Vessel Hotel Development Co., Ltd., which operates hotels across Japan under the vision of “Love you, your family, and the city,” announced that it will open REF Hamamatsu by Vessel Hotels in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. This will be the company’s first hotel in Shizuoka Prefecture. A safety prayer ceremony will be held on May 13, 2026, followed by the start of construction. The hotel is scheduled to open in December 2027. The property will be built by Asahi Corporation Co., Ltd., headquartered in Hamamatsu, and operated by Vessel Hotels after completion. Hamamatsu offers strong transport access, including the Tokaido Shinkansen, and is expected to generate accommodation demand from both business and leisure travelers. With redevelopment around the station and a growing concentration of commercial facilities, the area is expected to become even more active. Based on these conditions, Vessel Hotels selected Hamamatsu as a new expansion area and aims to create a hotel rooted in the local community through collaboration with a local company. The hotel will be located four minutes on foot from JR Hamamatsu Station, offering convenient access to the Shinkansen and other transportation. The area around the station has a wide range of commercial facilities and restaurants, making it a convenient base for both business and sightseeing. The hotel will serve a broad range of guests, including business travelers, families, groups, and domestic and international tourists. Children aged 18 or younger can stay free of charge when sharing a bed in the same room with their parents or grandparents. The property is planned to have 198 guest rooms, all non-smoking. Rooms will be designed so guests can take off their shoes and relax, and the hotel will include a large public bath with a sauna. Hotel overview: the name is REF Hamamatsu by Vessel Hotels; the location is 1055 and other lots in Sunayama-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture; the planned opening date is