ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe by IHG — Hotel in Kobe

My wife and I had an excellent 3 nights stay at ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe in October right after the Japan Government removed the institutional quarantine measures enforced on inbound visitors. We had not made any overseas trip in the past 3 years in light of the COVID pandemic so we were excited taking this trip to Japan. This was the first time we stayed at this Hotel and we were highly satisfied with our stay there.

This Hotel is in a large complex building and is conveniently situated above the Shin Kobe subway station. The elevator at the lower ground of this Hotel is just 20 meters from the subway exit which can also access to a large supermarket. The lobby is located at the 4/F which is quite huge, bright and well designed. Staff at the front desk were experienced, polite and courteous. The whole check in process was smooth.

We stayed at a spacious two double bed room. It was a bit run-down and outdated but everything was clean and tidy. There was a writing desk, a coffee table and two sofa seats. We stayed at high floor zone and had great view from our room.

We enjoyed the buffet breakfast every morning which had a good assortment of both Japanese and western meals. We also had a great teppanyaki dinner at Kitano in the Hotel. The décor, the food and the services of this restaurant were so excellent we do not need to bother to look for another teppanyaki restaurant when we come back to Kobe in the future. The Club Lounge is located at the top floor. It served a good selection of liquors, wines and snacks at cocktail time. There was something special the Lounge also offered a wide range of Sake from easy drinking to extra dry so everyone could easily pick up his own favorable Sake after a round of tasting drinks. I have to extend my sincere gratitude to Ms. Satomi Goto, the Club Lounge Manager, who provided me good guidance for choosing the Sake wine.

All the staff at ANA Crowene Plaza Kobe were professional, friendly and courteous. We received good services at the Club Lounge, the restaurants, the bar and the front desk. Special thanks to Mr. Kohei Nakahata, the front desk manager, who shown me around the Hotel and walked me through all the transportation accesses adjacent to the Hotel. Mr. Nakahata also provided me a list of his personal recommended restaurants.

The Hotel is just one subway station from the Sannomiya station which is the hub in Kobe for transportation, shopping, dinning and entertainment. There are hundreds of restaurants inside the Sannomiya station and within few minutes walking from the station offering a full spectrum of cuisines. A guest staying at ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe can enjoy the calm neighborhood where the Hotel is located but still have the convenience for all tourist activities.

If a visitor plans to visit the Kobe Sanda Premium Outlet this Hotel is the best choice for your stay in Kansai region. There is a shuttle bus stop located at a footbridge adjacent to the Hotel and the travel time to the Outlet is only 45 minutes. This Hotel also offers convenient access to Osaka, Kyoto and Arima Onsen.

Overall an excellent hotel with good customer services and great location...

My wife and I had an excellent 3 nights stay at ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe in October right after the Japan Government removed the institutional quarantine measures enforced on inbound visitors. We had not made any overseas trip in the past 3 years in light of the COVID pandemic so we were excited taking this trip to Japan. This was the first time we stayed at this Hotel and we were highly satisfied with our stay there.

This Hotel is in a large complex building and is conveniently situated above the Shin Kobe subway station. The elevator at the lower ground of this Hotel is just 20 meters from the subway exit which can also access to a large supermarket. The lobby is located at the 4/F which is quite huge, bright and well designed. Staff at the front desk were experienced, polite and courteous. The whole check in process was smooth.

We stayed at a spacious two double bed room. It was a bit run-down and outdated but everything was clean and tidy. There was a writing desk, a coffee table and two sofa seats. We stayed at high floor zone and had great view from our room.

We enjoyed the buffet breakfast every morning which had a good assortment of both Japanese and western meals. We also had a great teppanyaki dinner at Kitano in the Hotel. The décor, the food and the services of this restaurant were so excellent we do not need to bother to look for another teppanyaki restaurant when we come back to Kobe in the future. The Club Lounge is located at the top floor. It served a good selection of liquors, wines and snacks at cocktail time. There was something special the Lounge also offered a wide range of Sake from easy drinking to extra dry so everyone could easily pick up his own favorable Sake after a round of tasting drinks. I have to extend my sincere gratitude to Ms. Satomi Goto, the Club Lounge Manager, who provided me good guidance for choosing the Sake wine.

All the staff at ANA Crowene Plaza Kobe were professional, friendly and courteous. We received good services at the Club Lounge, the restaurants, the bar and the front desk. Special thanks to Mr. Kohei Nakahata, the front desk manager, who shown me around the Hotel and walked me through all the transportation accesses adjacent to the Hotel. Mr. Nakahata also provided me a list of his personal recommended restaurants.

The Hotel is just one subway station from the Sannomiya station which is the hub in Kobe for transportation, shopping, dinning and entertainment. There are hundreds of restaurants inside the Sannomiya station and within few minutes walking from the station offering a full spectrum of cuisines. A guest staying at ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe can enjoy the calm neighborhood where the Hotel is located but still have the convenience for all tourist activities.

If a visitor plans to visit the Kobe Sanda Premium Outlet this Hotel is the best choice for your stay in Kansai region. There is a shuttle bus stop located at a footbridge adjacent to the Hotel and the travel time to the Outlet is only 45 minutes. This Hotel also offers convenient access to Osaka, Kyoto and Arima Onsen.

Overall an excellent hotel with good customer services and great location...

I have stayed many times at this hotel for the past 2 years. The experience was perfect and the staff and service is still the best.

But for some reason, on my last visit, I was told the lounge was closed and no longer available. And when I asked why, the front desk clerk only told me that it was a decision by upper management. Maybe it was language or my misunderstanding, but I thought the lounge was closed permanently.

Our Japan office staff was also with me when I checked in, after talking with the front desk, he also told me that the staff told him, the lounge was closed permanently and no longer available.

However, the next morning heading to 4th floor for breakfast, I saw my friends, who was also staying at the hotel. They told me the lounge was still open. I immediately called the front desk to check and was told the lounge is still available.

So during my checkout, I asked the front desk clerk again about the lounge and I was told it was my misunderstanding. He said the lounge is no longer available for spire ambassador at no charge. He also mentioned it was not the decision of the hotel staff, it was by the managers and upper management. I was also told the hotel staff even help and talked to the upper management, but upper management refused. I was also told this was applied to all IHG.

I stayed at Crown Plaza Manchester UK, AMS Netherland, Crown Plaza China, and many other countries, I was still able to use the lounge. Even other cities in Japan, Crown Plaza Japan, lounge was still available. I do not know why only KOBE was changed and was told this was the new rule for all Crown Plaza hotels.

I hesitate on writing this review for two month now, the reason was that I didn't want to get the staffs or other Crown Plaza in trouble. But I was told by the hotel staff from Kobe Crown Plaza to help write this so that the upper management knows about this issue.

Again, the hotel is a great hotel, traditional and friendly. I have received the best of service from all, not only the lounge staff, front desk staff, bell desk, all the hotel restaurant staff, their friendliness and service is one of the best. There is no complaint here, just wondering why the changes only apply to this hotel. Trying to find answers.

If any other Royal or Spire out there that had the same issues and knows the answers, please let me...