five-minute walk from Nakasu, making it ideal for both business and leisure. Once the anxieties of the pandemic subside, I highly recommend experiencing a "best morning" in Fukuoka.
Oh, and one more thing. Suites and above feature a private low-temperature mist spa. This offers a secluded experience, allowing you to fully relax and rejuvenate in your room without any disturbances.
HOTEL GREAT MORNING Address: 6-3 Tenya-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture Number of Rooms: 25 rooms | Deluxe Twin (27㎡) 12 rooms, Deluxe Double (27㎡) 8 rooms, Suite (60㎡) 4 rooms, Premium Suite (130㎡) 1 room
