Hotel Nikko Kumamoto Standard Twin Room with Kumamoto Castle View

Hotel Nikko Kumamoto offers spacious accommodations, with even the smallest single room measuring 21 square meters. Previously, I stayed at two hotels near Kumamoto Station and one in the city center, and this time I decided to return to the city center. After reading reviews, I found that the Kumamoto Castle view from this hotel is beautiful and the hotel seems better than Nikko Fukuoka, so I chose this place first. From Kumamoto Station, it takes about 20 minutes by tram to reach the hotel. The hotel is located just a minute's walk from Torichosuji Station. It stands as a landmark on Kumamoto's main street, flanked by large arcades on both sides. A friend from Kumamoto mentioned that Nikko is just a decent hotel, similar to how we refer to Westin Chosun or Grand Chosun as Shinsegae (Chosun) hotels. 🤣 After enjoying afternoon tea in Nagasaki, I arrived in Kumamoto around 6:30 PM and proceeded to check in. I presented my Harmony membership card, and the staff offered a room upgrade. For just an additional 1,000 yen, I could get a twin room with a separated bathtub, a Kumamoto Castle view, and a larger room size (single rooms do not have a castle view). I asked again to confirm—was it really just 1,000 yen? The staff assured me it was, with no hidden charges. A happiness worth 1,000 yen—how could I refuse? Thus, I ended up in a twin room that usually costs 18,800 yen during time sales. For 1,000 yen, I got a 33-square-meter twin room with a Kumamoto Castle view, a separated bathroom, and a room on the highest standard floor (12F), next to a corner room. It was a lucky moment, and I expressed my gratitude to the staff who checked me in. The room shows some signs of age but is well-maintained. It has a classic feel, reminiscent of Seoul's Shilla Hotel or Lotte Hotel. The view is indeed stunning, offering a city view, a Kumamoto Castle view, and even the mountains in the background, creating a picturesque scene. The separated bathroom includes a shower and a large bathtub, perfect for relaxing with the provided bath salts. I fell asleep while gazing at the illuminated Kumamoto Castle night view and woke up to face the castle directly from my bed. At 6:30 AM, I joined breakfast. True to Kumamoto's reputation as a city of horse meat, the horse meat curry and horse meat sukiyaki were delightful specialties. The tender horse meat made for a hearty start to the day. The restaurant on the 2nd floor offers a tram view, with trams passing by every five minutes. After checking out at 7:30 AM, I left my suitcase at the hotel and embarked on a half-day King Tour of Kumamoto. At noon, I participated in afternoon tea at the hotel lounge, retrieved my luggage at 2 PM, and departed. From start to finish, I was greeted warmly. Excellent service—thank you!