The Royal Park Canvas – Nagoya

Opened in 2013, the 12-story Royal Park Canvas Nagoya has competitive rates and a contemporary vibe that make it appealing to a diverse demographic, encompassing solo business travelers as well as garden-variety sightseers who often have children in tow. The two converge in a slick yet simple lobby that sets the tone for the hotel as a whole. Clean lines, quality materials and a grayscale color palette make a modern statement, while drawings by Japanese artist Yuka Takeda—specially commissioned for the property and scattered throughout—add a welcome local touch. 

Situated in central Nagoya’s Nakamura Ward, this hotel is just a three-minute walk from the closest subway stop and a seven-minute one from Nagoya Station, a major railway hub. The office towers and underground shopping complexes that abound in the immediate area are easily accessed on foot; public transport puts you conveniently close to the city’s top tourist attractions, too. Museum-hoppers, for instance, can hit the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology or the Nagoya City Science Museum in under 20 minutes, while history buffs can reach Nagoya Castle or the Atsuta Jingu Shrine in the same amount of time. But theme-park enthusiasts should know that, even though the hotel is an official partner of Legoland Japan, the venue itself is still 38 minutes away via mass transit—about half that by car. Using either mode of transportation, you can get to Chubu Centrair International Airport in about 45 minutes.

• Three-minute walk to the Kokusai Center Subway Station 
• Seven-minute walk to Nagoya Train Station
• 14 minutes to the Nagoya TV Tower via public transit
• 14 minutes to Oasis 21 via public transit
• 15 minutes to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology via public transit
• 16 minutes to the Osu shopping district and Osu Kannon Temple via public transit
• 17 minutes to Nagoya Castle via public transit
• 18 minutes to the Nagoya City Science Museum via public transit
• 19 minutes to the Atsuta Jingu Shrine via public transit
•  24 minutes to Nagoya Airfield via public transit
• 38 minutes to Legoland Japan via public transit
• 45 minutes to Chubu Centrair International Airport via car or public transit

The accommodations here—ranging from 170-square-foot Singles to 314-square-foot Universal-class rooms—may seem compact by North American standards, but they are on point for Japan and more “boutique-y” than you might expect given the reasonable rates. Decorated in earthy tones, each features mahogany-stained built-ins which are balanced by crisp white bed linens to create an overall aesthetic that is best described as “manly modern.” Regardless of size, all choices come similarly equipped with air-conditioning, humidifiers, mini-fridges, coffee/tea-making supplies, free bottled water, laptop safes, flat-screen TVs, on-request DVD players and fast free Wi-Fi. The matching bathrooms, outfitted with modular shower/tub combos or showers only, are a tight squeeze; nevertheless, they include appreciated perks like hairdryers, robes and a comprehensive collection of toiletries. Since the hotel caters to both busy corporate types and vacationing families, work desks are standard issue in every category and baby beds are available. 

In keeping with Canvas branding, this Royal Park outpost features a trendy-looking restaurant/bar that is located right off the lobby. Monsieur ITOH offers a mix of Japanese and international dishes in an airy, loft-like space complete with blond plank flooring, chalkboard menus, and matte black accents. Note that it also serves as the breakfast room (where a sustaining add-on buffet is laid out each morning) and has a private dining room, which does double duty as a meeting space. Vending machines and a FamilyMart convenience store on the ground level offer other edible options. Up on the third floor, you will find a free “spa” with therapeutic "onsen"-style pools for men and women but no actual treatment rooms. Additional features include a 24-hour reception desk with multilingual staff, a small business lounge, a rental car outlet, designated smoking areas, paid parking, plus free Wi-Fi throughout.