I stayed at this hotel for one night last week. I was planning to stay longer but had to change my plan. I arrived from Nagoya after midday, walked to the Shukukeien Garden (literally “shrunken-scenery garden” dating back to the early 17th century) and walked along Nagarekawa-dori (Hiroshima’s main entertainment district) to the Hilton.


Hilton Hiroshima from Nagarekawa-dori



Check-in

I had originally booked an entry level King Deluxe Room but later re-booked a King Premium Room for less. I did noticed a King Deluxe Room was slightly cheaper but as the difference was very small I decided not to change again. When online checkin became available I looked at the floor plan and some of the rooms on offer were twin rooms. There must have been some IT glitch and my booking had changed to a twin room. I emailed the hotel and was reassured I would get a King Room. At checkin I mentioned the mixup and they sounded as if they had done me a favour by changing (back) to a King Room. No upgrade was offered.


Room

The room was spacious for a Japanese hotel and was full of latest gadgets. As you stepped into the toilet area the toilet lid opened, the toilet flushed automatically afterwards and closed the lid. Only if you have to lift the seat you have to press a button. Light and temperature control seemed efficient. No dressing gown was provided but I used a yukata instead.














What can be in this intriguing box?


Just a TV remote control and a note pad


View from the room










Standard Crabtree & Evelyn amenities


I did not have the time for the swimming pool or sauna on this trip.


Executive Lounge

I arrived in time for afternoon tea (14:30-16:00) in the executive lounge and had some sandwiches and cakes before walking over to the Atomic Dome.












Food offerings during evening cocktail (17:00-19:00) were quite impressive though some of the food was obviously from earlier in the day. I suspect many guests did not go out for dinner afterwards though gambas al ajillo did not seem to be very popular among them that evening.












Breakfast

There was hardly any queue at around 7:40 for breakfast in Mozaik restaurant on the 6th floor. Gold/Diamond members are given a list of items which can be ordered in addition to very extensive options on offer. The list contained mostly cold drinks but I ordered a speciality local tea which the server told me would be slightly sweet (though I couldn’t tell the difference) and a deep-fried oyster. I had raw oysters for breakfast in Cape Town but not deep-fried ones which happen to be my favourite way of eating oysters in Japan.






Having found there was a boat from near the Peace Memorial (15 minutes’ walk from the Hilton) to Miyajima (or Itsukushima) I decided to go there in the morning. At 2,200 yen one way and taking 45 minutes it’s not the cheapest way to get there but saves you having to go to Hiroshima Station and take a train (JR or streetcar) to Miyajima-guchi for a short crossing to the island. It is advertised as the World Heritage cruise as the route joins two World Heritage sites, the Peace Memorial (Atomic Bomb Dome) and Itsukushima Shrine. It was a little misty on the morning when I went but it could be a scenic boat ride.