Hotele z: Pools w Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

For my Yokohama trip, I chose the InterContinental Yokohama Grand, and the overall experience was absolutely stunning – easily the most satisfying hotel of my Kanto trip. It offered a high-end stay with a perfect blend of city views, quality service, and an unbeatable location, making it ideal for an in-depth exploration of Yokohama, enjoying the nightscapes, and a relaxing getaway. The hotel's location is truly unparalleled. It's right next to Yokohama Port, the iconic Ferris wheel, the Red Brick Warehouse, and shopping districts. Step outside, and you're on a seaside promenade, perfect for walks, photos, and enjoying the night view. World Porters shopping mall and various restaurants and cafes are within walking distance, and there's a convenience store downstairs, so you'll never have to worry about food or shopping. Transportation is also very convenient; it's close to the station and has a direct airport bus, making travel and departures completely hassle-free. The biggest bonus was definitely the unbeatable floor-to-ceiling harbor view. While Japanese hotels are generally on the smaller side, the InterContinental's rooms are spacious and airy, with an elegant and tidy layout. During the day, natural light is abundant, offering expansive views of the clear harbor sky. At sunset, the gentle glow is incredibly therapeutic. As night falls, Yokohama Port lights up brilliantly, and the Ferris wheel's spectacular lights create a magical ambiance. You can enjoy a front-row view of the nightscape right from your bed, and the atmosphere is simply immersive. The overall hardware reflects the quality of an established five-star hotel. The decor is elegant and luxurious, and maintenance is impeccable, showing no signs of age. The bedding in the room was soft and comfortable, and the soundproofing was excellent, ensuring a very quiet night's sleep. The bathroom had a separate wet and dry area, and the toiletries were high-quality and thoughtfully detailed, making for a very comfortable stay. Service was consistently excellent throughout. The front desk efficiently handled check-in with professionalism, and the staff were polite, gentle, and responsive. Luggage storage and room service were meticulous, making the entire experience feel secure and dignified. The hotel's public areas are clean and grand, perfect for strolling, taking photos, or simply relaxing. The only minor drawback is that since the hotel has been open for a while, some of the facilities have a more traditional style, not the trendy minimalist look. However, the overall maintenance is superb, and it doesn't detract from the living experience. Overall, the InterContinental Yokohama Grand is a benchmark hotel that's a must-stay when visiting Yokohama. With its unbeatable views, killer location, and reliably high-quality service, it's highly recommended for couples, families, or independent travelers. I'll definitely choose this place again on my next trip to Yokohama.

The moment our car pulled up, a staff member rushed out to help with our luggage, smiling all the while. They guided us through check-in, even offering a warm towel and welcome tea – talk about a fantastic first impression! Just outside the lobby, there's a lush, green mountain view. Lounging on the beanbag chairs there, just chilling out, was incredibly therapeutic 🌿. The room itself was a typical Japanese style, spacious and spotless. The balcony even had an open-air private onsen tub, so if you didn't feel like going to the public baths, you could soak in your own hot spring while enjoying the view – maximum privacy. The hotel also provided yukata robes, and wearing them around the premises really added to the whole experience 👘. The onsen facilities were definitely the highlight! The public baths on the fifth and sixth floors alternate daily for men and women. The open-air onsen on the sixth floor had an absolutely stunning view – mountains by day, starry skies by night. Soaking in the hot spring with a towel on my head, just zoning out, felt exactly like something out of an anime. The toiletries were POLA, with everything from makeup remover to toner and lotion provided. My skin felt so smooth after the bath, I just went straight back to my room and passed out ♨️✨. For dinner, we chose the teppanyaki. The chef cooked each dish right in front of us, meticulously explaining every course in English. The ingredients were fresh, the seasoning precise – you could really taste the care put into it. Breakfast was a buffet, and having unlimited sashimi rice bowls was pure bliss. Seafood donburi lovers, rejoice! 🍣 On checkout day, a staff member stood at the entrance, bowing goodbye and waving until our car was far out of sight. That feeling of being genuinely cared for truly makes you want to come back again and again.

The hotel's location is truly unbeatable. There's an art gallery and a shopping mall right downstairs, and all major landmarks are within walking distance. Dining options are plentiful; you can open a map app to check ratings and make reservations. We booked a room with laundry facilities, but the room itself was incredibly small. Once luggage was in, there was barely any space to move around, which would be quite inconvenient if you're traveling with children. I'd definitely recommend booking a larger room, especially since there's also a shared laundry room on each floor. One thing I'd like to complain about is that this hotel seems to be a popular spot for influencers, as it's always crowded, even outside of holidays. There's an outdoor hot tub that's quite popular online, requiring a reservation to enter. However, this pool is on the same floor as the check-in area, and the terrace is connected with no barriers. This means that while you're posing in your swimwear, the long line of people checking in have a full view of you, almost like they're observing you through a glass. Plus, non-guests can also access that terrace to take photos. For introverted people, this can be quite awkward. So, if you're coming here primarily for photos, you might not even need to stay at the hotel; booking a table at their restaurant or having a drink at their lobby bar would suffice.

Highly recommend this Kamakura hotel, the breakfast was delicious! The Prince Hotel's room view is absolutely stunning, directly facing Shichirigahama Beach with Enoshima in the distance. It's practically a Kamakura must-visit all in one spot, and there are many beautiful cafes down the hill. Although it's located on a hill, there's a direct elevator from the bottom of the hill up. I highly recommend taking this 'mountain-climbing' elevator, especially if you have luggage – it's super convenient. It's only a few minutes' walk from Kamakura Koko Mae, the Slam Dunk filming location. The entire area is scenic with the Enoden train. Waking up early to take photos there without crowds is amazing. I also recommend taking the Enoden train for one stop, it's only 200 yen, and you'll have a great time!

This was my first time staying at Tokyu, and don't make the mistake I did by thinking the small reception desk at the main entrance is for check-ins – it's not. Check-in is on the second floor. When I first arrived with my child, I asked the ground floor staff if we could check in early, but they didn't mention that check-in was on the second floor. My child and I傻傻 (foolishly) waited until 3 PM to go to the ground floor reception, only to be told to go to the second floor. Once upstairs, there was a long queue, and we didn't get checked in until almost 4 PM. If I had known check-in was on the second floor, my child and I would have gone there to queue much earlier. The front desk staff don't speak Chinese, but the hotel breakfast is good with a wide variety. The location is also very convenient, directly connected to a mall and the subway.

My husband and I stayed at Hotel Okada for 2 nights for our honeymoon, and it was a truly wonderful experience. • Honeymoon Surprise: The staff provided excellent service and even prepared a thoughtful welcome gift for our honeymoon, which made us feel very special. • The Room & Amenities: Our room was spacious, spotless, and very quiet. The highlight was definitely the private open-air bath in the room—so relaxing and peaceful. We were also pleasantly surprised to find complimentary skincare sets and facial masks provided in the room. It shows great attention to detail. • Dining: Both the breakfast and dinner buffets offered a wide variety of delicious options. • Location: Getting to the train station is easy with the shuttle bus that runs on a reliable schedule. If you prefer to walk, it's a pleasant 19-minute walk.

Our entire stay made for a truly wonderful trip! 😊 From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly and received incredibly attentive service. The drinks, amenities, and loungewear were all excellent. Both the indoor and outdoor onsen baths in our room were incredibly relaxing! We also enjoyed the heated pool and steam sauna. I highly recommend checking in early to fully enjoy your hotel stay! I was especially happy that the breakfast had such a wide variety at the salad bar! We'd love to visit again! Thank you very much! 🙇‍♀️

This time, I stayed here with my partner. The room was spacious and comfortable, and the food was delicious. The hot springs were very relaxing, and although the open-air bath was a little small, it was nice to be able to enjoy the view while soaking. The hotel has many services to enjoy during your stay, such as table tennis and a karaoke room (for a fee), and they also rent out board games and Othello. However, I was disappointed that the staff at the front desk seemed a little cold when I asked to rent a board game. Other than that, it was a very satisfying stay. They also offer a bus shuttle service, and I think it's great to be able to enjoy delicious food and hot springs at this price. I would like to stay here again if I have the opportunity.

Our stay at this ryokan was truly exceptional. From the very moment we arrived, the staff was incredibly welcoming and helpful. The traditional-style room was spotlessly clean, and sleeping on the futon turned out to be very comfortable. The highlight of the trip was definitely the hot springs (onsen) – the [open-air bath / private onsen] offered the perfect way to unwind after a full day of exploring Hakone. Both the kaiseki dinner and breakfast were culinary masterpieces. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an authentic Japanese atmosphere and luxury. We will definitely be back!

Every city's soul resides in a hotel. The Peace Hotel in Shanghai, the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, the Ritz Paris. These masterpieces, born from local spirit, aesthetics, and a unique mission, are irreplaceable classics, forever one-of-a-kind. They are undeniably the ultimate experiences to explore in these great cities. In 1871, a 20-year-old Japanese man moved to America for work. After saving enough money, he returned to Japan during the Meiji Restoration and enrolled at Keio University. There, he was enlightened by Fukuzawa Yukichi, the father of modern Japan, and first realized the importance of international tourism. In the same year (1874), Emperor Guangxu was only 3 years old; the gears of history began to turn. Fukuzawa's portrait is still on Japan's highest denomination banknote today. The young man, Yamaguchi, realized that Japan didn't have a true hotel for foreigners. So he picked up a blank piece of paper and began to draw the blueprint for Japan's future state guesthouse: 1. A place foreigners would love most. 2. Close to Tokyo, with beautiful scenery. 3. Must have natural hot springs. The intersection of these three coordinates landed in the Miyanoshita area of Hakone. In 1878, Japan's first resort hotel – Fujiya Hotel – was born. However, fate was cruel; just 5 years later, a major fire engulfed the hotel, along with all records since its opening, turning everything to ash. The once eternal legacy became as thin as a wisp of smoke. Fortunately, Yamaguchi resolutely chose to rebuild. In 1891, the new building was completed and has been operating ever since. The symmetrical facade and main entrance portico emphasize a solemn ”frontality.” Inside, there are sofas, fireplaces, and radiators. Even the height of the doorknobs and beds was customized to suit the stature of Westerners. Yet, at the same time, the graceful curves of the Japanese roof, vermillion railings, and dragon wood carvings constantly remind you – this is Japan. No other hotel can better interpret the four characters ”Wa-Yo setchū” (a blend of Japanese and Western styles) than Fujiya Hotel. During the war, it interned over 70 European and Central/South American diplomats. Over a hundred years, the countless celebrities, dignitaries, and royals it hosted are dazzling: Charlie Chaplin, John Lennon, Albert Einstein, Yukio Mishima, The King of Belgium, the Crown Prince of Sweden, the Duke of Windsor, Emperor Hirohito, the Last Emperor Puyi, Chiang Kai-shek... For nearly 150 years, Fujiya Hotel has witnessed the collapse of countless colossal powers. How many kings and generals once stood by its west-facing windows, witnessing the twilight of their empires? I checked in during early summer, like pushing open a door to time. The hustle and bustle had long faded, but it still retained its former glory, humbly yet proudly refusing to awaken. Time stands still here, leaving amber-like imprints, as if nothing has ever truly left.