The Japanese word “hen” is usually used to describe something that is “strange” or “weird,” sometimes with a negative connotation. However, the original meaning of the kanji (Chinese character) with which it is written, 変, means “change.”  In other words, something strange is something that is a change from the usual, something different.  The Henn-na Hotel, located in the Huis Ten Bosch theme park, encompasses both of these meanings.  At first sight, it may seem strange, with robots greeting guests at the check in desk (an uncannily humanoid woman in Japanese and a bow-tied dinosaur in English) and dealing with their luggage.  However, what at first may seem like fun, campy entertainment is in fact a sincere gesture to a future where intelligent robots function productively and efficiently in harmony with humans.  Thus, the concept of the hotel illustrates that what may appear strange can actually be a first step toward change.

Step into the hotel, and a scene reminiscent of a science fiction film unfolds before: friendly robots will greet you in either Japanese or English, guiding you through the check in process smoothly. A great robotic arm will carefully store your luggage for a small fee, and robot porters on wheels will roll your bags to your room. A foot tall concierge can give you information about breakfast, the Hui Ten Bosch amusement park the hotel is located in, or even call a taxi for you!

The robot you’ll probably spend the most time with is Churi-chan, a small robot in your room who can recognize your face to let you in (no keys at the Henn-na Hotel!), turn your lights on or off at your command, and even adjust the temperature of the room automatically based on your body temperature.  And because Churi-chan is connected to the internet, you can get up-to-date information from her regarding the weather and other topics.

Beyond the robots, Henn-na hotel is in fact a tasteful, highly functional hotel with a tastefully minimalist aesthetic. The contrast of an over the top dinosaur at the front counter with a calming, artistic interior design, may seem strange, but this is the “strange” (“hen” in Japanese) hotel after all.  Rather than just a gimmick, the robots are truly meant to provide a cost effective, environmentally friendly, and of course pleasant hotel experience.  Henn-na Hotel may be the first, but robots working in a hotel may not be too strange at all if its creators continue expanding more branches as they intend.

Guests are sure to delight at the novelty of being checked in by a head bobbing dinosaur and having their lights turned on and off by a friendly little robot, but H.I.S. founder Hideo Sawada has expressed his hope Henn-na Hotel bring humanity one step closer to a day when these kinds of hotels are no longer novelties, but a means to offer customers more efficient service while counteracting ever growing accommodation prices.  Today’s “strange” leads to tomorrow’s “change.”  Catch a glimpse of tomorrow’s normal at this strange hotel!

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