Review: Hilton Nagoya – Renovated Executive Lounge and Diamond Member Benefits
Originally published in November 2023, updated in May 2026
Our next stop after Kyoto was Nagoya. Thanks to Japan’s high-speed Shinkansen, the journey takes just 40 minutes. No sooner had I settled into my seat and started replying to a few emails than we were already arriving.
As an aside, Japan is home to several cities with populations of well over a million, all connected by an incredibly efficient high-speed rail network. Trains depart at astonishingly frequent intervals. When I lived in Japan, I took this for granted. But now, having travelled from the UK, I find it genuinely remarkable.
In this review, I’ll share my stay at Hilton Nagoya, one of Japan’s pioneering international hotels, including its newly renovated Executive Lounge and the benefits I received as a Hilton Honors Diamond member.
Getting to Hilton Nagoya – From Nagoya Station and Chubu Centrair International Airport
From Nagoya Station (JR, Meitetsu, or Kintetsu)
As I was travelling with luggage, I took a taxi from Nagoya Station. However, if you’re travelling light, the hotel is close enough to reach on foot. It’s around a 15-minute walk from the station, making it a convenient option for those who prefer not to take a taxi.
From Chubu Centrair International Airport
From Chubu Centrair International Airport, take a Meitetsu train to Nagoya Station, then follow the directions above to reach the hotel.
The fastest option is the μSKY (Mu Sky) limited express, an all-reserved-seat service that reaches Meitetsu Nagoya Station in around 30 minutes. The fare is ¥980, plus a ¥450 reserved-seat surcharge (Mu Ticket), making the total ¥1,430.
If you’re travelling with a large suitcase, I highly recommend the μSKY. The trains have dedicated luggage storage areas, comfortable reserved seating, and provide a much more relaxed journey after a flight.
If you’ve just missed a μSKY service, don’t worry. Regular Meitetsu limited express trains also reach Nagoya in under 40 minutes, although they stop at a few more stations along the way.
Unlike many countries, there is no limited express surcharge on standard Meitetsu limited express trains—you only pay the regular fare. However, if you’d like a guaranteed seat, you can simply purchase a Mu Ticket to travel in the reserved-seat carriages, offering a similar level of comfort to the μSKY service. These carriages also have onboard toilets, which can be especially convenient if you’re arriving after a long flight.
Check-in and an Afternoon at Café 3-3
After checking in, I had some time before meeting a friend, so I wandered around the hotel lobby. A beautifully decorated Christmas display immediately caught my eye, making it feel as though the festive season was just around the corner.
We decided to catch up over coffee at Café 3-3, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant and café. To get into the Christmas spirit, I ordered a slice of Stollen, the traditional German Christmas fruit bread. It had been quite some time since we last met, and between catching up and sharing stories about what we’d both been up to, the afternoon passed in no time.
Executive Room Review – Upgraded as a Hilton Honors Diamond Member
As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, I was kindly upgraded to an Executive Room.
The room’s interior has a distinctly Japanese touch. The sliding shoji screens and fusuma-style panels around the windows reminded me of the design at Hilton Tokyo (read my review here), while the lighting and furniture had a similar feel to the Executive Rooms at Hilton Tokyo Bay (read my review here). If you’ve stayed at either hotel before, you may notice the resemblance.
As a thoughtful welcome gift from the hotel, I also received a box of karintō, a traditional Japanese sweet made from deep-fried dough, flavoured with Hatcho miso, a local speciality of Nagoya.
The bathroom includes a full-sized bathtub, perfect for a relaxing soak after a day of sightseeing. That said, I would also recommend spending some time at the hotel’s Japanese-style public bath in the spa, which I’ll introduce below.
Eecutive Lounge Review | A Relaxing Space Surrounded by Aichi’s Traditional Crafts
Updated in May 2026
When I stayed at Hilton Nagoya again in May 2026, the place I was looking forward to most was the Executive Lounge. The lounge was relocated and completely renovated in November 2025, creating a much larger and more welcoming space. More importantly, the atmosphere has been transformed. According to one of the hotel staff, every element—from the furniture and decorative pieces to the lighting—was newly selected as part of the redesign.
One of the first features that caught my eye was the glossy black tiles at the entrance. Their rich, almost obsidian-like finish gives the space a striking first impression. These are made from Tokoname ware, one of Japan’s oldest pottery traditions. Looking closely, you’ll notice that each tile has a slightly different texture, reflecting the craftsmanship of being individually handmade.
The backs of the high chairs and the lampshades feature Arimatsu Shibori, a traditional tie-dye textile craft that originated in Aichi Prefecture over 400 years ago. It’s a subtle touch, but one that adds warmth and local character to the lounge.
The walls of the buffet area are decorated with tiles produced using the techniques of Sanshu Kawara, the traditional roof tiles for which Aichi is well known. I particularly loved their beautiful colours and textures. The decorative ceramic jars displayed on the shelves are made from Seto ware, another famous pottery tradition from the region.
In addition to evening cocktails and canapés, the Executive Lounge also serves breakfast each morning. If you have Executive Lounge access through your room category or Hilton Honors status, I highly recommend spending some time here—the newly renovated lounge is easily one of the highlights of staying at Hilton Nagoya.
Hotel Facilities – Pool, Fitness Centre and Japanese Public Bath
I also made good use of the hotel’s spa facilities during my stay, which were excellent and added to the overall experience.
The Fitness Centre includes a well-equipped gym, an indoor swimming pool and a tennis court. Like Hilton Tokyo (read my review here), the changing rooms feature a Japanese-style public bath, complete with a sauna. If you’ve never experienced a Japanese public bath before, it’s a great opportunity to try one.
Next to the swimming pool is a heated whirlpool, making it the perfect place to warm up after a swim or simply relax.
For the latest opening hours and facility information, please refer to the hotel’s official website.
Breakfast | Local Nagoya Specialities and Diamond Member Perks
Breakfast is served in a bright, airy restaurant with a dramatic atrium, where natural sunlight streams in through the large windows. It’s a wonderfully refreshing way to start the day.
Coming from London, where winter mornings are often grey and overcast, I particularly appreciated the warm sunshine. The restaurant was already decorated for Christmas, adding a festive atmosphere to breakfast.
As you would expect in Nagoya, local specialities are well represented on the buffet. One of the highlights was miso katsu—a breaded pork cutlet served with Nagoya’s rich red miso sauce. If you try it, don’t forget to add plenty of the miso sauce!
Updated in May 2026
During my return stay in May 2026, I was also offered a complimentary drink and a freshly prepared Gohei-mochi as a special treat for Hilton Honors Diamond members.
Gohei-mochi is a traditional grilled rice cake from central Japan, coated with a sweet and savoury miso-based sauce. It was a lovely local touch and something I hadn’t expected to find at breakfast.
Updated in May 2026
During my return stay in May 2026, I was also offered a complimentary drink and a freshly prepared Gohei-mochi as a special treat for Hilton Honors Diamond members.
Gohei-mochi is a traditional grilled rice cake from central Japan, coated with a sweet and savoury miso-based sauce. It was a lovely local touch and something I hadn’t expected to find at breakfast.
Useful Information – Discover Tokoname and the INAX Museums
The renovated Executive Lounge, completed in 2025, showcases Tokoname ware tiles alongside several examples of Aichi’s traditional crafts.
If the design caught your attention, I highly recommend taking a trip to Tokoname, a historic pottery town located just before Chubu Centrair International Airport. Tokoname is one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, with a ceramic tradition that continues to thrive today.
One of the town’s highlights is the INAX Museums, a fascinating museum complex that includes the Tile Museum of the World, home to decorative tiles from across the globe. You can also explore historic brick kilns, exhibitions on architectural ceramics, and the history of Japan’s tile industry. If you’re interested in ceramics, architecture or design, it’s an enjoyable place to spend half a day.
After learning about Tokoname’s pottery and tile-making traditions, you’ll likely come away with a deeper appreciation of the Tokoname ware featured throughout the Executive Lounge at Hilton Nagoya.
Tokoname is around 30 minutes by Meitetsu train from Nagoya Station and conveniently located on the way to Chubu Centrair International Airport, making it an excellent stop before or after your flight.
Final Thoughts – Who Should Stay at Hilton Nagoya?
Conrad Nagoya is scheduled to open in July 2026. As the first new Hilton-family hotel in the city since Hilton Nagoya opened in 1989, its arrival has naturally attracted considerable interest.
Meanwhile, Hilton Nagoya itself has continued to evolve. Its guest rooms had been renovated by 2020, followed by the relocation and renovation of the Executive Lounge in 2025, steadily improving the overall guest experience.
The hotel is conveniently located within easy reach of Nagoya Station, with straightforward connections to Chubu Centrair International Airport. With an indoor pool and a Japanese-style public bath available to guests, it is a comfortable choice for both sightseeing and business trips.
The hotel is particularly appealing to Hilton Honors Diamond and Diamond Reserve members, as well as guests staying in Executive Rooms. If you have access, I highly recommend making time to enjoy the newly renovated Executive Lounge.
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