Nagasaki Marriott Hotel

The cruise ship-inspired exterior is a playful nod to the port below, while inside, ocean-hued marble and soft natural tones create a calmer mood. The all-day Harbella restaurant serves French-accented dishes with a local twist — think Nagasaki wagyu and seasonal fish — on a terrace overlooking the city. For something more intimate, The Azurite bar is a lovely spot for afternoon tea or evening cocktails as the lights come on across the water. There's also a well-equipped fitness centre, though you may find yourself choosing the views over the treadmill.

The rooms are a generous 36 square metres or more, with a clean, modern design that wisely lets the panorama do the talking. Two thirds have private balconies — a genuine treat for a city hotel — and the harbour-facing rooms look out toward the silhouette of Mount Inasa. The 28 suites step things up considerably, with separate living areas and wraparound views. At the top end, the Imperial Suite stretches to 242 square metres, making it one of Kyushu's largest. Rooms come with coffee machines, USB-C ports and supremely comfortable beds.

Wander the cobblestoned Dutch Slope to Glover Garden, an open-air museum of Western-style mansions with knockout harbour views, or explore Dejima, the tiny man-made island where Dutch traders were Japan's sole link to Europe for over 200 years. The Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum are essential and deeply moving. Take the ropeway up Mount Inasa for that famous night view, then come back down to Shinchi Chinatown for a steaming bowl of champon noodles. They were invented right here! For something more adventurous, hop on a boat to Hashima (Battleship Island), the eerie, abandoned UNESCO-listed mining colony just off the coast.