Nagasaki is one of those Japanese cities that catches you off guard. Centuries of Portuguese, Dutch and Chinese influence have left their mark on everything from the churches to the noodles, and the whole place has a cosmopolitan energy that feels unlike anywhere else in Japan. Perched in the Minamiyamate district at the base of the famous Glover Garden hill, the Crowne Plaza makes its case almost entirely on location. It's a reliable IHG property — clean, well-staffed and recently spruced up — and while it won't win any design awards, having Nagasaki's two UNESCO World Heritage sites and the Gunkanjima tour boats practically on your doorstep is hard to beat.
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The lobby has a classical, slightly retro feel with lots of polished marble and a sweeping staircase that nods to a grander era. There's a bar on the ground floor for an evening cocktail and Restaurant Pavé upstairs, where the breakfast buffet mixes Japanese and Western options (including Nagasaki's beloved champon noodles and a rather clever plant-based version). It's casual and functional rather than atmospheric, but the seasonal course menus and afternoon 'Sweets Box' of 15 miniature desserts are a nice touch. A small guest-only gym rounds things off.
Rooms are furnished in a classical style with warm woods, seating areas and all the expected mod-cons — air conditioning, flat-screen TV and Wi-Fi. They're a decent size by Japanese standards and some come with small balconies (a rarity in Japan). Higher-floor rooms have been recently renovated and feel noticeably fresher, with premium bedding and a pillow menu, too. Bathrooms are compact but spotlessly clean and those on the Glover Garden side enjoy glimpses of the hillside greenery.
Nagasaki is a city built for walking and wandering. Glover Garden, Japan's oldest Western-style residence and a UNESCO site, is quite literally up the hill, while the Gothic spire of Oura Church is a two-minute stroll. Hop on the tram to the fascinating reconstructed Dutch trading post at Dejima, or head to Nagasaki's compact Chinatown for steaming kakuni-manju pork buns. The haunting, UNESCO-listed Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) is accessible by boat tour from the nearby port, and no visit is complete without riding the ropeway up Mount Inasa for that famous nighttime view.
The location is the star here. Step out the front door and you're at the foot of Glover Garden, with Oura Church around the corner and the tram stop a minute's walk away.
The hotel runs a free evening shuttle to the Nagasaki Ropeway to enjoy the Mount Inasa night view, which is ranked among the top three in Japan. Grab a spot as seats fill up fast.
This is a chain hotel through and through. It's comfortable and well-run, but don't expect boutique flair. Views vary too, so it's worth requesting a room facing the Glover Garden side.
Once Japan’s only connection to the world, Nagasaki is a flourishing city by the sea where the ancient is woven into every aspect of life.
