【Ascott 40th Anniversary x GM Interview】Oakwood Suites Yokohama x Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto,GMs of East and West Oakwood talk about the appeal of each area and facility
The Ascott Limited (“Ascott”), a hotel group with more than 950 properties in 220 cities worldwide.
Each of the facilities in Japan developed by the global hospitality brand, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, can be applied to a variety of usage patterns and boasts strong popularity among HafH neighbors. We were able to interview the two general managers of Oakwood Suites Yokohama and Oakwood Kyoto Oike.
Here we introduce the charms of the respective areas of Yokohama and Kyoto, as well as their recommendations for spending time at the facilities.
Careers of Oakwood’s General Managers
—First of all, could you tell us again about your backgrounds? You both speak Japanese very fluently.
▲ Todd Snell, Residence Manager
Born in Perth, Australia.
He was appointed Residence Manager of Oakwood Suites Yokohama in July 2023.
▲ Renaud Tsorba General Manager
Born in France.
In September 2022, he was appointed General Manager of Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto.
Mr. Todd Snell (“Todd”)：
I have spent 34 years in Japan, including short periods of study and working holidays in Japan. I started my career at a travel agency. There I learned Japanese language and business etiquette in Japan.
After working for a travel agency and hotel, I was involved in sales and marketing in the restaurant industry while working on the Corona Disaster. However, just as inbound travelers were returning to Japan, a new hotel opened in Yokohama, which I have lived in for over 20 years and can say is my second home, and I returned to the hotel industry to serve as the general manager.
Mr. Renaud Tsorba (“Renaud”)：
I was born in France (in the northern suburbs of Paris) and have spent about 20 years in Japan. My interest in Japanese literature and cinema led me to study Japanese at university, and in 2005 I started my working career at the French Consulate in Tokyo.
In September 2022, I joined Oakwood Kyoto Oike as General Manager.
Attractions of each area as perceived by Oakwood’s general manager
—It has been a while since you arrived as general manager, but now that you have actually lived in each of the areas as well, what do you find attractive about them?
Renaud：
I am sure that there are other cities in the world with a history older than Kyoto, but I believe that there is no other city in the world with buildings and towns that are several hundred years old that still exist on this scale.
In terms of valuing old traditions and history, Kyoto has something in common with France, where cities such as Paris are located, and I feel very much at home there.
I also think it is an attractive city as a tourist destination because of the compactness of its attractive tourist spots.
Although there are many areas with many people due to over-tourism in recent years, there are also many quiet areas away from the center, such as the Oike area where Oakwood Kyoto Oike is located, and Fukui and Shiga with their beautiful seas are only two hours away, making it an easy area for families to live.
Todd：
Yokohama is an urban area, but it has a different feel from Tokyo. Some people may feel the atmosphere of the seaside area as if it were overseas.
I myself have lived in Yokohama for a long time. My impression of Yokohama is that I really feel a sense of overall unity. I would love to support local businesses as well, so we give Yokohama sweets as a welcome kit to our guests and they are very well received.” It’s similar to HafH’s “Home away from Home.
It is also similar to HafH’s “Home away Home”.
—— You each have a deep connection and attachment to the area as well. Do you have any usage trends that are unique to the area?
Todd：
Since there are many companies in the neighborhood, the area is also used by many corporate clients. Many are from the U.S., followed by those from Japan. Although most of the visitors are from Japan for leisure, there is a Chinatown nearby, so many visitors visit their relatives during Chinese New Year.
The 46th floor, where the lobby is located, is open to the public except at night, and boasts a 360-degree view of the city.
Renaud：
Since it is also a world-class tourist city, the inbound ratio is as high as approximately 80%, and we have guests from various countries, mainly from Asia, but also from the U.S., Germany, Australia, and other countries.
As the neighborhood is dotted with famous tourist spots, we of course recommend using the hotel as a base for sightseeing, but we also encourage our guests to visit the many interesting stores in the area, such as old antique stores and furniture stores. The hotel has also prepared a recommended MAP of the surrounding area.
Although many of our guests are tourists, we are also in the central business area of Kyoto, so the number of business guests is gradually increasing.
▲ Coworking space at Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto with power outlets and free Wi-Fi for workcationers.
▲The 46th floor entrance of Oakwood Suites Yokohama is open to the public as an observation deck, offering a 360-degree view.
Features of the facility catering to a wide range of uses, from short stays to long stays
—— I understand that there is also a room type called serviced apartments in the establishment. To begin with, what kind of accommodations does the Ascott Oakwood brand offer?
Todd：
It was just two years ago that the current Ascott Group and Oakwood brands crossed paths. Serviced apartments are fully equipped facilities for long-term stays, and both people recognize Ascott as “Ascott” when it comes to serviced apartments and people recognize Oakwood as “Oakwood.
Oakwood Suites Yokohama is a very comfortable place to live, not only because it is fully furnished, but also because all rooms have kitchens and laundry facilities.
Since the hotel and residences are located on the 46th floor and above, some guests say that even a short-term stay at the hotel is like living in a tower apartment.
Renaud：
Oakwood is unique in that it offers serviced apartments with full kitchens.
Oakwood Kyoto Oike is a little unique among Oakwood properties in that out of the 120 rooms, 104 are standard or superior hotel rooms and the remaining 16 are studio apartments with full kitchens.
This makes it attractive for a wide range of uses, from a short stay of one or two days to a long stay of one week or one month.
▲ Oakwood Suites Yokohama, 1 bedroom suite kitchen facilities
▲ Superior rooms at the Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto are recommended for a wide range of uses, including sightseeing and business.
Experience the Oakwood lifestyle by HafH
—— Finally, what would you recommend for a stay with HafH? Also, if you have any expectations or suggestions for HafH’s services, we would love to hear them.
Todd：
Yokohama has many aspects to offer, so I would recommend staying at a hotel as if you were living there and taking a relaxing walk outside. You can walk along the seaside from Yamashita Park to Minato Mirai like the locals do, save up your HafH coins and stay overnight, and if you like it again, stay longer next time.
—— It is good to repeat your stay at HafH for different lengths of time because we accumulate coins and use them continuously.
Renaud：
The percentage of freelancers in the U.S. is increasing every year, and I believe this trend will spread worldwide in the future. Our hotel can be used as a hybrid for both tourism and business, and I think such a hotel and HafH are very compatible. We would like our hotel to be used for a wide range of purposes, not only as a place to stay, but also as an additional place to enjoy dining and working.
—— More and more, the distance between working and traveling is also getting closer. I hope that HafH’s neighbors will experience the charm of a hotel that is more than just a place to stay. Thank you very much for your time today.
Oakwood Suites Yokohama
5-57-2 Kitanaka-dori, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa
1400-1950 coins
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Oakwood hotel Oike Kyoto
165-1 Moriyama-cho, Tominokoji-dori Oike-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
700-800 coins
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