Hiroshima Luxury: Uncover the Hidden Gem Hotel Rich!
Hiroshima Luxury: Rich Hotel - A Truth Bomb of a Review (Warning: May Contain Gushing & Gripes)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I'm back from a trip to Hiroshima, and just when I thought I knew luxury hotels, I checked into the Hiroshima Luxury: Rich Hotel. The name is… well, it’s certainly something. Let’s just say, they’re not shy about their aspirations. This isn't your generic cookie-cutter experience, and my stay was, to put it mildly, memorable. Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, because this place elicited some SERIOUS feelings.
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The Accessibility Shuffle (and a Slightly Awkward Start)
First things first: Accessibility. This is a biggie for me. The website claimed good accessibility, and in some ways, they delivered. Wheelchair accessible rooms were available, and the elevator was a godsend. The staff (bless their hearts) were genuinely helpful. They really tried. But… there were a few stumbles. The ramps weren't always perfectly smooth (hello, rogue pebble!), and the designated accessible routes sometimes felt a little circuitous. It wasn't a deal-breaker, but it wasn't the seamless experience I'd hoped for. The facilities for disabled guests are listed, but perhaps a little more signage to highlight the accessible elements would be helpful. The CCTV in common areas did give me some sense of security.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: The main restaurant seemed pretty accessible, with enough space to maneuver. I didn't get a chance to check out any smaller lounges, sadly.
Internet - A Mixed Bag (Like Life Itself!)
Let's talk internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! Bless! I needed to catch up on some emails and, you know, obsessively check Instagram. The Internet access – wireless (and Internet access – LAN for the old-schoolers, I guess) were mostly reliable. Mostly. There were a few moments of buffering during peak times, which, let's be honest, is par for the course these days. The Internet services themselves are quite good – you can access useful data on the hotel's internal setup.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Where Things Got REALLY Good)
Okay, this is where the Rich Hotel really started to flex its muscles. This is what you came for, people.
- Spa/Sauna: The spa. Oh, the spa. I swear, I think I aged in reverse during my time there. The sauna was the perfect detox after a day of sightseeing. And the steamroom? Bliss. Utter bliss. I spent a frankly embarrassing amount of time in that steamroom.
- Massage: I indulged in a massage. Let’s just say it was a transcendent experience. The masseuse, a tiny woman with hands of steel, managed to knead all the stress right out of my weary muscles. Seriously, she could probably wrestle a bear.
- Pool with view & Swimming pool: The swimming pool [outdoor] was gorgeous, especially at sunset. The Pool with a View was stunning, and the views of the Hiroshima skyline were phenomenal. The pool let me relax and enjoy myself.
- Fitness center: Though not the best, the gym/fitness was quite well-equipped. The gym was pretty good, and I appreciated the commitment to wellness.
- Body wrap & Body scrub: Didn't try these, but they're on the menu!
CLEANLINESS AND SAFETY – The COVID Factor (and the Overkill?)
Look, we're living in… interesting times. The Rich Hotel took hygiene VERY seriously. Like, borderline paranoid seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Check.
- Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. You could practically swim in it. I’m not complaining, but it did feel a bit excessive at times. You were constantly being reminded of the germ apocalypse, even walking in the hallways.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Check.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Check.
- Safe dining setup: Check. The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items was nice to see.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: A very nice option but I did not use it as the hotel was very busy.
- First aid kit & Doctor/nurse on call: Check and check.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter Check, by law.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing Good.
The Hygiene certification gave me a sense of security. They even have the option to opt-out of room sanitization. It sometimes felt like the hotel was bracing for an alien invasion!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Bland to Brilliant! (and a Plea for More Soba)
Okay, the food. This is where things got… interesting.
- Restaurants: They had a lot of restaurant options.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The Breakfast (buffet) was a mixed bag. The Asian breakfast was excellent, a delicious spread, but the Western breakfast… well, let's just say it leaned towards the bland side. The Buffet in the restaurant was extensive, with the usual suspects (eggs, bacon, pastries – all perfectly fine, but nothing to write home about). The A la carte in restaurant was available for a few of the rarer dishes.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Excellent, as I said.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Good, very good.
- Coffee shop The coffee shop served some fantastic beverages.
- Happy hour: A must-have. Drink specials were a great way to end the day.
- International cuisine in restaurant: A wide variety of options was on offer.
- Poolside bar: The Poolside bar – perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail or a post-spa smoothie.
- Room service 24-hour [24-hour]. I’m a sucker for room service. I ordered a burger one night at 3 AM, and it was surprisingly decent.
- Snack bar: The Snack bar was good for a quick bite.
- Vegetarian restaurant: One of the restaurants was specifically vegetarian.
Room Service Anecdote: I did once accidentally order a dish I was wildly allergic to (Alternative meal arrangement was available, but I was too busy gorging myself to notice). Thankfully, the staff were incredibly understanding, got me sorted, and I survived. They were incredibly efficient and helpful, they gave me a sense of relief.
Drinks & Snacks (the Good Stuff)
The Bar was superb, with a great ambiance. They serve some fantastic cocktails. The Desserts in restaurant were great. They also provided a cute bottle of water every day. And, important to note, the restaurant had Salad in restaurant: I was able to get my greens!
The One Thing That REALLY Bugged Me – The Lack of… Soba
I went to Hiroshima. I wanted to eat soba. And while they offered plenty of other cuisines (Western, International, etc.), I found a noticeable absence of real, authentic soba on the menu. It was a culinary tragedy. I had to venture outside the hotel to get my noodle fix! (Okay, maybe I’m being dramatic, but still.)
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: Thank heavens.
- Business facilities were available but I didn't go in.
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator all great.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Slightly overpriced but hey, that’s hotel life!
- Luggage storage: Convenient.
- Taxi service: Always available
- Valet parking,: good.
- Smoking area: Was helpful.
- Terrace: Beautiful place to relax.
The Mini Bar Incident (and the Perks of a Rich Hotel)
The mini bar… well, let’s just say I may have accidentally consumed a small fortune in miniature bottles of something expensive. It was a well-stocked mini bar, I’ll grant you that. But the best part? The Free bottled water. Always appreciated.
Facilities for disabled guests – the hotel has a genuine commitment to helping disabled guests.
- Additional toilet – good (I didn't use it).
- Bathroom phone – a nice touch!
- Bathtub & Bathrobes
- **Desk, Extra long bed, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities,
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-planned itinerary. We're diving headfirst into Hiroshima, and trust me, it's going to be a ride. We're staying at the Hotel Rich, which, let's be honest, could mean anything. Fingers crossed it's not too rich. Here we go, a week of supposed "fun" – and probably a healthy dose of existential dread thrown in for good measure:
Day 1: Arrival & the Sweet Taste of… Airport?
- Morning (or What Passes for it after a Red-Eye): Land in Hiroshima. Pray to whatever deity is listening that my luggage actually made it. Last time I flew, my suitcase ended up in… well, let's just say it wasn't Hiroshima and leave it at that. Airport customs. Ugh. Always a test of patience. I swear, the guy looked at my backpack like I was smuggling… I don't know… a rogue pineapple?
- Midday: The hotel. Finding it. Praying for an okay view. (Hoping for a peek-a-boo with the sea. Or at least a nice building.) Let's see how this "Rich" thing holds up. Lobby? Is there a lobby? I'm already sweating. Check-in. Deep breaths. Smile. Lie about how "great" the flight was. Get the key. The elevator. Please, no screaming children.
- Afternoon: Unpack. Collapse on the bed. Assess the situation. Is the room clean? Does the air conditioner work? Do I need a nap, or three? I’m craving sweets because I have to get out of that god awful airport feeling. If I'm not satisfied with my snacks, I'm going to throw a fit. I'm really craving a bakery. Maybe a mochi?
Day 2: The Bomb & The Blossoms
- Morning: Okay, deep breaths. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. This is… tough. I'm not going to lie. Reading the stories, walking through the museum… it's a gut punch. I cried. Not even a tiny bit. A lot. I think it's important, though. Facing it, feeling it… it's what you have to do.
- Midday: Lunch. I need ramen. Or… anything. Somewhere with comfort food. I just need to… not think for a bit. My brain is still processing the museum.
- Afternoon: Ok, so after the ramen, I'm feeling better… I’m going to take a deep breath and explore the Shukkei-en Garden. Supposedly, it's beautiful. We'll see! I'm expecting stunning beauty to hit me in the face. If it doesn't, honestly? I might just be cynical and go buy sweets.
- Evening: Dinner and a stroll. Maybe find some local street food. Try the okonomiyaki. I’ve never had it, but I've heard it's a must-try, that's what I heard.
Day 3: Miyajima - Torii Gates and… Deer?
- Morning: Ferry to Miyajima Island. The Itsukushima Shrine and the iconic floating torii gate. Photos will be taken. Lots of photos. It's practically illegal not to take photos. I'm expecting a good, scenic view, and a moment of calm.
- Midday: Deer! Apparently, they wander around. I'm pretty sure I'll get mobbed by them. Feed the deer! (I have heard they are crazy about food and can get aggressive.)
- Afternoon: Exploring the island. Hiking up Mount Misen (maybe). Oh, god, hiking. I'm not built for hiking. Maybe just a little bit of it? If I'm feeling good, I'm going to go all the way up, if I'm not feeling good, I'm going to be taking a nap on a bench, in a cafe.
- Evening: Back to Hiroshima. More okonomiyaki? Or something completely different? I don't know yet. The day will tell. My stomach will tell.
Day 4: The "Aha!" Moment
- Morning: Okay, this is going to be my day of "doing." I'm going to actually plan something. Maybe a day trip to Kure because of the Yamato Museum, and learn about war history, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be emotional all day.
- Midday: The Yamato Museum. Then, to the JMSDF Kure Museum (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force). So. Much. History. So. Much. Feelings. This is going to be a day of heavy thinking.
- Afternoon: I'm going to go to somewhere scenic, like the Ondo-no-Seto. Hopefully, the fresh air and calming views will soothe my soul. Maybe some journaling will help me process everything.
- Evening: Dinner. I'm getting myself a nice dinner today. Whatever my soul wants. Maybe sushi, which I always enjoy.
Day 5: Local Life and Sweet Surprises
- Morning: Today is what I like to call a "let's get lost" day. I am going to wander the streets of Hiroshima. See what's there. Maybe find a cool vintage shop. Buy something useless.
- Midday: Okay, so maybe I already bought some useless things. Hopefully, I'll find something really cool. Maybe I'll stumble upon a hidden gem cafe or a local festival. Fingers crossed.
- Afternoon: I'm going to go to the Hiroshima Castle. I'll pretend I'm some sort of historical figure. Maybe I will start a diary.
- Evening: Dinner. More food exploring. Maybe I will find a restaurant to go back to. This city has so many choices.
Day 6: Going Back For More
- Morning: Ugh. Last full day. This is when the sadness of leaving starts to creep in. Gotta make the most of it. Maybe revisit my favorite spots? The Peace Memorial Park and Museum seem to have a special place in my heart.
- Midday: More food hunting, I will try to find the perfect place to have my last meal in this city. Maybe I'll find a hidden gem.
- Afternoon: Souvenir shopping. This is the most stressful. Finding the perfect gifts. For everyone. Trying not to overspend. Making sure I get something for myself too.
- Evening: One last okonomiyaki? One last, long walk through the city. Just soaking it all in. Trying to remember all the good things.
Day 7: Departure & Existential Baggage
- Morning: Pack. Sigh. Check out. The dreaded "Goodbye Hiroshima." I really can't believe my trip went as fast.
- Midday: Airport. Security. More waiting. More people. More stress.
- Afternoon: Plane. The end. Going back to my life. The memories. The feelings. The things I have learned.
Alright, that's it. As you can see, it's a vague, messy, and probably hilariously inaccurate plan. But that's the fun of it, isn't it? Because honestly, the best travel stories are the ones you didn't plan. And who knows? Maybe I'll discover something amazing I didn't even know existed. Or maybe I'll just eat a lot of interesting food and cry a lot. Either way, it'll be an adventure. Stay tuned.
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