This is one of the newest Hilton hotels in Japan and the only option in Hiroshima. It is also one of the better hotels in this city. Naturally, it is my choice of abode for my stay in Hiroshima. It is so exciting to check out a new town. I have been wanting to visit Hiroshima for a long time. It has always been a city that intrigued me due to its history. The hotel is about 2 years old now. It was quite a last-minute booking given the impromptu nature of my trip. It does have a slightly subpar location with it being about a 10-minute stroll away from the core city centre but everything is still very much walkable in Hiroshima. It does have pretty good bus connections.
Booking Process & Pre Arrival
I got some prior information from the hotel itself regarding the transportation and the rooms. I booked directly from Hilton and will be staying here for 3 nights. This was rather last minute and by the time I made the booking, only the Premium category was left. The night before my stay, I could see that my room had been upgraded to an executive room. This would have cost around 30,000 yen a night. The Director of Operations also reached out to provide some detailed info and arrival information. Hilton Hiroshima comes with 420 guest rooms and suites spread across 10 categories. You can check out the breakdown below.
| Rooms | Executive Lounge Access | Bathtub | Room Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe | No | Yes | 35 Sqm |
| Premium | No | Yes | 35 Sqm |
| Deluxe Corner | No | Yes | 48 Sqm |
| Premium Corner | No | Yes | 48 Sqm |
| Executive | Yes | Yes | 35 Sqm |
| Executive Corner | Yes | Yes | 48 Sqm |
| One Bedroom Suite | Yes | Yes | 71 Sqm |
| Deluxe Suite | Yes | Yes | 92 Sqm |
| Premium Suite | Yes | Yes | 127 Sqm |
| Presidential Suite | Yes | Yes | 163 Sqm |
Checking In
I got the Shinkansen from Tokyo and it was about a 4 hours ride. This is the most southern part of Japan I have been to so far. The vibes here are certainly different and Hiroshima is also a very uniquely different city. There are no metros here but only streetcars and buses. These are like trams. The hotel is pretty well connected by bus with the stops within a 2-minute walk. It will take around 15 minutes for the bus ride. I took a taxi on arrival which cost around 1200 yen. On departure, I got the bus instead. Upon arrival, the bellboy came over to help me with my bags. Service is excellent here. I loved the decor and the scent of the place once I entered. The huge bonsai in the middle also brightens up the place. This hotel is only opened for 2 years and everything still looks to be in tip-top condition. They have two entrances over here with one more suited for pedestrians by the main street and another side one with a driveway.
I was ushered over to the check-in area which comes with a priority queue. It was quiet when I arrived in the early evening. The polished staff warmly welcomed me as a diamond member and provided me with all the information for the stay. I was also reconfirmed the upgrade and my bags were sent up.
Twin Executive Room
I was assigned a room on the 19th floor. This is one of the highest floors of the hotel. 1917 is just a short walk away from the elevators. This time around, I got a room with a twin configuration. The room here measures a cosy 35 Sqm. I love the modern look of the room. It is very nicely decorated and appropriate with a great layout. The room comes with everything that you may require for the stay and a gorgeous view of the city that hits you upon entering.
By the spacious entranceway, you can find the entrance to the bathroom on the right. It comes with only a single sink but there is plenty of space and as usual in this part of the world, you have a bidet toilet.
All sorts of toiletries and amenities are provided and Crabtree and Evelyn products can be found in large pump-size bottles. The bathroom features both a separate bathtub as well as a standing shower. Both of them are in the shower room. This configuration is ideal as it allows you to get from the tub to the shower straight without water getting all over the place. The water pressure and temperature control is excellent. Sadly, it only comes with a handheld showerhead. I did wish that there was a rainforest one.
Moving on to the rest of the room. There is a large spacious wardrobe which comes with bath slippers, a safe and plenty of hangers.
Opposite it is a large suitcase area that could nicely fit a mid-size suitcase well. Additional portable luggage racks are available upon request.
The minibar is right next to the wardrobe. It comes with a mini fridge that is left empty for your use. You have both a kettle and a proper Nespresso coffee machine. Packaged tea and capsules are provided. I appreciate having a proper coffee machine here. Complimentary bottles of mineral water are available and these are provided during daily housekeeping.
The high-quality television is in the middle of the room mounted on the wall. It comes with a good number of local TV channels. You can also use Netflix on it.
In the corner, is a circular table that acts as both the working desk and a dining table. It is spacious enough to dine on. It will be great for room service or some takeout. This also comes with two chairs. Power outlets and plugs are within reach and the wifi connection is very stable.
The twin beds take up most of the space in the room. It is the centrepiece of the entire room. It comes with plenty of pillows and they were plush. I got a firmer one and slept well The bed is plush and on the softer side. In the middle and on both sides of the bed, you can find nightstands. Controls for the lights and power outlets are within reach. I love that they even had USB ports available. Full mark on this aspect. The bedding was high quality.
The room comes with a great view of Hiroshima city and even the islands off the coast. They were lovely and you can see far out when the weather is good.
Fitness Centre
The facilities are all located on the 5th floor. Everything is well maintained. The facility is open 24 hours which allows you to use it anytime you fancy. The place comes with a good number of pieces of equipment. Everything is well maintained. Towels and water are provided. You have a lovely view of the city to accompany you.
Pool
The hotel comes with a 20-meter indoor pool. The facility is open from 6am to 9pm with the last entry at 8.30pm. I used the pool once during my stay. The main pool is a good size for doing laps and it also comes with a nice jacuzzi. The heated pool allows the facility to be used all year round. This can be rather relaxing after a long day of sightseeing. The place is gorgeous with the pool being designed and decorated by the inspired by tori gates. Towels are provided.
There are also two sauna rooms, one unisex and one women-only, and cold bath and shower facilities are available.
Executive Lounge
Diamond status guests and those who book an executive room and above are accorded access to the exclusive executive lounge located on the 22 floor. This is one of the nicest areas of the hotel. It is open daily from 6.30am to 9pm with evening cocktails provided from 5pm to 7pm. Service is excellent over here and the staff are polished. Hirolly and Yui were amazing here. The lounge is of a good size and very comfortable. It has a residential vibe. You can catch a gorgeous sunset here. This will be a great spot if you want to work and have a change of environment. You can find some pictures of the lounge here.
The lounge also boasts an amazing view of the surrounding area and the mountains.
Throughout the other timing, you have access to all-day non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
I got in just in time for evening cocktails on the first evening which is quite a spread. The staff are very polished in going around to clear dishes and tables. Drinks-wise, they have a good selection of spirits, beers, wines, sake and shochu. I love the local touch.
There is also this tornado draft beer machine which is very much fun. You can fill the beer from the bottom and have the perfect beer-to-froth ratio.
Food wise that consists of a small salad station, cheese, fruits, cakes, fried spring rolls, and stir-fries. The selection also changes from day to day to keep things fresh. It is worth dropping by to rest your legs and drop off your bags before heading out for dinner.
Breakfast is also offered at the lounge which offers a much more private environment. The timing is from 7am to 10.30am, till 11am on weekends and public holidays. The selection is smaller than the main restaurant but you will be assured of the service and privacy. There are also some local Hiroshima options. This might be a good option if you are in a rush and just wanna grab a bite. Here you can find some pictures of the selection.
The drinks options are much better at the executive lounge, especially the coffee. Nespresso coffee rather than those random coffee machines that are available at the restaurant.
Breakfast at Mozaik Restaurant
Breakfast is currently served from 6.30 am to 10am on weekdays and till 10.30am on weekends. I do feel that the timing is way too early and they should be more generous about it. It was busy and packed when I went down for breakfast in the morning at around 8am. The place is rather packed. I love the restaurant look and it comes with a good view of the surrounding area too. They also have some outdoor tables which might be ideal when the weather is good.
I was warmly welcomed in and shown to a table. They also brought over these little folded cranes to mark your Hilton status and to show that the table is taken. A special drinks menu for elite holders is also offered. This is common in Japan and I love the concept where they try to differentiate and make you feel a little special as compared to some places where your status is useless. Awesome elite treatment here.
Here are some pictures of the selection. I won’t say that the selection is entirely huge but it is a good speed and the quality is there. I love that they had some of the local speciality too. This gives you an insight into the culinary delights of the city you are staying in.
I love the noodle station which had udon and dandan noodles. I just wish that they had some variation to the menu as it just remains the same for all 3 mornings that I was here.
Conclusion
It is always nice to be staying somewhere this new! I love new hotels. Everything is well-maintained and in good condition. The stay is very comfortable with good pricing. This is my recommended choice. I also have nothing but good things to say about the lounge staff. They are polished and always go around engaging in small talk and offering refills. Having an executive lounge also makes it even better. It will be a solid option to explore Hiroshima. The room is lovely and comes with a great view of the surrounding area. You should be able to explore most of the city on foot.
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