From the outside, you would be forgiven for thinking the Sheraton was part of the Hiroshima Station building. Seamlessly integrated into the station complex with the covered walkway, the Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel is the ideal location for any discerning visitor who values comfort, luxury and convenience.

To experience the full gamut of Sheraton hospitality, book into the suite rooms on floors 20 and 21. Aside from the exceptional views from the rooms of the city and the baseball stadium, the 20th floor houses the club lounge – a fully-stocked salon and casual dining area for the exclusive use of guests staying in the club floor rooms. Drinks are free and they provide a light buffet for breakfast and teatime.

The global Sheraton brand prides itself on providing a superior level of quality wherever you stay. The Sheraton Grand Hiroshima is no different. Staff are courteous, quick and efficient. The rooms are fully equipped with every amenity to make your stay as luxurious as possible.

On 8th floor, you’ll find the Sheraton Shine Spa. In this clean and refreshing spa open to hotel guests, you can book onto facial and body treatments to melt away any aches and pains from your travels around Japan.

On the same 8th floor, the Sheraton Grand provides a set of fitness facilities, including a gym, a pool and a jacuzzi. No need to worry if you forgot to pack your swimwear – the hotel offers rentals. The pool and jacuzzi are free for guests staying in the Club floor and cost ¥1,620 for other guests.

As well as visitors to Hiroshima, the Sheraton Grand Hiroshima is a popular location among Hiroshima residents. Whether it is dining in the restaurants, conducting meetings in the cafe, or holding wedding celebrations in the dedicated chapel, the Sheraton has become a feature of life in Hiroshima.

The decor inside enhances the connection between the hotel and the region. Many of the design features and patterns, the light fittings and artworks are directly inspired by the landscapes and nature of the Seto Inland Sea. Take the glass fittings suspended over the lobby waiting area – the glass bubbles signify the effervescence of the waves, while the patterns on the carpet symbolize ripples.

With such easy access to the station and only a short taxi or streetcar ride to downtown Hiroshima, you are spoilt for choice with dining options. But even if you prefer a quiet night in, the Sheraton Grand Hiroshima provides you with some of the highest quality dining in the city.

In the Miyabi-Tei on the 7th floor, you can experience a wide variety of Japanese cooking with menus ranging from Japanese kaiseki course meals, to teppanyaki grilled dishes, to freshly prepared sushi. Needless to say, the chefs only use the finest ingredients, sourcing as much as they can from the local region. The fish is always seasonal and mostly come from the waters of the Seto Inland Sea. The popular desserts are all handmade by the Sheraton’s dedicated pastry team and the bread is prepared in-house in the Sheraton bakery.

For those with a taste for an aperitif or a nightcap, the classic bar next to the restaurant is the ideal place to unwind and enjoy your favorite tipple. It is fully-stocked with a great range of whiskeys and liqueurs.

If you would prefer a more unique drink – look no farther than the Wasabi Martini. An original cocktail created four years ago by the Sheraton bar manager, it comprises of fresh wasabi, Cointreau and vodka. The Wasabi Martini is a surprisingly smooth-tasting martini, without the heat associated with wasabi. But be warned: according to the current bar staff Takayuki Tomasa, the wasabi kicks in at the end if you let it settle for too long.

Photographs & Text by Tom Miyagawa Coulton