(HOLLYWOOD PRESS CORPS) – HIROSHIMA, JAPAN – Out of all the cities in the world, Hiroshima might be the last place you’d expect to find a four-star hotel. Yet here I was, staying in one. And as I gazed out into a bustling metropolis beneath me, my brain tried to process how just80 years ago, luxury was last to exist amongst what little remained standing.
For those who are not students of history, fate played a cruel role in shaping Hiroshima’s story. In the twilight of World War II, the nuclear die was cast, and Hiroshima was doomed to carry on a legacy around the world as a place of death and destruction.
But in Hiroshima itself, legacy has an ever-changingdefinition.
The Hatchobori district is a perfect example of that evolving legacy. And Candeo Hotels sits smack dab in itsbeating heart. Located about 10 minutes by tram from Hiroshima Station, Candeo Hotels is in a perfect location for travelers looking for tourism, nightlife, shopping and delicious food–all within walking distance.
But location is not the only selling point of this hotel. Candeo Hotels Hiroshima embraces memorablepresentation. And it starts with the lobby. Located on the 13th floor (not the first floor like hotel lobbies in the United States) you are greeted with a panoramic view of the towering buildings as well as rolling hills that flank the city. There are plenty of couches in the lobby where you can sit and observe the city moving beneath you, and you are welcome to do so! The staff is very friendly, and I would like to mention that checking in is quick and easy; the employees were also patient as I fumbled my way through pleasantries in my broken Japanese, although they spoke excellent English.
I stayed in room 522. Small compared to hotels in America, but on the larger side compared to most hotels in Japan. Speaking of the larger side, my room had a king-size bed, which was a nice change of pace from the twin beds I had been sleeping in at previous hotels. Other furnishings included a sofa which wrapped around the window overlooking the street below. Smaller comforts included a small table, a mini fridge and a flat screen TVhanging from the wall.
I’d be remiss not to mention my bathroom, which wasremarkably clean, with amenities such as a heated mirror and heated floors.
Like most hotels in Japan, you are provided with a robe and slippers. However, I found that throughout all my hotel stays in Japan, Candeo Hotels Hiroshima had the most comfortable (and stylish) of the gowns, with most guests choosing to don the silken outfit to eat breakfast in the mornings.
Much like the lobby, the dining room adopts a panoramic view of the city. The breakfast options are numerous, although don’t expect to find any unique food here—that will come later. The buffet style service offers many options of food and drink to prepare you for a long day of touring the city.
But you don’t stay in a hotel for the food. Besides its location, Candeo Hotels Hiroshima’s biggest selling pointis the onsen on the top floor. For the uninitiated, an onsen is a public bath, a practice that is very popular in Japan. And the onsen here provides comfort beyond measure. As I sat in the boiling water staring into the sky basking in the blue glow of dusk’s fading light, I couldn’t help but smile. A rare peace in my life found in a city where peace would be the last word I would have used to describe it.
As previously mentioned, this hotel is located within walking distance of many of the popular attractions inHiroshima. The main one being the Atomic Bomb Dome Building and Peace Memorial Park, a stark reminder of the generational cost of nuclear destruction. Despite the grim atmosphere, the museum at Peace Memorial Park is an extraordinary experience. The museum does not shy away from violence with many graphic depictions of how many ways an atomic bomb can kill and maim. But when leaving the museum, you aren’t left feeling empty. You gain a perspective of hope for the future found in a city that was once obliterated, but restored, with a profound purpose to remind the world that even from ash you can rebuild.
Hiroshima is also famous for something far less known to the world: okonomiyaki, a grilled cabbage pancake popular in Japan. But what makes it unique here is how the dish is prepared. Nicknamed, “Hiroshima Style” the okonomiyaki is arranged layer by layer, with ingredients being stacked expertly on top of each other. First, is the batter serving as the base of the dish. Then the cabbage sprinkled over top. After that you get your choice of meat–and you can get real creative here, as my seat neighbor went with the squid. After the protein is added, noodles are blanketed overtop. And the pièce de resistance: an egg. The whole meal is grilled right in front of you too! One of the best places in town to try this dish is the restaurant located downstairs at Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, a short 15-minutewalk from Candeo Hotels Hiroshima. There are even vegan options here for those who do not eat meat.
There are many sites to see in Hiroshima. If history is what you are looking for, there are plenty of other places to visit, such as Hiroshima Castle, Miyajima Island and Shukkeien Garden. If you are looking for fun, I highly suggest seeing a baseball game. The city is home to the Hiroshima Carp. I was lucky enough to attend a game; tickets are hard to come by. I sat with the Carp fans and saw firsthand just how passionate they were for their team. Baseball is a whole culture inside the already unique culture of Japan. And it shows in the baseball stadium as nearly every single fan knew, and participated in, the catalog of songs and chants unique to the Carp. Not to mention the fans who brought trumpets and flags. It reminded me of a World Cup match!
With plenty of things to do, you will need a place to call home. And Candeo Hotels Hiroshima is a must stay, especially for the price. At $70 a night, it really is one of the few hotels in the world where you can experience top-of-the-line luxury for an affordable price.
