Hyatt Centric Kanazawa

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise from guests, establishing itself as a top choice for travelers visiting Kanazawa, Japan. The hotel is lauded for its superb location, modern design, impeccable service, and comfortable accommodations.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Hyatt Centric Kanazawa is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "wonderful" and giving it high scores across various platforms (e.g., 9.1 overall, 9.4 for location, 9.5 for cleanliness, 9.6 for comfort, and 9.2 for staff). Many consider it an excellent hotel that exceeds expectations, with some even comparing its luxurious feel to a Park Hyatt rather than a typical Centric.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features:

• Location: Its unbeatable proximity directly next to Kanazawa Station is a major draw, offering convenient access to transport, shopping, and dining.
• Design & Cleanliness: The hotel boasts a beautiful, modern, and clean design, with thoughtful touches throughout that celebrate Kanazawa's craft and culture.
• Service & Staff: The friendly, professional, and helpful staff are frequently commended for their exceptional hospitality.
• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet at FIVE - Grill & Lounge receives high ratings for its excellent quality and diverse selection.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Hyatt Centric Kanazawa are described as bright, modern, and notably spacious for Japanese standards, often exceeding 300 sqft for a standard King room. They are a new construction from 2020, ensuring a fresh and contemporary feel.

• Comfort: Guests report extremely comfortable king-size beds with luxurious bedding, ensuring tranquil nights. Rooms are also noted for being very quiet.
• Design & Amenities: The design is often called "flawless" with attractive decor and thoughtful touches. Standard amenities include a Nespresso machine, a pull-out drawer fridge, complimentary bottled water replenished daily, and Japanese-style toilets with automatic flush and bidet functions. Shower pressure is good, though guests should be mindful that pipes can get very hot. Rooms also typically include Japanese-style pajamas and ample storage space with a long bench for luggage. Bathtubs are decently sized for a relaxing soak.

4. Dining Experience

The primary dining venue, FIVE - Grill & Lounge, receives excellent feedback, particularly for its breakfast buffet.

• Breakfast: The buffet is highly rated (guest review score: 9) and offers a diverse selection of both Western (smoked salmon, pastries, eggs) and Japanese fare (curry, tempura, natto, miso soup). Guests can enjoy custom Japanese omelets and a DIY French toast/Japanese pancake station. The quality is consistently described as excellent.
• Other Options: The hotel also features a nice rooftop bar, offering great views of the city. Lounge and dinner options are considered exceptionally good.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Hyatt Centric Kanazawa are consistently praised for their professionalism, friendliness, and helpfulness, often exceeding expectations for Japanese hospitality.

• Hospitality: Staff members are described as welcoming, attentive, and always available to support guests. Many staff members speak excellent English, making communication smooth for international travelers.
• Concierge Services: Concierge services are highly regarded as extremely helpful, providing assistance with local information and transportation. Housekeeping is also noted for being impeccable and proactive.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is considered one of its strongest assets.

• Kanazawa Station: It's situated directly next to Kanazawa Station (west side), making it incredibly convenient for arrivals and departures via the Hokuriku Shinkansen and local buses.
• Neighborhood & Attractions: The station area itself is beautiful and includes many shops and restaurants, and the hotel is connected to Cross Gate, a food court/mall area. Many nearby sights are walkable, and the loop bus from the station provides easy access to attractions further afield. Convenience stores (7-11, 100Mart) are also readily available within the station. Kanazawa does not have a subway/metro system, so buses are the main mode of public transport.
• Other Amenities: Guests can utilize the laundry facilities at the adjacent Hyatt House.

7. Value & Pricing

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa is often seen as providing excellent value for its quality and offerings.

• Price Range: While prices can vary, cash prices are considered very reasonable, with some guests reporting rates around $130/night including fees. It's a Category 3 property for Hyatt points, making points redemption an option, although cash prices are often so competitive that some guests don't recommend using points.
• Comparison to Hyatt House: While the nearby Hyatt House might be marginally cheaper, the Centric is favored for its full-service, upscale experience.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, a few minor recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Lobby Access: Access to the lobby can occasionally be confusing or difficult at times, with the check-in area on the 2nd floor and the counter being small and easy to miss for first-time visitors.
• Breakfast Lines: During peak times, especially on weekends or during busy seasons like March to May, breakfast lines can occasionally get long, with the restaurant reaching capacity shortly after opening.
• View from Room: A minor point, but some guests have found the view from their hotel window to be "uninteresting" rather than bad.
• Rooftop Lounge Closure (Historical): An older review from 2021 mentioned the rooftop lounge was closed due to COVID-19, but this is likely no longer a current issue.

Sources

1. booking.com
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4. hyatt.com
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8. youtube.com
9. journeyrambler.com