Trip Reports

a couple sitting at a table with food in front of a window
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Magic in Japan: Hotel Review – Sheraton Hiroshima

She didn’t have an answer but kept repeating that we were in a Club level King room and that the Suites were unavailable. I asked if they were all occupied and she said no, but wasn’t able to provide a satisfactory answer as to why I couldn’t stay in one unless paying for that specific room type.

a room with a television and a table
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Magic in Japan: Park Hyatt Tokyo Revisited

After Kyoto I couldn’t resist sneaking in a night at the famed Park Hyatt Tokyo before heading to Hiroshima. I’ve stayed there many times before as I figure many readers have, but it is a favorite of mine. The outstanding staff, suite and breakfast all blend together for a fantastic stay. To me it is one of the top aspirational chain properties in the world that is absolutely worth the stay, if even for one visit or night.

a table with food on it
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Room Service Review: Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

After a quick nap that turned into a longer slumber, I called down to order some Tempura and Udon noodles for dinner. There was no separate button on the phone for room service, so I just called the operator who transferred me. Unfortunately, the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto’s highly-rated Mizun restaurant had closed at 9:30pm and it was 9:45. Drat, I had just missed it.

a stone pagoda in a garden
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Magic in Japan: Day 2 in Kyoto

A coffee shop is not always just a coffee shop in Japan. There’s Moomin cafe, where solo diners can sip a beverage seated next to a huge life-sized stuffed animal so they don’t feel lonely (either the stuffed animal or the patron). Then there are the super popular animal cafes. You pay a small cover charge, and once inside you can pet and play with the animals to your heart’s content.

a deck with chairs and a table overlooking the water
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Magic on NCL Jade Cruise: Review of Penthouse Suite 10166

We were excited to see our room, and it was finally time! Norwegian Jade’s Penthouse Suite 10166 is also known as a Romance Suite, since it used to be sold as a room for 2, with a maximum of 3 guests instead of 4. It is located on Deck 10, in the very back of the ship (aft). This turned out to be a fantastic location and I’m now an absolute fan of these staterooms. True, pretty much all of the restaurants and activities were forward, but that just meant a bit more exercise which balanced out with all the extra desserts and goodies onboard.