Hotel Mercure Hida Takayama

Overview

Mercure Hida Takayama impresses instantly; from the bamboo-laden garden outside the hotel, the massive Takayama deconstructed furniture wall installation in the lobby, the cozy sitting area with its fireplace, to the museum-like concierge area.

There are  a total of 161 rooms, divided into two room types—Superior &  Privilege. Both have the same layout and floor areas; the only difference as far as we can tell is that the Privilege rooms also have complimentary drinks at the ground-floor Hobar Bar.

The room is spaced just right, you can freely move about without bumping into the walls and furniture—this is actually expected with hotels in Japan. There’s no closet space, but they do have a suitcase table where you can unfold your suitcase permanently, and above that, a sort of open closet where you can hang some of your clothes. Should you have another suitcase, the area near the door can also act as a permanently opened suitcase area.

One thing I really noticed during my recent stay - the beds are exceptionally comfy. It is quite the challenge to drag yourself sightseeing or the day!

There is a rooftop onsen —males and females separated, of course. Both have an indoor and outdoor bath—the latter overlooking the city—quite perfect during the evenings. They also have a private onsen, for a more private experience for couples, priced at JPY 4,000—good for an hour.

The HOBAR restaurant & bar is really quite exceptional also. The excellent buffet breakfast starts early (if you can drag yourself out of bed), and in the evenings they mostly serve Japanese food with a few local favourites and some Western fare.

Location

The, Mercure's location is one of its best features. Located some steps away from the Nohi Bus Station and the JR Line, it’s near enough for incoming visitors to access without needing any sort of transportation. Once settled in, the town’s top tourist spot, the Takayama Old Town, is also just minutes away by foot. If you’re not in the mood to walk, there are stops near the area for buses that ply the town. Restaurants and cafés can also be found within the area, as are convenience stores.