Nikkey Palace Hotel

Nikkey Palace Hotel offers a stay with a Japanese flavour in Liberdade, the neighbourhood most closely associated with São Paulo's Japanese community. The hotel describes itself as close to Liberdade metro station and suitable for both business and leisure travellers, and it makes a good-value base for exploring the district and the historic centre.

The Japanese touches are the main reason to choose it. The Standard rooms have either a bathtub or an ofurô, a deep Japanese soaking tub, and the Suíte Master also includes an ofurô, while the Suíte Premium is the top category. The hotel's restaurant is presented as an excellent option for Japanese cooking in the area, and the spa offers beauty treatments, a sauna and massages, a welcome way to unwind after a long day of walking. Breakfast is included in the room rate, which helps keep costs down.

The surroundings add to the experience. Liberdade is marked by a nine-metre red torii gate on Rua Galvão Bueno, in place since 1974, and every weekend thousands of people visit the craft fair on Praça da Liberdade. On Sundays and holidays several nearby streets close to cars under the city's Ruas Abertas programme. The Historical Museum of Japanese Immigration in Brazil is also in the district, and the Capela dos Aflitos recalls Liberdade's older history. Japão-Liberdade station on Metro Line 1 (Blue) connects the area with the rest of the metro network, so much of the city is reachable without a car.

The hotel suits travellers interested in Japanese culture, budget-conscious couples and families, and business visitors who want a practical base with easy metro access. Those wanting design-led luxury will be better served by the hotels of Jardins, but for many visitors the location and the ofurô are attraction enough.

The hotel's website lists its accommodation and services but not its street address, so confirm the address and the room type when booking. The hotel can be contacted by WhatsApp on +55 11 3540 0712. Staff can advise on the restaurant and spa. If an ofurô matters to you, check that your chosen room has one rather than a standard bathtub.