Directory_and_Chronicle_1900 — Page 511

WRIGHT'S HOTEL,

No. 40, YOKOHAMA.

HIS first-class new Hotel is situated in such a way that, being only a few steps from the landing pier-locally called the English Hatoba-it is in the immediate neighbourhood of the Consulates of England, the United States, Russia, etc., of the Post and Telegraphic Office and only a few minutes' ride from the Railway Station; in fact, it is the most centrally located Hotel in Yokohama. For religious visitors the American Unitarian Union Church is right op posite, so that even care is taken of their spiritual welfare. The building is a four story one, built three years ago by the proprietor himself and after his own plans. It is practically fire- proof, being constructed of stone and iron principally, and partly lighted by electricity and partly by gas.

The entire establishment is under the able and direct supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Wright, who, having been for a long time in the Hotel business, know well how to make their guests comfortable. The building contains twenty-one well-furnished bed-rooms, and excellently situated drawing, reading and sitting rooms. Each floor has its own well-appointed bath-rooms and lavatories, and the entire Hotel is well lighted and ventilated.

The views to be obtained from the windows of Wright's Hotel are the finest in the city. On one side you overlook the entire harbour, with the many steamers and sailing ships continually going and coming, a picture reminding one of the great trade centres of England or America. While across the bay one can see the railway trains run along the shore on their way to the Old Yedo, the present Tokyo, the large capital of the Empire. On the other side, the visitor's eye falls on the beautiful picture of the eternally snow-covered peak of Japan's holy mountain, the Fujiyama spark- ling in the morning sun or being coloured in all the colours of the rainbow by the rays of the sink- ing sun of the evening. Mr. Wright, the sole proprietor of the Hotel, is one of the oldest residents of Japan. He was formerly, in days of Sir Harry Parks, connected with the British Legation in Tokyo, and can tell many an interesting story of the stirring times, when Japan was first opened up to foreign trade. He is pronounced to be an authority in all matters affecting the rights and privileges of visitors to Japan, and his thorough knowledge of the country and its people makes his advice invaluable to the tourist anxious to see the beauties of Japan. It is therefore not to be astonished at that he, like his Hotel, is one of the most popular of the foreign residents of Yokohama.

The tariff of Wright's Hotel is the most reasonable in Japan and ranges from yen 3:50 to yen 4.50 per diem, while special and still cheaper rates are given to visitors, who stay there for longer periods of say a month or so. In making the charges, the genial proprietor is always aiming at meeting the visitors half way, and by no means is the table or the rooms affected by the cheap rate. At this Hotel you will find the class of persons who have travalled in Japan more than once, and have found out the best and cheapest. No matter whether a visitor comes in season, which lasts from April to September, or out of season, the prices are always the same, and no advantage is taken of the crowded state of hotels in the treaty port, to screw prices up to a higher pitch, and for this reason, as well, as its many other advantages, Wright's Hotel is one of the most popular resorts of the settlement. A large billiard and bar room is attached to the Hotel, and it owns the only bowling alley in Yokohama outside of the English and the German Clubs, to which, of course, strangers have no access.

Its cellar is stocked with a variety and quality of wines, which compare well with those of any hotel in the world, and the table is everything that can be desired by even the most blasé gourmand.

The hotel has also a steam launch meeting all mail steamers, and the genial and capable captain of this smart little craft, which is one of the fastest in Yokohama harbour, running over 12 knots per hour, will take it upon himself to pass the visitors' baggage through the Customs, thereby saving them a good deal of annoyance and trouble.

CAPÈRIOR