Oriental Hotel Kobe Deluxe Harbor View

Among the hotels I’ve been keeping an eye on in Kobe, the Oriental Hotel Kobe stands out. There are three hotels with the same name in Kobe, but they belong to different groups. The Oriental Hotel chain, which can be found in various regions across Japan, includes the ship-shaped Oriental Hotel located in Meriken Park. Other locations of the Oriental Hotel chain include Tokyo, Hakata, Namba, Okinawa, and Kyoto. Another Oriental Hotel in Kobe is the Seishin Oriental Hotel, which appears to be a standalone hotel situated in the bustling western part of Kobe. Finally, there’s the Oriental Hotel Kobe, where I stayed this time. This historic hotel, which opened in 1870, boasts over 150 years of history and holds the title of Japan’s first hotel. I discovered this fascinating fact while researching the hotel. The hotel is part of the PDS Hotel Group chain, which also includes well-known properties such as With the Style and Luigans Spa Resort in Fukuoka, Kumamoto Castle Hotel, and the newly opened One Fukuoka Hotel last month. The group also operates Aoyama Grand Hotel in Tokyo. I usually spend hours researching basic information about hotels before booking a stay. The rooms are divided into Harbor View (facing Harborland) and City View (facing Mount Rokko), with Harbor View rooms costing approximately 4,000–5,000 yen more despite having the same size. Floors 8–13 are the Oriental Floors, while floors 14 and above are the Executive Floors. I booked an Oriental Floor Harbor View room and was assigned a room on the 11th floor. The reception is located on the highest floor, the 17th, where the restaurant is also situated. This is where I enjoyed night afternoon tea and breakfast. After checking in, I went to my room, unpacked, and relaxed. I didn’t leave the hotel since I had reserved the night afternoon tea at 9 PM, fully embracing the staycation mode. I enjoyed the stunning night view while savoring afternoon tea before returning to my room. I spent some time unwinding, which felt like the happiest moment. I soaked in a spacious bathtub designed for two, using the bath salts provided by the hotel. It was incredibly relaxing. After lounging on the bed, I fell asleep. I woke up around 6:30 AM to a cloudy morning view. Breakfast was included in my reservation, so I indulged in the 5,000-yen breakfast without hesitation. The system was convenient: you could order items like French toast, omelets, and coffee directly from your table, while the rest was served buffet-style. Alcoholic beverages were also available during breakfast. Draft beer was charged, but sparkling wine was complimentary, so I paired my breakfast with morning sparkling wine. The French toast here had a unique taste compared to Okura’s version. While Okura’s French toast is sponge-like and buttery, Oriental’s is chewy and pastry-like. Both are excellent in their own way, making it hard to choose a favorite. After enjoying the delicious breakfast, I checked out. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from Sannomiya Station. Interestingly, Marilyn Monroe stayed at this hotel during her honeymoon. The hotel is set to be renamed "The Orient" in February next year. Thank you.