Hilton Hiroshima

The public spaces strike that particularly Japanese balance between international grandeur and local sensibility. FLOW Lounge anchors the lobby with its all-day energy – morning pastries morph into afternoon cakes and evening tapas. Up on the sixth floor, MOZAIK spreads its ambitious buffet beneath soaring ceilings, while SENSUI next door whispers sophistication with its Michelin two-starred chef overseeing pristine sushi and kaiseki. The real surprise lurks in the basement though – a proper lap pool (not a plunge pool pretending to be one), flanked by a L'Occitane spa that feels genuinely indulgent rather than tacked on. Even the 22nd-floor executive lounge manages to avoid stuffiness, though you'll need to book evening slots during busy periods.

Rooms start at 28 square metres for entry-level kings – positively palatial by Japanese standards – with the Premium rooms stretching to 35. The design pays subtle homage to the region with blue accents nodding to the Seto Inland Sea and maple leaf motifs, though it's the practical touches that impress most. Proper desks (not those circular coffee tables masquerading as workspaces), bottles of refillable water, and bathrooms with both soaking tubs and separate showers. Higher floors reward with bay views and glimpses of distant mountains. The executive rooms on upper floors add lounge access but honestly, the standard rooms are generous enough that upgrading feels unnecessary unless you're wedded to free evening canapés.

While the hotel itself could keep you busy – that pool deserves proper laps, the spa offers hot stone treatments, and there's a 24-hour gym – Hiroshima's emotional geography lies just outside. The Peace Memorial Park and Museum sit 15 minutes' walk away (prepare yourself emotionally), while the covered Hondori shopping arcade buzzes five minutes from the front door. Miyajima Island with its famous floating torii makes an easy day trip, either via the ferry from Peace Park or the more conventional train-and-ferry combo. The hotel can arrange everything from bicycle rentals for pottering around town to tickets for the Hiroshima Carp baseball team. There's even a model train set in the lobby that occasionally appears – apparently it's quite the thing with Japanese railway enthusiasts.