What kind of hotel is Sheraton Kagoshima?
I visited Kagoshima on a business trip in early summer when the skies were crisp and clear, so I decided to stay at this hotel, which just opened in May 2023. To get straight to the point, I was very impressed with the view of the mighty Sakurajima that could be seen from the hotel. I am sure that guests staying here, including myself, would be surprised to see it so close up. Just looking at the magnificent nature of Sakurajima refreshed my body and soul.
I flew from Haneda Airport to Kagoshima Airport around noon and then took an airport shuttle bus to Kagoshima Chuo Station. The trip took about 40 minutes. Then I took a black-body free shuttle bus with the words “Sheraton Kagoshima” written on it from the number 3 bus stop of Nangoku Kotsu Bus Terminal to the hotel. Please note that the free shuttle service departs from Nankoku Kotsu Bus Terminal.
A 10 minute ride on the shuttle bus brought me to the hotel. Shuttle service was available every 30 minutes from 8:30 to 21:30. The day I visited was a Sunday, and the hotel, including the shuttle bus, was crowded. The exterior of the hotel, with its blue glass walls, was modern and sophisticated, quite different from the older buildings around it. At the entrance, American and Japanese flags were waving in the wind.
I entered the building to find two reception counters representing the geological formations of Sakurajima and a lobby to my left called the Public Square.
The cafe was located at the back of the lobby, with a live kitchen and counter seating as soon as you entered, and tables at the back were equipped with outlets and USB ports, making it easy to work on PCs, etc. I was happy to see this. I saw a few business travelers like myself working in the cafe here and there. At this time, the chef was baking crepes in the live kitchen and the sweet aroma was wafting through the air.
After checking in at the reception counter, a staff member escorted me to my room. This time I stayed in a room with access to the Sheraton Lounge on the 18th floor, where you can also check in and check out.
When I opened the wooden door, there was a bathroom on the left, a closet on the right, and a king-size bed a little further on, with a daybed sofa, chair, and table by the window. Also, the king type room I stayed in, which overlooked Sakurajima, had only a shower, but the twin type had a bathtub. The interior is soft, with a light wood-grain tone reminiscent of Kagoshima’s natural surroundings. On the bedboard, there was a picture of the beautiful mountains of Kagoshima, one for each room, by the designer.
Then from the window of my room, I had a wonderful view of Sakurajima and the city of Kagoshima. I was lucky enough to have clear skies on the day I stayed here, and the view of Sakurajima was more impressive than it appears on the HP. I spent some time sipping the Kagoshima green tea provided in my room and enjoying the crisp blue sky and the spectacular view of Sakurajima. I never got tired of watching the volcanic activity of Sakurajima, which was emitting a cloud of gray smoke. Sakurajima erupts almost every day. There are two types of rooms: Sakurajima view and city view, but if you are staying at this hotel, the Sakurajima view room would be the best.
After this, I decided to go to communal onsens on the 5th floor. As I entered, I could smell the scent of sulfur. The communal onsens had indoor baths, outdoor baths, saunas, and cold water baths. The quality of the spring water was wonderful. Unfortunately, the structure of the communal bathhouse did not allow for a view of Sakurajima. Then at the entrance of the communal bathhouse was a lounge with a footbath. There were also deck chairs, and I loved the relaxing ambience while listening to the sound of the flowing hot spring water. The gym is open 24 hours a day, and no clothes or shoes are available for rent, so you will need to bring your own.
After this, I decided to visit the Club Lounge on the 18th floor. Like my room, the interior here had a calming wood-grain tone, and blue was used to represent Kinko Bay, which stretches out in front of Sakurajima. There were also power outlets near the tables, making it a perfect environment for using computers. The view from the club lounge also offered a panoramic view of Sakurajima and Kagoshima city. The beautiful blue sky, the mystical clouds floating in the sky, and the grandeur of Sakurajima made me swoon.
The Club Lounge served basically only soft drinks, Pepsi Cola, coffee, and tea, except during breakfast and evening cocktail time. Alcoholic beverages were served only during the cocktail time.
During the cocktail time, there was a lineup of dishes such as cold shabu shabu salad with Kagoshima black pork and vegetables, roast beef, bonito sashimi, caprese with Kagoshima mozzarella cheese, braised beef cheeks in red wine, penne gratin, daikon rice cake, strawberry cookies, strawberry bavarois, and more. Alcohol was available in the form of Asahi beer, AYRUM wines and supercringes, liqueurs, and Kagoshima shochu. The shochu was a specialty of Kagoshima Prefecture, and there was a wide selection of shochu, but the beer and wine lineup was sad with only one selection. The drinks are served from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., so it is a good place for a drink lover like me. My plan was to have dinner at the restaurant on the 4th floor, but the meal served during the cocktail time filled me up. The club lounge is not accessible to those under 12 years old after 5pm descent.
The next morning, I woke up around 6:30 a.m., made a cup of drip coffee that I had prepared in my room, and sat down on the daybed by the window to view the spectacular Sakurajima. The dynamic and majestic Sakurajima, shining in the morning sun, was different and more fascinating than during the daytime.
After this, I headed to the restaurant on the 4th floor for breakfast around 7:00 a.m., but it was a bit crowded, so I decided to have breakfast at the Club Lounge on the 18th floor. The breakfast was a Japanese-Western buffet, not a large variety, but fresh ingredients from Kagoshima were used. There was macaroni salad made with local vegetables, prosciutto, dried fruit, cheese, smoked salmon, sausage, bacon, curry, French toast, eggs Benedict, corn soup, local miso soup, fried fish cake called satsuma-age, simmered vegetables, croissants, muffins, and white bread. In addition, upon request, the chef will prepare freshly made omelettes, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, and other egg dishes.
After breakfast, I checked out of the hotel before 8:00 am to left for work. Since I visited this hotel on a business trip, the time passed in a hurry, but considering the price range, it was a great hotel with excellent value for money. Finally, remember to check the weather forecast in advance when booking this hotel.
Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
TOP3 Best Hotels and Ryokans in Kagoshima, Kyushu
Is the location easy to access?
From Kagoshima Airport, take an airport shuttle bus to Kagoshima Chuo Station, about 40 minutes. From the station, walk to Nangoku Kotsu Bus Terminal and board a free shuttle bus from the number 3 bus stop. It takes about 10 minutes to the hotel. The free shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes between 8:30 and 21:30. On weekends, it tends to be crowded.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All amenities are well taken care of, including ample toiletries, bathrobes, drip coffee bags, green tea bags, and more. There were gilchrist & soames bath amenities and KOSE skincare products in the bathroom. Room service is also available. Free WiFi signal was good. There is a convenience store nearby.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are communal onsens, saunas, a footbath onsen on 5F. The spring quality was great. They are open between 6:00-12:00, 15:00-24:00.
If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas.
There is a gym for 24H. You need to bring your sportswear and shoes.
There is a spa treatment shop on 5F. It is open from 14:00-22:00.
Then the hotel is a universal design. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring someone with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they help you.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the hotel from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the hotel on Agoda
Info about Sheraton Kagoshima
| Style | City Hotel |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/12:00 |
| Estimated Price | 30,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact |
Tel +81 99 821 1111 |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi in the hotel |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The parking lot is available for JPY1,500 |
| Location | Sheraton Kagoshima’s MAP |
| Access | Refer to the above |
| Address and TEL | 43-15 Koraicho, Kagoshima, JAPAN, 890-0051 Tel +81 99 821 1111 |
| Official Homepage | Sheraton Kagoshima’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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