I have not stayed here yet, the location puts me off a lot. Transportation options are limited and expensive, so this should be a prime consideration when booking this hotel.

I have, however, stayed at 2 hotels in Japan that had both been taken over by a major brand within 6 months- Hilton Niseko Village (formerly Prince Higashiyama in Dec 2008) and The Kiriro, a Tribute Portfolio hotel (formerly Hotel Piano).

As I have stayed at the Niseko property every year since, it seems to take around 12 months for them to start to adapt to the chain branding and offerings, including giving better upgrades. It is common in Japan for hotels to nickel and dime everything and pools/fitness centres are the worst.

I think you will find the pool to be free within 18 months of takeover, at least for diamonds and probably golds. Please complain to Hilton and this will push things along.

Similarly with the checkin time. The Japanese can be pretty crazy about their rules at times and we have seen this "3pm and not a second prior" in several other places. Again, once full conversion takes place and with enough complaints they will begin to function like a "normal" hotel.

On the plus side, they will always offer full breakfast for diamonds and probably golds because that is also the done thing in Asia, and you will never get less than the minimum stated benefits on the HH website.