Hiroshima Grand Intelligent Hotel — Hotel in Hiroshima

Japanese architecture 101 - Golden Rule - NEVER ask a Japanese architect to design a European style hotel. It is guaranteed to look like something more fitting to Disney World. The entrance foyer to the Grand intelligent Hotel in Hiroshima made a clear statement of what was to come - an English fireplace and two suits of armour. To describe the reception area as tacky would be a gross understatement. Make a list of everything that symbolises Europe and randomly incorporate them into your hotel foyer. Fortunately there was no miniature Eiffel Tower or slow, claustrophobic French lift but there was a French courtyard reproduction. I kid you not!||Now that has covered all of the negatives, leaving only the positives. The room, on any World standard, was enormous, with a separate toilet and bathroom. The size is best visualised in number of doors - 7. The bedroom area was about twice the size of our room in the Washington Hotel in Tokyo. Two comfortable, double beds and enough lounge sofa to comfortably seat 6+ people, all in European style, with heavily patterned carpet and curtains and lots of timber finishing. Lots of power points for your electronic devices.||The bathroom was large with a separate bath/shower area, with a large, well-designed bath. Epsom salts to ease those aching tourist bones. The shower operation was marginally confusing but let’s not split hairs! ||Now, whilst we are sure all the room are of similar European design, they probably vary in size. We were on a tour so can’t comment on price, but if room 607 is available at an affordable price, register your interest quickly.||Convenient location with a small Seven-11 on the corner and a large number of restaurants within walking distance at the Central Station.||Breakfast was very good with a wide choice, including the usual hot (lukewarm) items. The small custards were particularly nice.||So hard to fault if you look beyond the eclectic decor. HIGHLY...

The reception area is fascinating considering you are in Japan. It's got surprisingly old world charm which seems to correspond well with an aging yet elegant property- very much at odds with my idea of Japanese stereotypes. The rooms were tiny and need a little renovation, carpets somewhat dinghy, but the service was impeccable due to the polite and respectful Japanese culture. Buffet style breakfast is served in uppermost floor unassuming restaurant, with an astonishing view of the hills around Hiroshima- the same hills and topography which were a factor in choosing Hiroshima as a site to utilize and measure effects of a-bomb. This chilling thought haunted my breakfast and the tears flowed abundantly. Option was given at check-in to buy breakfast cheaper than at restaurant. Breakfast was good but a hybrid of Japanese and American style, possibly not committing to, or perfecting either (this was a common problem for me in Japan). Location excellent though somewhat confusing to get to in the beginning. Make sure you know which exit to utilize from the Hiroshima train station. And make sure you don't to the other Hiroshima Intelligent (but not "grand"). On exiting from appropriate exit, we were still not sure how to get to the hotel-there was,apparently a huge sign above the building itself, across the river- but it was in Japanese (not helpful to us). Interesting and unexpected...

The reception area is fascinating considering you are in Japan. It's got surprisingly old world charm which seems to correspond well with an aging yet elegant property- very much at odds with my idea of Japanese stereotypes. The rooms were tiny and need a little renovation, carpets somewhat dinghy, but the service was impeccable due to the polite and respectful Japanese culture. Buffet style breakfast is served in uppermost floor unassuming restaurant, with an astonishing view of the hills around Hiroshima- the same hills and topography which were a factor in choosing Hiroshima as a site to utilize and measure effects of a-bomb. This chilling thought haunted my breakfast and the tears flowed abundantly. Option was given at check-in to buy breakfast cheaper than at restaurant. Breakfast was good but a hybrid of Japanese and American style, possibly not committing to, or perfecting either (this was a common problem for me in Japan). Location excellent though somewhat confusing to get to in the beginning. Make sure you know which exit to utilize from the Hiroshima train station. And make sure you don't to the other Hiroshima Intelligent (but not "grand"). On exiting from appropriate exit, we were still not sure how to get to the hotel-there was,apparently a huge sign above the building itself, across the river- but it was in Japanese (not helpful to us). Interesting and unexpected...