Hotel Cycle

Only in Japan could a themed hotel so over-the-top come out feeling just right. In a place as jaded as New York or London the Hotel Cycle would land with a thud. But in Japan there’s nothing cool about cynicism — here cool means total dedication and total commitment. And Hotel Cycle is nothing if not committed to its theme.

Here, on Hiroshima’s newly redeveloped waterfront, in the Onomichi U2 mixed-use complex, you don’t even have to step off your pedals — you can ride right into this cavernous space, which includes not just the hotel but a restaurant, a bar, a café, and a bakery, as well as a Giant bike shop and a retail space dedicated to local food, clothing and housewares.

The building’s interior still retains some warehouse atmosphere, with its double-height ceiling and its elevated walkways. But the rooms temper their industrial origins with organic warmth, and they’re efficient, as you’d expect, complete with hooks for hanging your bike up out of the way.

And you’re not confined to Onomichi U2, not by a long shot. The reason this hotel is here is the Shimanami Kaido cycle path, which connects Japan’s islands of Honshu and Shikoku via six smaller islands and numerous bridges. It’s an easy ride, as these things go, and remarkably scenic — here’s hoping it’s a mode of travel that catches on.