Kobe Merikenpark Oriental Hotel

“Brilliant hotel in an equally brilliant location”

This hotel is in the shape of an ocean going liner and is possibly the same size as some of the latest ships built. It is huge yet luxurious and overlooks the Kobe Harbour (which it would do as being situated in Harbourside). It is about a 10 minute walk to a couple of shopping centres/eating out… more

This hotel is in the shape of an ocean going liner and is possibly the same size as some of the latest ships built. It is huge yet luxurious and overlooks the Kobe Harbour (which it would do as being situated in Harbourside). It is about a 10 minute walk to a couple of shopping centres/eating outlets but there is a hotel bus running most of the day if you’d rather not walk. We were part of a group of 35 arriving at the same time but rooms had been allocated prior to arrival and “keys” prepared so the whole process was easy. Rooms were fantastic – clean and bright. The only comment we would make is that, in this age of conserving resources, the bath tub (with perfectly good shower over) should be removed and replaced with a walk-in shower. Some of the more mature in years people in our group may have found getting in and out of the tub a little tricky as it was quite high. Free wifi is available throughout the hotel with easy access. The provision of tea/coffee ingredients was a little sparse and there was no English Breakfast tea! Go prepared – we did – and with milk sticks! The whole building was spotless and the staff dressed immaculately. A significant number of staff spoke English to a greater or lesser degree but all were very helpful. Our group had dinner in this hotel which was of buffet style and very enjoyable. Breakfast was a buffet of a wide selection of Western and Japanese food although not all the hot food was more than warm (the pitfalls of catering for a large number of people). Once again, no English Breakfast tea and no cold milk by the coffee/hot water machines – find the cereals for that! Chop-sticks and knives/forks were available. Check out was simple with the staff at the desk rather than a machine we had encountered in other hotels during our stay! Would we return – if we went back to Kobe, it would be a serious contender. Our trip’s brochure said we would be staying in a mixture of 3 and 4 star hotels. This is certainly an hotel in the upper range of a 4 star hotel.

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“Good option to stay in Kobe (choose executive rooms)”

During our trip to Kobe in November, we stayed at the Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. The hotel's structure is old, and the floors are being renovated. It is a typical Japanese hotel catering mainly to Japanese clients. We had Executive Corner King North View - which was nicely and tastefully de… more

During our trip to Kobe in November, we stayed at the Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. The hotel's structure is old, and the floors are being renovated. It is a typical Japanese hotel catering mainly to Japanese clients. We had Executive Corner King North View - which was nicely and tastefully decorated with a Christmas tree inside. Great view from the balcony (which is a bit rare these days in Japan) If you stay in the Executive room or suite, you have access to the club lounge, which has free drinks and so on. The location is very nice, near Kobe Port Tower and the Ferris wheel; I like the area. We had dinner in the teppanyaki restaurant on the hotel's top floor. There is a great view of Kobe beef; however, the experience could have been better. The restaurant's design was dark, something we liked less. Better options for Kobe beef are available in Kobe City.

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“Nice Hotel, Bad Food”

We had a lovely room overlooking the harbour. Spacious though a little tired. The bathroom could use a reno. The big knock on this hotel is the breakfast. Worst we had in Japan. Not much better than a Holiday Inn Express or Courtyard Marriott.