Candeo Hotels Tokyo Roppongi

Candeo Hotels Tokyo Roppongi

Candeo Hotels Tokyo Roppongi is one of the hotels in which I stayed this September during my trip across Japan. One of the main reasons I had chosen Candeo Hotels Tokyo Roppongi was its absolutely ideal location in the heart of Tokyo's most fun nightlife district, Roppongi. It's hard to overstate how perfectly located this hotel is. For example, I never had to walk more than 10-minutes to a bar or club that I wanted to visit, and the Roppongi metro station is only located a short 5 minute walk away from the hotel. This allows me to rapidly go wherever I wanted in the area, and to return to the hotel as well if I needed without much effort. For example, one night I was in a bar with my friend, he accidentally spilled beer all over my shirt. Usually, that's a big problem because often the bars I visit are far away from the hotel in which I stay. However, since I was staying in Candeo Hotels Tokyo Roppongi, I only had to take a short walk to the hotel to change, and I was back in 15 minutes tops.

One more reason why booking a hotel in a nightlife district is an advantage is the fact that trains and other public transportation do not operate after midnight in Japan. The only option you have is a taxi, which is extremely expensive. That is why, if you're planning on experiencing Japan's famous nightlife, you should definitely book a hotel that is located near all the clubs and bars you want to visit.

The hotel itself is easily recognizable since it is a tall slender building, with the name Candeo Hotels written on the side with large shiny letters. Even though this is a busy nightlife district, the area around the hotel itself is calm and quiet at night.

A few more things that make this hotel a great choice are, other than it's perfect location, the spectacular Skyspa located at the top floor, and a rich breakfast buffet they have in the hotel. The Skyspa is particularly amazing since it enabled me to relax after many fun and crazy Roppongi nights, while the breakfast buffet gave me the much-needed energy boost each morning.

I will talk more about these great things and many others in my following blog posts, so stay tuned. Also, I suggest that you check out Candeo Hotels Tokyo Roppongi to learn more about this fine hotel.

Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Hotel New Otani Tokyo

During my trip across Japan this September, I had the luxury of staying at many amazing hotels and the chance to experience things I never did before. But one of the highlights of this entire trip was definitely the Hotel New Otani Tokyo. This hotel is located in Tokyo's Chiyoda City at the very heart of Tokyo. Many famous tourist destinations such as the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, and Kanda Shrine are located only a short trip away.

The hotel is conveniently located near the Akasaka-Mitsuke Station, so if you take the subway there you do not have to walk along to reach the hotel. I was very tired from my trip so I was lucky that I didn't have to walk a long time to reach it. Hotel New Otani Tokyo has 3 buildings included and these are the New Otani Garden Court, New Otani Garden Tower, and the Main in which my room was located. It also has a spectacular Japanese garden that is over 400 years old. I have to say that the garden was truly one of the selling points for me personally, and I strolled through it many times when I was there. One thing that amazed me when I finally arrived at the hotel was its sheer size. As I already said, it incorporates three buildings and has a capacity of over 2000 visitors, all of which are provided with world-class care. There are also many meeting halls and banquet rooms inside the hotel itself. Because of that, Hotel New Otani Tokyo is often used as a venue for many summits and meetings. One more perk of this hotel is a large number of restaurants, bars, and lounges, all of which are high class and extremely luxurious. As a matter of fact, there are 38 restaurants and 33 banquet rooms in this hotel. One part of the hotel that I especially enjoyed was the buffet restaurant "View & Dining The Sky" located at the top of the hotel. It offers a wide variety of meals all with a spectacular 360-degree view of the city.

Regarding the room in which stayed, as you probably guessed it, it was absolutely amazing. It was just what I expected from a hotel such as this and, in many ways, it exceeded my expectations. I will talk more about the room in a following blog post so stay tuned. I also loved the decor of the hotel which was clearly inspired by a fusion of traditional Japanese and modern Western style.

As I already said, one of the main selling points of this hotel is the spectacular traditional Japanese garden. It contains a wide variety of flowers, trees, bushes, and other foliage. It is decorated in a traditional style and contains several ponds and even a big waterfall which is a perfect place to take some unforgettable photos. There's also a restaurant located right in the center of the garden so you can dine while being surrounded by this beautiful nature. This amazing garden truly feels like an oasis of peace and serenity in a buzzing city that never sleeps. 

Honestly, this was one of the most impressive hotels I have ever been to, and I am looking forward to coming here again. If you like what you see, I strongly suggest that you check out the website of the Hotel New Otani Tokyo for more information. Also, stay tuned to this blog for more of my adventures in Japan.

THE GATE HOTEL Kaminarimon

THE GATE HOTEL Kaminarimon

THE GATE HOTEL Kaminarimon is a modern and stylish hotel located in Tokyo's historic Asakusa District. I had the pleasure of staying in this hotel during my trip across Japan last September, and I was very satisfied with what it had to offer. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of Asakusa just a short walk away from the subway station. I had no problem finding the hotel, as it is easily recognizable by its modern look and the golden logo in the shape of kanji for "gate", 門 (mon). After entering the hotel I took the elevator to the 13th floor where the lobby is located. 

Immediately upon exiting the elevator I was blown away by a spectacular view from the lobby floor. I could see the whole Asakusa laid out in front of me from here. Sensoji temple, its pagoda, Kaminarimon gate, and Nakamise-dōri which connects the two, we're right in front of me. A little further off in the distance I could see the majestic Tokyo Skytree and surrounding buildings such as the famous Asahi Beer Hall. The check-in procedure was completed quickly and I was given a quick rundown of the hotel and its rules, after which I headed to my room.

The room in which I stayed was located on the 9th floor and was an Essential Twin type of room. As the name of the room would suggest, it had all the Essential things you would expect from a hotel room of this type and it was really cozy. Other than spacious and comfortable beds, the room also had a refrigerator, large flat-screen TV, electric pot, espresso machine, safe box, hairdryer, and of course free Wi-Fi, which is probably the most essential thing for me. It also included amenities such as towels, nightwear, and many toiletries. View from the room was quite similar to the one from the lobby, and even though it was several floors lower than the lobby, the amazing Tokyo Skytree was still in full view. Keep in mind that this view was from our room specifically and I cannot guarantee that your room will have the same view. So if you want to enjoy this view yourself, make sure to book the right room.

The bathroom was one more thing that I really enjoyed in this room. It was larger than I expected and had two separate compartments. One included a sink and bidet toilet, while the other one was entirely like a big shower. That was perfect for me since I am a bit taller than average and often have problems with tiny showers on Japan. This allowed me to take some nice relaxing hot showers without worrying about hitting my head.

I have to say that I was extremely satisfied by this room especially considering how affordable it is compared to some other accommodation in Tokyo. It's really ideal if you're planning on visiting this part of Tokyo and exploring Asakusa and nearby districts, or just enjoying the nightlife offered in this area. I definitely recommend that you check out the website of THE GATE HOTEL Kaminarimon and learn more about what they have to offer. Also, make sure to check out our other posts and website where I talk more about my experience here.

Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers

Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers

Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers is a luxurious hotel located in central Yokohama. I stayed in this great hotel during my trip across Japan last September. I always wanted to visit Yokohama, and when I decided that I will go there, I started looking for a nice hotel to stay at. Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel seemed like a perfect choice for me. Is located right next to Yokohama Station, so I was extremely well connected to the whole city and the surrounding area. I was so glad that after my long trip from Nagano Prefecture, I didn't need to drag my luggage far after getting off the train. Later when I was exploring Yokohama, every destination that I wanted to visit was just a short train or subway ride away from the hotel.

The building itself has 28 floors and it dominates the main area around the Yokohama station, so you cannot miss it when you exit the station. As you enter the hotel you will probably be impressed by its gigantic lobby. I was blown away when I saw it. The lobby area stretches over three floors and it is connected by wide staircases and escalators. There is a nice looking bar there where you can relax while waiting for check-in, or just drop by even if you are not staying in the hotel. For the guests of the hotel there is a special area where you can pour free beer for yourself. The whole lobby area in general looks quite luxurious and is beautifully decorated with several artworks and a huge chandelier hanging above. There are a lot of staff members in the lobby and around the check-in area, so they will be able to help you if you have any problems.

I'm sure you have all heard about the high standard of quality and service that Sheraton hotels offer, and I'm glad to say that this one is no exception to that rule. Everything from rooms and amenities, to service and other facilities, is on a high level. Across its 28 floors, Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel offers a wide variety of bar lounges and restaurants. Sheraton Club Lounge is one of those that I enjoyed a lot. It is an exclusive lounge for the Sheraton Club guests which can be accessed most of the day. It offers free breakfast in the morning, snacks and hot beverages during the day, and cocktails and other drinks in the evening. All that with an amazing view of the whole city.

Another great place where you can enjoy some good drinks and an even better view of the city is the Sky view Lounge Bar at the 28th floor of the hotel. There you can enjoy quality cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. On the same floor there is a luxurious French restaurant "Bay View" that is ideal for both romantic dinners with your partner or business meals with important clients. Along with the amazing prepared and presented "gourmet food", and a high degree of hospitality, it offers a spectacular view of the Yokohama Bay area. On the second floor, there is another restaurant which I enjoyed called buffet restaurant Compass. It offers all-day buffets and the guests of the hotel receive coupons for free breakfast there. I really enjoyed the wide variety of Western, Chinese, and Japanese dishes, particularly their are omelette and french toast. If you plan on sightseeing, I recommend that you have a large breakfast since you will need the energy to explore everything Yokohama has to offer.

But the best restaurant I went to in the Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel is a traditional Japanese restaurant Ko-No-Hana. I will talk more about this amazing restaurant in detail in another post. It is safe to say that I was absolutely amazed by the dinner I had there, and I hope I will have the chance to go there again. 

Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel also has a sports club with a gym and a pool, photo booths, shops, beauty salons, and many other facilities that make your stay there even better. I wish I had more time to stay at this hotel, and I know that when I come back to Yokohama I will definitely stay here again. I suggest that you check out their website and learn more. And if you're planning to visit Yokohama, look no further this luxurious and renown hotel.

Shibu Onsen Kokuya

Shibu Onsen Kokuya

Kokuya is a traditional Japanese-styled inn, also known as a ryokan, located in Shibu Onsen, a small town in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture. Kokuya has a long history since it was founded almost 400 years ago and is currently overseen by the 16th generation of owners, making it one of the oldest hotels in Japan. Even though it is located far from the major cities like Tokyo or Nagoya, it is relatively easily accessible. I took a 4 hour-long bus ride from Shinjuku to Nagano, where I transferred to a local train, and one hour later I was in Shibu Onsen. There I was greeted by the staff of Kokuya who escorted me to the ryokan. 

When you get to the town and to the ryokan itself, you can feel the weight of history all around you. Everything is decorated in a traditional way and it makes you feel like you traveled back to a more simpler time. I really enjoyed the look and feel of Kokuya from the moment I got there. Not only did the staff pick me up at the train station, but when I arrived to Kokuya itself, even more members of the staff were waiting to greet me. They were all very friendly and explained to me all about Kokuya and how to experience it in the best possible way. Shibu Onsen Kokuya itself consists of three buildings that are connected and they contain many rooms and hot spring baths. 

The rooms are separated into two groups, ones with a private open-air bath with hot spring water and without one. The ones that have a private open-air bath with hot spring water included inside the room are separated into three categories C, B and A, from which A is the best. All rooms have that traditional look and feel and no matter in which one you stay at, I believe that you would enjoy it since it is quite a unique experience. 

Kokuya also has six public and two private baths that use free-flowing hot spring water from six different spring sources, and the guests can enjoy all of them. The private ones can only be occupied by one group of guests and the rest are free to use by everyone, however they are gender restricted. Half of them are for men and half for women, but every 12 hours they change which gender is allowed to use that bath. Some of them are outdoor or some of them are indoor, some are more large while some are smaller, some have warm water some have extremely hot water, so there's something for everyone. And if that is not enough for you, there are 9 additional public hot springs located inside town just a short walk from Kokuya. You can access them thanks to the key you receive as the guest of the ryokan. Apart from the rooms and baths, Kokuya has several dining rooms most of which have private enclosures so you can dine in private. 

One more thing I want to point out is the surrounding area. It has several interesting, although less known places you should visit. Some of these are mount Yokoteyama, Kusatsu-Shirane volcano, and the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park where you can witness Japanese snow monkeys bathing in natural hot springs. To conclude, Kokuya has a lot to offer, and if you want to get that feel of traditional rural Japan, it is an ideal place to stay at.

InterContinental Tokyo Bay

InterContinental Tokyo Bay

During my trip to Japan I visited many amazing places and stayed at some great hotels. One of these is the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay. Intercontinental Tokyo Bay Hotel is a 5-star hotel located in the center of Tokyo's Minato district, which gives it good connectivity to major parts of the city like Ginza and Odaiba. It is easily accessible since it is connected by a walkway to the Takeshiba Station, and the hotel offers a free shuttle bus that commutes from the hotel to Shinagawa station and Hamamatsucho station, from which it takes about 20 min with the monorail to reach Haneda Airport. For me, the location was ideal since I planned on exploring Odaiba and going for some shopping in Ginza. Also, the Tokyo Tower is nearby, so I recommend everyone that stays in this hotel, to take a night stroll to the Tokyo Tower to enjoy it for close by.
The InterContinental brand has always been known for its high level of service and luxury they offer. This can be seen when you enter its spectacular lobby which, among others, features are large and beautiful Japanese traditional artwork. 

Also, there's a New York Lounge Bar located in the lobby which is absolutely spectacular to see, and there's also an award-winning cake shop which offers a variety of cakes, baked goods, & hotel original goods carefully created by Executive Chef Pâtissier Junji Tokunaga. I have to say that I was impressed by the staff of the hotel. They were all quite professional and very well versed in English. Upon my arrival, I was escorted to my room and explained everything I need to know to enjoy my stay at the hotel.

The Intercontinental Tokyo Bay Hotel offers several kinds of rooms that are divided into two groups according to the view they offer. These are the Riverside view rooms, which offer beautiful views of the Sumida river and the city, and the Bay View rooms, which have a breathtaking view of the entire Tokyo Bay and the famous Rainbow Bridge. The room in which I stayed was the Superior Bay View room. The room itself has all the amenities you can expect from a high-end luxury hotel room. From beautiful high-quality furniture and a flat-screen TV, 2 the coffee machine and the Bluetooth Entertainment System, and many more cool things. 

The bathroom is also quite spacious and luxurious and offers you the ability to either take a shower or take a nice hot bath in the bathtub. But the selling point of the entire room for me personally, is the absolutely spectacular view that it offers of the entire Tokyo Bay. The whole city is at your fingertips as you watch the ships cruise down the river, and as tiny cars drive along the streets. You can spend days there just enjoying the view taking in the vista of the beautiful, never sleeping city.

This luxurious hotel has so much to offer and I definitely recommend that you check out their website and, if you like what you see, that you book a stay.