What kind of luxury hotel is Hyatt Centric Kanazawa?
In late March, when the cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom, we took Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and arrived at Kanazawa Station in three hours. Then, after getting off the Shinkansen, we found the hotel where we would be staying for the night about a five-minute walk from West Exit of Kanazawa Station. The hotel opened in 2020, so it is a brand new building.
As we entered through the entrance, we saw a wall full of pine tree art in front of us. We stopped and gazed for a while at the golden pine tree, which was made by splicing and reusing tools and tableware used in the town of Kanazawa and lavishly decorated with gold leaf, a traditional craft.
Then we took the elevator up to the third floor, where the reception lobby is located, and there it was, just like an exhibition space in a contemporary art museum, with counters, benches, and art on the walls. The lighting design and the way the space was partitioned gave it a sense of solidity and spaciousness. The high ceilings and glass-covered display shelves are also wonderful. The walls are stunning with wooden lattices inspired by Kanazawa’s teahouse district and large gold leaf artwork using traditional Kanazawa crafts.
We checked in at the lacquered square counter. Near the reception desk was an ingenious table object consisting of a stack of lacquered soy sauce barrels topped with a clear glass panel.
After checking in, we boarded the elevator and found that the elevator was also decorated with color swatches of Kaga Yuzen polka-dot patterns as art. As we exited the elevator, the walls were very interesting, with artwork using the lacquer used in Wajima lacquer ware, glass bracket lighting at the entrance to the room, and Kutani ware plates with room numbers on them.
Upon entering the room, a bright blue bed board caught my eye. This is a panel that was actually molded from Japanese paper laid on a road surface in Kanazawa. The mold was made from a manhole cover on the road. Then the gold leaf pattern is the sole of a geta (Japanese wooden clogs) that a child wearing geta made when playing on the Japanese paper. It is a very unique piece of work. It is nothing short of amazing that a manhole on the road can be turned into art.
Then, our favorite place was the dining area next to the lobby. Light pours in through the large glass windows, and the high ceilings are lit by a series of large chandeliers with Japanese traditional Lantern motifs, creating a glamorous and dramatic ambiance. Further in, the vibrant vegetable artwork is very impressive. Behind this huge artwork, there was also a private room for groups.
Overall, the hotel was generally smaller than I had expected and rather casual, but it is a short walk from Kanazawa Station and in a reasonable price range. This is a great hotel for solo travelers, couples, small groups, and families.
If I were to mention a drawback, it would be the lack of a hot spring. It is not suitable for those who want to enjoy hot springs near Kanazawa Station. If you love hot springs, you may want to stay in Kaga Onsen-kyo or Wakura Onsen rather than around Kanazawa Station. Also, the view from the room is just average as it is in Kanazawa city. It is not suitable for those who expect a nice night view or a spectacular view. Then although it is a luxury hotel, it does not have a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, or spa treatment shop, etc. There is only a gym on the second floor.
Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
The location is a 5min walk from Kanazawa Station. It is located right outside West Exit of the station, so even if it rains, you almost don’t need an umbrella.
Then there is no dedicated parking lot, so please use a nearby paid parking lot.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries?
If you are looking for a good place for a special occasion, I would recommend it. The staff arranges flowers and cakes to celebrate an anniversary at additional charges if you request in advance.
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How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, bathrobes, pajamas, TWG tea bags, a coffee machine with capsules, etc. There were Bee Kind bath amenities in the bath room. You can request skincare products. There was a BOSE Bleetooth speaker. The free WiFi reception was excellent. YouTube and Netflix are viewed via Chromecast by synchronizing with applications on smartphones and PCs. It was a bit cumbersome to operate.
Room service is also available. A full menu is available. Refer to the menu.
Then this is child-friendly. Staff will provide children’s slippers, pajamas, toothbrushes, bath ropes, baby bathtubs, baby body shampoo, and cribs, etc. if you request in advance.
How about In-house Facilities?
There is a small gym on 2F. The walls of the gym had graphic art based on old maps of Kanazawa. Sportswear and shoes do not appear to be available for rent. If you are going to use the gym, you may want to bring your own. There are no swimming pools, Jacuzzi, saunas, or spa treatment shops in the hotel.
Then the property is a perfect universal design. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. There are some accessible rooms. If you bring people with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the lift.
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How about meals?
The dining area of the hotel on 3F is wonderful that I would recommend using it at least once during your stay. The Japanese and Western buffet breakfast is stylishly presented in a glass case in the center of the dining room, and the food is sure to whet your appetite.
Overall, the food looked sumptuous, but the dishes and ingredients lined up seemed standard. It gives the impression of an ordinary luxury hotel lineup. The buffet does not have a large variety of dishes, but there are many a la carte offerings. What is even more exciting is that you can order any number of dishes from this menu. I chose French toast for dessert, and the mango sauce and accompanying baked pineapple were exquisitely seasoned. Other choices include Two eggs served any style, Egg benedict selection, oriental selection, meat selection, sweets selection, etc. I think that JPY3300 for this breakfast, including buffet and a la carte, is a very reasonable price.
Breakfast was very crowded around 8:00 on a weekday, but was empty from around 9:00. It seemed that locals were also using the restaurant. Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:30.
Then there is a bar on the 14th floor. The concept is an open-air terrace bar that seems to float above the city of Kanazawa, but unfortunately, the view from here would be nothing special. The large windows do offer a panoramic view of Kanazawa Station and the buildings around the station, though. The bar is open between 17:00 and 22:00.
My impressions
Overall, the hotel has great value for money if compared to others in Kanazawa. The staff was sophisticated. I thought this hotel was not only the newest luxury hotel in Kanazawa, but also a place where one can experience Kanazawa’s traditional crafts, making one’s stay in Kanazawa even more memorable. I have never seen a hotel in Japan that is packed with this much art, so it is well worth the stay. I will definitely stay there again when I visit Kanazawa.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the property from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
Info about Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
| Style | Luxury Modern Hotel |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out | 15:00/12:00 |
| Estimated Price | 40,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-Mail | |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi in the hotel |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed No parking lot |
| Location | Hyatt Centric Kanazawa’s MAP |
| Access | 5min walk from West Exit of Kanazawa Station |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 76 256 1234 |
| Official Homepage | Hyatt Centric Kanazawa’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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