Kaijoo

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 66 bedrooms
CLOSED ANNUALLY: Open all year round

THE STORY: In late 2018, the urban hotel chain HappyCulture Collection got their hands on an old hotel right near the Petite France neighborhood of Strasbourg, and turned it into a “meeting space,” or a kaijoo in Japanese. Designed by architect Valérie Garcia of the Kristian Gavoille agency (the MOB hotels in Lyon and Saint-Ouen were done by them as well), the space on the ground floor has various different ambiances, with a foosball table near the entrance, a lively coffee shop and wonderfully customizable seminary rooms. And upstairs? There are 66 bedrooms, most of which can accommodate groups (up to 7 guests) with red and blue tones, blonde wooden furniture, dim lighting and, in the biggest ones, partitioned-off beds, which feel like Japanese pods. Double rooms starting at €89 a night.

TOILETRIES: Fair CosmEthics body wash, hand soap and body lotion, the HappyCulture house brand.
INTERNET: Wifi (free).
BREAKFAST: There’s a sweet and savory buffet (€14), with breads (gluten-free versions available), viennoiseries, jams, yogurts, compote, fresh fruit and fruit salad, cheeses, charcuterie, scrambled eggs and a vegan corner.
MINI-BAR: No, but there are soft drinks, local wines and a good local Storig beer available in the café.
LITTLE LUXURY: Enjoying something on the carefully curated cultural agenda, without having to leave the hotel: concerts, book signings, art shows, conferences…