THE DORF as a guest of Christina Tahoces from Hotel Nikko

The Hotel Nikko is located in the heart of the Japanese quarter and offers ideal accommodation for a stay in Düsseldorf as well as rooms for meetings, workshops and seminars. For international business travelers, the Nikko is the first port of call in the city. The hotel belongs to a Japanese hotel chain and is extremely popular not only with the Japanese community, but also far beyond the vibrant Immermannstrasse.

Due to its central location in Little Tokyo, the hotel accommodates weekend tourists and families who stay just a snap away from Düsseldorf's sights and places of interest. One of the city's best sushi addresses, by the way, is right inside the hotel. The Benkay Restaurant has been the culinary heart of the Nikko Düsseldorf for four decades. With a mixture of authentic Japanese and German culinary traditions, the teppanyaki restaurant spoils its guests, including a sushi and cocktail bar in the foyer. Another special feature is the sky spa area with penthouse pool for relaxing above the rooftops of Düsseldorf. Christina Tahoces, Director of Convention Sales, gives us an insight into her work, the special features of the hotel and tells us how the entire Nikko crew embodies German-Japanese friendship.

The facts:

• Hotel Nikko at Immermannstraße 41, Düsseldorf city center
• Our interlocutor: Christina Tahoces
• Director of Convention Sales

Christina, describe your daily work routine - what are your tasks?

I don't really have a normal daily routine. Every day is different, and that's what makes my work so exciting. My main task is to plan events in our conference rooms with our customers. These can be large meetings, workshops or Christmas parties, weddings and other celebrations. I advise on the planning, take care of the contracts, coordinate menus with the chef and simply make sure, together with my colleagues, that the event runs smoothly and that the guests leave us delighted.

How would you describe your typical hotel guest?

We are a very international hotel and our guests are very diverse. Many business travelers come to us. Due to our affiliation with a Japanese hotel chain, there are also many Japanese. Therefore, we also have some Japanese employees, especially at the reception and in the restaurant.

At the weekends we are mainly visited by tourists who want to have a nice weekend in Düsseldorf and use our house as a starting point.

What is special about your house?

Our Teppanyaki restaurant is a highlight, here the guests sit directly at a grill plate and are cooked live. There are several courses of Japanese specialties with appropriate wine accompaniment, I can really recommend! Also, the spa is very special, it is located on the 10th and 11th floor and offers a great view of the whole city.

What else makes your hotel stand out?

We combine our Japanese origins and tradition with modern Düsseldorf. You can see that in many little things. For example, we offer Japanese food and drinks at our bar, but you can also get an Altbier here. And the cooperation between the colleagues is special; people from many different nations work here and it works wonderfully. We have often laughed together in the office when the Japanese and German colleagues translate and explain proverbs and typical expressions to each other.

Why can guests feel safe with you especially in Corona times?

We all take great care to ensure that both guests and employees feel comfortable and safe with us. Our restaurants and meeting rooms have their own hygiene concept, which our employees strictly follow. We have marked walkways, distance markings on the floor, disinfectant is available and the rooms are specially disinfected. Our employees also have to test themselves twice a week to reduce the risk of infection, and very many have already been vaccinated.

What does the future hold?

I think many hoteliers and restaurateurs would like a concrete answer to this question, the past 1.5 years have not been easy for everyone. We just hope that the positive trend continues, that we welcome many guests and that we can continue to do what we all love so much: Being hosts. We are especially missing our Japanese guests at the moment, hopefully they will be able to join us regularly again next year. 

What would you recommend to someone staying in Düsseldorf for a day and a night? 

I definitely recommend a tour through the Japanese quarter with its many small stores, supermarkets and restaurants. Of course, you also have to see the famous Düsseldorf Old Town, and along the Rhine it is wonderful to walk to the Media Harbor, which is definitely a flagship of the city with its special buildings. And in the evening you have the choice of sipping a cocktail on the banks of the Rhine or plunging into Düsseldorf's nightlife!

Typical Düsseldorf for you?

The Rhine, the Kö and the Alt!

What is your favorite place in Düsseldorf?

My favorite place is the city hall square, especially when the Christmas market is going on.

What is your favorite moment in the village?

The annual fireworks on Japan Day are great, they really give you goosebumps!

Düsseldorf in three words:

Lively, colorful, cozy.

Why should readers come to you for the new THE DORF THE MAG?

Because they can make themselves comfortable on our Tokyo Plaza with a coffee and browse through it. And afterwards they can go on a discovery tour through the city, because we are right in the middle of the action!

If you are now in the mood for a short vacation in Düsseldorf, then you can find the right hotel package here.

About THE CHECK IN:

Amidst the joy of the reopening of the hotel industry, THE DORF and Düsseldorf Tourism present an intimate and personal insight behind the facades of Düsseldorf's hotels with the interview series THE CHECK-IN. In addition to many stories and individual design concepts, you will also find the current THE DORF THE MAG No. 4 at all participating addresses, which lovingly tells about the city with exciting stories about art and culture, gastro secret tips and an eye for local heroes. The focus of THE CHECK-IN is on the faces that passionately ensure unforgettable stays and good times in the village. But even in times of crisis, the protagonists* continue to guarantee optimism, a special feel-good atmosphere and security at the hotel. Their love for Düsseldorf and passion for hospitality motivate the interview partners every day to take the city and its diversity out into the world. In addition to their personal insider tips, they reveal in the interview why THE DORF THE MAG is the perfect companion for a hotel vacation in the most beautiful city on the Rhine.

So let's go! The hosts of the Düsseldorf hotels are already waiting for you. Get yourself a THE DORF THE MAG, enjoy a little hotel lobby flair and you're ready for a perfect summer in the village. 

(c) THE DORF 2021
Interview + Text: Franka Büddicker
Photos: Kristof Puller