IHG Hotels & Resorts operates 19 hotel brands with more than 6,400 hotels in over 100 countries. In Japan, IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates approximately 47 hotels under seven brands from Hokkaido to Okinawa (as of June 30, 2024). For this interview, we asked Megumi Hara, general manager of the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe, about the charms of the hotel’s surroundings.
Name: ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe
Location: 1 Kitano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe
–How did you come to work at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe?
My career began at the Sheraton Hobart Hotel in Australia. I then worked at Hilton Tokyo and Micros-Fidelio Japan before joining IHG-ANA Hotels Group Japan in 2007, where I served as General Manager of IT and gained experience as Assistant General Manager at ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo and ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe, and then as General Manager at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Fukuoka, where he was appointed general manager. He then served as Area General Manager at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Hiroshima and was involved in the opening of Hotel Indigo Karuizawa in 2022.
–What kind of hotel is it?
Located at the foot of Mt. Rokko, the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe is widely known as a landmark of Kobe. The hotel is directly connected to Shin-Kobe Station on the JR Sanyo Shinkansen and Kobe Municipal Subway lines, providing convenient access for guests arriving by Shinkansen and those arriving from Kobe Airport via Sannomiya. The hotel boasts an excellent location as a base for business and sightseeing, with convenient access for guests coming by Shinkansen and those arriving from Kobe Airport via Sannomiya.
–What is the unique experience of the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe?
The ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe is a 37-floor high-rise hotel and is known as a landmark hotel in Kobe. Not only is it conveniently located, but it also offers a full range of facilities for banquets and weddings, including a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 2,500 people for a standing buffet party. As the highest-rise hotel in Kobe City, it is also known as a spot to enjoy the beautiful night view of Kobe.
–please let me know if you have any personal favorites tourist spots or restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel.
For nature lovers, a morning stroll through the Nunobiki area and Nunobiki Falls is recommended. The rich natural environment around the hotel will provide you with a relaxing time. Also easily accessible from the hotel lobby, the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden offers a collection of beautiful seasonal flowers and herbs. The Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden can be reached by a ropeway, which also offers beautiful views of Kobe Port and the city.
–What restaurant menu do you recommend?
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe offers a wide range of restaurants from international to Japanese cuisine. When visiting Kobe, be sure to enjoy Kobe beef at Teppanyaki Kitano. You will be able to enjoy the best Kobe beef along with fresh ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture while watching the chef perform right in front of you.
We also recommend “Level 36 Italian Restaurant & Bar” on the upper floors. Especially at night, you can enjoy your meal while viewing the beautiful night view of Kobe. The chef offers creative dishes and course menus that make the most of local ingredients, and a visit during dinner time will be even more special.
–What souvenirs do you recommend?
Lobby Shop Bene” on the 4th floor offers a wide range of souvenirs, accessories, and miscellaneous goods from Kobe. For souvenirs of Kobe, we recommend the “Sannomiya Kantanro” steamed meat buns. The fluffy skin is filled with juicy filling and is very popular among locals and tourists alike. Also, be sure to try the “Freundlieb,” which carries on the German tradition. Crispy cookies and butter-filled pies are both elegant and highly appreciated souvenirs. The store, which is housed in a renovated church, is also very nice, so just stopping by is enjoyable.
And when it comes to Kobe, “Kobe Pudding” is the best. With its smooth, creamy texture and elegant packaging, we think this is another perfect souvenir for your family and friends.
© Source travel watch
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