[Certified Facility Introduction] Sheraton Kagoshima: Achieving ¥7 Million in Annual Energy Savings Through Technical Expertise and Strengthening Regional Food Connections

 

 

1. Facility Overview

Opened as a new landmark in Kagoshima City, Sheraton Kagoshima is a full‑service Marriott hotel located close to the city’s main station and uniquely equipped with a natural hot‑spring bath—an uncommon feature among Marriott properties. Following its second‑year renewal, the hotel continues to deepen its region‑rooted sustainability efforts across both infrastructure and guest experience.

2. Good Practices

The hotel has achieved significant results through advanced infrastructure optimization and food‑focused initiatives that connect local producers with guests.

・Major Energy Savings Through Inverter Control: Led by the Engineering Manager, who holds a national certification as an Energy Manager, the hotel introduced inverter control to precisely regulate the motor speed of large HVAC systems. Despite rising occupancy, this initiative reduced monthly electricity consumption by approximately 10%. This translates to around ¥7 million in annual cost savings, achieving both environmental impact reduction and operational efficiency at a high level.

・Bimonthly "Local Production for Local Consumption" Collaboration Fairs: Leveraging Kagoshima’s rich ingredients, the hotel hosts ongoing culinary initiatives in partnership with local municipalities and shops. Past fairs, such as "Tarumizu City x Italian" and "Nagashima Town x Nordic Cuisine," serve as a platform to communicate the region's charm to guests with a fresh, creative sensibility that goes beyond simple ingredient procurement.

3. Challenges

The next step is expanding specialized initiatives into shared understanding across all staff levels.

・Embedding Awareness Among Frontline Staff: The hotel holds a monthly Sustainability Committee meeting where managers and frontline staff work in pairs. However, the initiative still leans toward management‑driven leadership. A key challenge is translating technical knowledge and numerical data into language that resonates with all employees, enabling them to internalize sustainability as part of their own role.

4．Message

“Our natural hot spring is an invaluable resource, and responsible energy management is essential to preserving it. While we continue achieving measurable results through technical infrastructure improvements, we also aim to share Kagoshima’s rich food culture with the world. Through efforts on both the hardware and software sides, we strive to become a sustainable hotel that is trusted and loved by the local community.”