After three nights at the Hyatt House Kanazawa, I moved next door to the Hyatt Centric Kanazawa to complete my week in Kanazawa. The hotels are both located in the Cross Gate Kanazawa complex, so the transfer involved little more than walking across the building.

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa Check-In

The Hyatt House had already told the Hyatt Centric that I was switching hotels, so the front desk was expecting me when I arrived.

An agent from Nepal handled check-in quickly and efficiently and spoke both Japanese and English. I had booked a standard room but, as a Globalist, was upgraded to a City View room on the top floor as part of the best-available room benefit. I was assigned room 1319.

After receiving the usual hotel information and an overview of my Globalist benefits, I headed upstairs.

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa City View Room

I headed up to Room 1319 after checking in. The room follows a fairly conventional Japanese hotel layout. Entering the room, past the closet and minibar area, the king bed sits along the right side, with the television mounted opposite.

A lounger and table sit in front of the window, creating a separate place to relax away from the bed.

On the table was a welcome note, an amenity, and an invitation to a hashi (chopstick) stand creation workshop. (Unlike the outdated card in my Hyatt House room, this one was for the correct month).

There’s also a small desk with a chair that may work well enough for getting some light work done. There’s a bedside table on each side of the bed. On the left bedside table, a Bose speaker is provided, and there’s a set of switches that control, among other things, both the sheer and blackout shades.

It’s a small feature, but one you notice when a hotel skips it.

There are fewer switches on the other side of the bed and the other bedside table holds only an alarm clock.

To the left of the entrance are the closet, then the minibar. Bathrobes, yukata and slippers are also provided.

The minibar itself was empty, but four bottles of water were provided alongside an espresso machine.

Capsules included a Tokyo Lungo and a decaf option. The tea selection was more extensive. TWG supplied the English Breakfast and chamomile tea, while Ito En provided green tea and roasted green tea.

There’s also a QR code in the room for requesting additional amenities. The room overlooked Kanazawa Station and the city beyond.

Thermostat

The thermostat would only go down to 20ºC (68ºF). While the AC itself was quite strong and cooled the room to 20ºC quickly, but that was the lowest available setting.

Bathroom

Back toward the entrance, the bathroom is split into separate spaces in typical Japanese fashion.

The toilet room is immediately to the right when you enter. A little farther ahead on the same side is the vanity with a single sink.

Bathroom amenities are stored neatly inside a drawer beneath the vanity along with a hair dryer.

The bathing area sits beyond that, around the corner behind the toilet room, and includes both a shower and bathtub. Like the Hyatt House next door, the Centric has a handheld showerhead on an adjustable mount rather than a rainfall shower.

The toiletries are from BeeKind and come in refillable pump bottles in the bathing area.

Hand soap is provided as a bar rather than liquid soap.

Body lotion comes in an individual bottle on the vanity.

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa Breakfast at FIVE Grill & Lounge

Breakfast is served at FIVE Grill & Lounge on the lobby floor. This is also where the Hyatt House sends guests on breakfast-inclusive rates and Globalists with the breakfast benefit. The restaurant itself is quite attractive and features a variety of seating options.

Breakfast is served buffet-style with coffee orders taken at the tables. I ordered a plant-milk cappuccino every morning.

The buffet is spread across several stations rather than crammed into a single line.

One island focuses on fruit, nuts, cereal, salads, smoked salmon, cheese, cold cuts and other chilled items.

A second island is devoted largely to Japanese breakfast dishes. Expect rice, miso soup, fish, natto, umeboshi and a selection of Japanese side dishes.

The main buffet area has yogurt, pastries and breads alongside the hot Western dishes.

The western section included an egg station for omelets, Eggs Benedict and other cooked-to-order preparations.

At the far end is a small selection of Kanazawa specialties, including Kanazawa curry and Kanazawa-style Hanton chicken rice.

A separate drinks area has juices, while coffee and tea are also available for anyone who prefers not to order from the staff.

There’s enough variety here that even a multi-night stay shouldn’t become repetitive too quickly.

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa Globalist Benefits

Globalist benefits here go beyond the usual breakfast and room upgrade. Interestingly, Globalists at the Hyatt Centric retain access to the complimentary drinks at the Hyatt House next door.

That means you can simply walk across the plaza and use the Hyatt House lounge-style setup during its operating hours. I covered this in my review of the Hyatt House Kanazawa.

Globalists also receive a welcome drink for each registered guest every day. These can be used at both hotel bars. The eligible drinks menu is fairly generous. Here’s the welcome drink menu at The Five Grill and Lounge:

And here’s the welcome drink menu at the rooftop bar:

One evening I had a Campari soda. On another, I asked for an Aperol Spritz made with Campari instead, which the bartender was happy to accommodate.

It’s a genuinely useful benefit rather than the ceremonial glass of boxed wine or bottom-shelf long drinks some hotels call a welcome drink.

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa Rooftop Bar

The rooftop bar on the 14th floor ended up being one of my favorite parts of the hotel.

It has an outdoor terrace and, from what I could tell, is probably the best rooftop bar setup in Kanazawa.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than clubby, with good views and enough separation from the rest of the hotel to feel like a destination. The staff were consistently friendly.

I ended up going upstairs for a nightcap more nights than not during my stay, and not just for a daily welcome drink. The other cocktails were also well-crafted.

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa Gym

The gym is on the second floor, one level below the lobby, at the end of a hallway.

It’s reasonably well equipped by hotel standards. In terms of resistance training, a Smith bench press, a cable machine and a selection of free weights.

Cardio equipment includes treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes.

There’s also TRX equipment, mats and space for stretching or floor exercises, along with towels and a water dispenser.

It’s not an elaborate fitness center, but it has enough equipment for a proper workout rather than merely satisfying the brochure requirement.

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa Service

Service at the Hyatt Centric Kanazawa was very good throughout my stay. I had considerably more interaction with staff here than at the Hyatt House, since I ate breakfast at FIVE all seven mornings and visited the rooftop bar more nights than not.

The restaurant and bar staff were consistently friendly while remaining polished and professional. The bartenders in particular stood out. Service was personable, and the drinks were consistently well made.

Front desk staff were similarly efficient and proficient whenever I dealt with them. I never interacted directly with housekeeping, but the room was cleaned each time thoroughly.

All in all, service here is a bit more high-touch than at the Hyatt House next door, which fits the positioning.

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa Bottom Line

The Hyatt Centric Kanazawa is the more polished of the two Hyatts at Cross Gate Kanazawa. The location beside Kanazawa Station is excellent, breakfast at FIVE is genuinely good, the gym is okay, and the rooftop bar is a landmark in town. Globalist treatment was strong, particularly with the room upgrade, daily welcome drinks, breakfast, and continued access to the Hyatt House free-flow setup. For a longer stay, I may favor the extra space and kitchen at the Hyatt House (aside from its more basic gym). For a shorter stay, the Centric definitely has advantages, starting with more inspiring views.