Sendai's Hidden Gem: Hotel Monterey – Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Sendai's Hidden Gem: Hotel Monterey – Where Luxury Hugs You (Sometimes Too Hard!)
Okay, let's be honest. Finding a truly amazing hotel is harder than finding good parking in Sendai on a Golden Week. But trust me, after a recent stay at the Hotel Monterey Sendai, I'm convinced I stumbled onto a little slice of heaven… with a slightly wonky elevator.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Like My Japanese (and I lived there for 2 years!)
- Wheelchair Accessible: This is important for me, and the Monterey gets a decent score. Some areas are great, some… less so. The lobby and many rooms are perfectly navigable. Other areas seemed to have a secret agenda of stairs.
- Elevator: Okay, the elevator. It's there. It functions. That's all I'm saying. (Maybe bring a book. Or a strong friend.)
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They do have accessible rooms, which is a huge win. They try, and that's a solid start.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Little Overzealous, Maybe? (But I'm Not Complaining)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. Makes you feel like you're entering a sterile lab. Good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check. See above.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere: Check. My hands are cleaner than my conscience after eating the entire bread basket (more on that later).
- Hygiene certification: Honestly, I'm not sure exactly who certifies hygiene, but they seem to have it. I never once worried about catching anything.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Check. Like, everything. Even the air.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They really try. Sometimes, it felt a little… intense. But hey, better safe than sorry, right?
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yup. Basically, it's a hospital-grade clean.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: You can opt-out. I didn't. Why would you?
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Definitely. It's like your room gets a vacation between your vacation.
- Safe dining setup: Definitely safe. Probably too safe. (I still ate the bread basket).
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yes. They're practically ninjas in the mask and gloves department.
- Sterilizing equipment: I suspect they have a few things.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Bread Basket Incident (My Breakdown!)
Okay, let's talk about food. Where do I even begin?
- Restaurants: Several. I tried them all. Okay, maybe not all, but a significant number.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, the breakfast. It's… good. Western and Asian options. But let me tell you about the bread basket. This isn’t just any bread basket. This is a commitment to carbs. Croissants that melt in your mouth. Rolls that practically wink at you. Baguettes that beg to be buttered. I ate the entire thing, every single day. Don't judge me.
- Breakfast service: They'll bring it up to your room. (If you can manage to get yourself out of your bed after The Bread Basket Incident.)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: Yes. Essential.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant & International & Western: Wide variety of amazing options.
- Happy hour: I missed it. Focused on the bread.
- Room service [24-hour]: YES! And the menu is extensive. Midnight ramen? Don't mind if I do.
- Poolside bar: Ah… there is a pool, more on that later. Great drink selection!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa? Yes. Pool? Yes. Sanity? Questionable After the Weekend.
- Body wrap, Body scrub, Massage, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool: Yes, yes, yes, yes, and YES! Seriously, the spa is divine. Get a massage. You deserve it. The pool is… a bit public, but with a view. I even saw a few of them take photos of the view.
- Fitness center: Did I use the fitness center? Let's just say the aforementioned bread basket might provide more than enough. It was there, though. It looked… intimidating.
- Sauna: Yep. Get sweaty. Detox. Embrace the zen. Then go back for the bread.
- Gym/fitness: (See above)
Rooms: From Cozy to Spacous
- Air conditioning in public area & Available in all rooms & Air conditioning: Always a plus.
- Bathroom galore – you can get the big room with three toilets!
- Bathroom phone, bathtub, private bathroom, and separate shower/bathtub: All the bathroom luxury you could hope for.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for recovering from the bread basket coma.
- Coffee/tea maker & Complimentary tea: Always a great benefit, and the hotel supplies some good ones.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless. Even after The Bread Basket Incident.
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Great if you need to work.
- Extra long bed: Always a nice feature for sleeping.
- Free bottled water: (Essential for hydrating after the sauna. And bread.)
- In-room safe box & Safety/security feature: Peace of mind.
- Internet access – LAN & Internet access – wireless & Wi-Fi [free]: Top marks. You can stream cat videos in peace.
- Ironing facilities & Ironing service: Wrinkle-free! Even after stuffing my face.
- Mini bar & Refrigerator: Great for chilling the sake.
- Non-smoking: Thank god.
- On-demand movies: Indulge yourself.
- Reading light: Perfect for… reading. Or pretending to read while you secretly eat snacks.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty of options.
- Seating area & Sofa: Comfy zones.
- Soundproofing & Soundproof rooms: I never heard a peep from outside.
- Soundproofing: Crucial for escaping the sounds of your own shame after the bread basket.
- Wake-up service: Because even the best hotels can't make you wake up early.
- Window that opens: A touch of fresh air. Nice.
Services and Conveniences: From Laundry to Concierge – They Got You!
- Concierge: They're helpful with recommendations.
- Daily housekeeping & Dry cleaning: Always perfect.
- Elevator & Ironing service & Laundry service & Luggage storage: Everything you could want.
- Food delivery: Ordered pizza once. No regrets.
- Gift/souvenir shop: A bit small, but you can pick up some last-minute gifts.
- Meeting/banquet facilities & Seminars & Business facilities & Xerox/fax in business center: Yes, if you're there for work.
For the Kids: My (Imaginary) Kids Would Have Loved It!
- Babysitting service: (Didn’t use it, but good to know.)
- Family/child friendly & Kids facilities & Kids meal: It seemed very geared towards families!
Getting Around: Easy, Unless You're Drunk on Croissants.
- Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking: They make it easy.
My Takeaway? Book Now!
Okay, so the Hotel Monterey Sendai isn't perfect. The elevator is a bit… of an adventure. The bread basket is a black hole of deliciousness. But the overall experience is wonderful. The service is impeccable. The spa is heavenly. The rooms are comfortable. It’s a little slice of luxury nestled in a great location.
Here’s My Unsolicited Advice: Book Directly, and Splurge on the Room Upgrade. And for the love of all that is holy, try the bread basket (but maybe share it, unlike yours truly).
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My Personal Rating: 8.5/10 (Would be 10/10 if they shipped the bread basket!)
HOTEL MONTEREY SENDAI: UNFORGETTABLE LUXURY AWAITS! - BOOK YOUR STAY TODAY!
Don't miss out on the chance to experience Sendai's hidden gem! Book your room at the Hotel Monterey Sendai and indulge in:
- Luxurious Rooms: Relax in our well-appointed rooms with all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay, including free Wi-Fi, comfortable beds
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-polished travel itinerary. This is… me, in Sendai, Japan, at the Hotel Monterey, trying desperately not to trip over my suitcase and cry because I left my lucky socks at home. Here goes, the glorious mess:
Pre-Trip Anxiety (aka Day -1):
- 5:00 PM: Panic set in. Did I pack enough underwear? (Spoiler alert: Nope. Apparently, Japanese laundromats are not the laundry gods I envisioned.) Screaming internally about the socks. Seriously, those socks have seen me through some stuff.
- 7:00 PM: Tried to convince myself I was "zen" about the flight. Failed miserably. Downloaded five podcasts about unsolved mysteries. Needed them.
- 10:00 PM: Rambled to my cat, Mr. Fluffernutter, about my hopes and dreams for this trip. He just blinked and went back to sleep. Rude.
Day 1: Arrival & Sendai City Shuffle (aka The Jet-Lagged Tango)
- 6:00 AM (Sendai Time): Woke up feeling like I'd been tenderized by a flock of particularly aggressive pigeons. The jet lag is REAL. Swore at the alarm clock.
- 7:00 AM: Managed to drag myself to the Hotel Monterey Sendai lobby, which is actually a lovely lobby, all dark wood and chandeliers. Immediately got hit with a wave of "WOW, I'm REALLY in Japan!" (Slightly dampened by the fact that I was wearing a t-shirt that claimed "I <3 Cats" – classy). Checked in. Thank you, sweet front desk angel, for speaking English.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast: I went for the buffet. Sushi at 8 AM? Bold choice. Ended up eating way too much, and now I'm pretty sure I need to loosen my belt buckle. Worth it. Saw a tiny Japanese woman gracefully maneuver with three plates piled high. Goals.
- 9:00 AM: Attempted to find the "nearest convenience store" that I'd heard about in my research. Somehow ended up wandering in the opposite direction, questioning every life choice that led me to this very moment. Finally found one, bought a coffee, and stared blankly at the Japanese characters on the coffee pot. At least the coffee was good.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Sendai City Center - Hit up the street stalls. Bought a ridiculously intricate wooden puzzle (that I’ll probably never solve.) Window-shopped until my feet screamed “Enough!” The architecture is stunning, but I'm also secretly judging everyone's shoes.
- Anecdote: Tried to haggle over a tiny, adorable Daruma doll. Failed miserably. The vendor just smiled, and I ended up buying it anyway. He probably knew I was a lost cause the second I opened my mouth.
- Impression: The street art is amazing, but the sheer number of vending machines is overwhelming. I’m half-expecting them to start talking.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. Craved gyoza (dumplings). found a small, smoky place. Heaven. The gyoza were perfect—crispy, juicy, and utterly divine. I ate so many and then felt a tiny bit ashamed.
- 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Explored Aoba Castle Ruins. The history here is incredible and the view of Sendai is mind-blowing. It’s kind of lonely, honestly.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel because I suddenly had about as much energy as a damp noodle. Napped, then woke up feeling even more confused about what day it was.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Tried to order ramen. Accidentally ordered something that looked suspiciously like eels. Ate it anyway. It was… an experience.
- 8:00 PM: Collapsed in bed. Attempted to write in my journal. Mostly just doodled stick figures with jet lag eyes. Hoped, with all my heart, that I'd be able to sleep tonight.
Day 2: Food Glorious Food & The Earthquake That Wasn’t (or Was It?)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. Still jet lagged. Sighed heavily. Needed to figure out this whole "directions" thing.
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast - Another dive into the buffet. Made a serious commitment to try everything. The miso soup is AMAZING.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Sendai Asaichi Market: Heaven. The sheer chaos! The smells! The energy! Bought a giant, perfectly ripe peach and ate it like a barbarian. No regrets.
- Quirky Observation: The fishermen look like they've seen some things. Also, the fish are… fresh. Really, really fresh. I mean, looking at me fresh.
- Emotional Reaction: Overwhelmed by the sheer abundance. Wish I could buy everything.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at a Local Restaurant: Found a tiny place with a line out the door. Took a leap of faith. Best katsudon (pork cutlet & rice) I've ever had. Seriously, I'm still dreaming about it. Feeling like I'm finally getting the hang of the whole Japanese food thing.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Kamei's Forest (Tsutsujigaoka Park). This was the plan, anyhow. As I was walking around, I swear I felt the earth move. A brief tremor. I was confused. Then I remembered the news from home and my heart rate spiked. Maybe it was just an unusually intense gust of wind? I don't know. Either way, it just took a little bit of time to settle back into my state of mind.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back to The Hotel: Took a nap to recover from the earthquake/wind/overactive imagination experience.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Look, I'll be honest. I'm tired, I don't know this place, and I can't read the menu. Just pointed at something that looked nice and hoped for the best. It turned out to be some kind of spicy noodles. Not bad, but not katsudon.
- 8:00 PM: More journal doodling. Contemplating the meaning of life, or at least how to adjust my sleep schedule.
Day 3: Exploring Further & Farewell Anxiety (aka The Beginning of the End)
- 7:00 AM: Alarm blares. Groan. Breakfast. Buffet. Repeat.
- 8:00 AM: Visited Osaki Hachimangu Shrine. Peaceful. Beautiful. Got a omikuji (fortune) that said I'd have "good fortune in the coming year." Felt a little bit of hope.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Sendai City Museum - Art and artifacts. Definitely not my favorite art museum.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch - Tried a delicious Japanese curry at a restaurant called Hidakaya. It's a chain restaurant.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Wandered around Jozenji-dori Avenue. Stylish area. Feeling a bit melancholy. My trip is ending.
- 5:00 PM: Started packing. Started the internal mourning of my lost socks.
- 7:00 PM: Fancy final dinner near the hotel.
- 9:00 PM: Wrote a note to myself, promising to return to Sendai.
Day 4: Departure (aka The Sad Goodbye)
- 6:00 AM: Get up, final breakfast.
- 7:00 AM: Check out.
- 8:00 AM: Travel to the airport.
- 10:00 AM: On the plane. Goodbye Sendai. You weird, wonderful place.
- Flight: Dreamily sleep, daydreaming of my beloved katsudon
Post-Trip Notes:
- Don't: Leave your lucky socks at home. Seriously.
- Do: Embrace the chaos.
- Food Recommendation: Katsudon. Seriously guys, the katsudon.
- Overall Rating: Sendai? Definitely worth it. Even with the jet lag, the earthquake-that-wasn't, and
Sendai's Secret Weapon: Hotel Monterey – Your Head's Gonna Explode (in a Good Way!)
Okay, spill. Why is Hotel Monterey Sendai a "hidden gem" and not just, you know, *another* hotel?
Alright, alright, settle down. Picture this: you're wandering Sendai, maybe a little bamboozled by the station (it's HUGE!), and you stumble upon... this. Hotel Monterey. It's not exactly shouting from the rooftops, that's why it's "hidden." Think secret speakeasy, but for comfy beds and over-the-top decor. The thing is, it's not just *one* theme. It’s like they raided a bunch of historical periods and said, "Yeah, let's throw *all* of them in here!" It's a glorious, chaotic, slightly bonkers masterpiece of interior design. Seriously, my brain did a little backflip the first time I walked in. I thought I was hallucinating a Renaissance painting, a Parisian cafe, and a Victorian library all rolled into one.
What's the *actual* vibe, though? Is it pretentious? Because, honestly, I hate pretentious.
Okay, good question. And the answer is: thankfully, NO. It could *easily* fall into the "pretentious" trap, with all that fancy stuff. But thank the travel gods it doesn't! It’s the *opposite*. It’s got that "Oh, we know we're awesome, but we're not going to rub it in your face" kind of vibe. It's… dare I say… *fun*? The staff are lovely, always helpful without being annoyingly over-the-top. The whole place feels less like a museum and more like a really, *really* well-curated living room, albeit one with room service.
Let's talk rooms. Should I expect to sleep in a gilded cage? (Please say no gilded cages.)
Gilded cages? Thankfully, no! (Though, imagining that is now making me want one...) The rooms are… well, they depend on the theme of your particular floor. They're generally comfortable, well-appointed, and thankfully, *not* cramped. I stayed in a room that felt like a cozy library. Seriously, the armchair was *perfect* for reading. Another time, I had a room that was… well, it looked like a really classy train compartment. (I almost expected Hercule Poirot to pop in.) Seriously, the variety is part of the charm. Just don't expect ultra-modern minimalism. If you're into that, go elsewhere. This is all about embracing the chaos!
The food. Don’t tell me the food is a letdown. Please!
Okay, okay, deep breaths. The food… is mostly excellent. The main restaurant, *Escargot*, is a total treat. Think French-inspired, but with Japanese precision. I swear, the bread they serve before the meal *alone* is worth the price of admission. And the breakfast buffet? Prepare to weep tears of joy (or maybe just be extremely full and slightly grumpy because you ate way too much). There's something for everyone – local Sendai specialties, Western staples, and plenty of pastries that will tempt you to break all your diet rules. Honestly, I may have gained a few pounds just *thinking* about the breakfast buffet. And the coffee! Oh, the coffee…
Is it expensive? Because my budget is, shall we say, limited.
Alright, let's be real. It's not a budget hostel, that's for sure. But, and this is a *huge* but, I think it's worth the price. You're paying for the experience, the impeccable service, and the fact that you feel like you've stepped into another world. Look for deals, especially during the off-season. And if you have a credit card with points, USE THEM. Trust me, you won't regret it. Compared to what some of the "luxury" hotels charge, though? Surprisingly, it’s not *insane*. It's an investment in your sanity, perhaps.
Seriously though, any downsides? Gotta keep it real.
Okay, yeah, even paradise has a few flaws. The layout can be a bit… maze-like, especially on the first day. I got lost trying to find the elevator *twice*. (Embarrassing, but true.) The air conditioning, in one room, was a *little* overzealous. Bring a sweater. And if you're *super* sensitive to noise, ask for a room away from the street - though, honestly, Sendai is not exactly a party town, so it wasn't a huge issue for me. Finally, and this is a minor nitpick, the Wi-Fi speed wasn't always lightning-fast. But other than that? Seriously, it's pretty damn close to perfect.
Okay, let's go granular... The SPA! Is it worth the hype?
The spa… OH. MY. GOODNESS. The spa is not just worth the hype; it’s worth a freakin’ pilgrimage! It's called 'Spa Natural', and it feels as if you're in a secret grotto, hidden away from all the craziness of the world. I spent a solid three hours there last time, and I swear, I emerged feeling like a new human. They've got all the usual stuff – saunas, onsen, massage, cold plunge pools (which I chickened out of, I’m not going to lie. It looked *freezing*), but the *ambiance* is what does it. Dim lighting, soothing music, the smell of essential oils… It's pure bliss. The only downside? You probably won’t want to leave! I could live in that spa. Seriously, my skin was glowing for days afterward.
Location, location, location! How easy is it to get around from there?
The location is pretty darn good. It's a short walk from Sendai Station which as you know is HUGE. Close enough that you can easily walk, even with luggage (though maybe grab a taxi if you're feeling lazy). It's also close to a bunch of restaurants, shops, and some of the city's best sights. Plus, the Sendai Subway is right there if you want to explore further afield. Honestly, you're in a prime spot for everything! It's easy to get to the hotel itself, and easy to get around from there. Win-win!
