Sleep tight: Next-generation capsule hotel to launch

Kyoto – A new capsule hotel aims to create the ultimate in technological living. The sleek 9h hotel (‘9h’ stands for ‘nine hours’), designed by Masaaki Hiromura and Takaaki Nakamura in collaboration with Panasonic, uses a ‘sleeping environment system’ within the small modular units to optimise guest comfort. The 9h is scheduled to launch in December.

Although capsule hotels have been popular in Japan for some time, the 9h, in relying so extensively on technology, underlines the increased use of guest-friendly tech in hospitality spaces, and the growing expectation travellers have of new technologies during their stay.