At first Muji Hotel, in Shenzhen, minimalism tops convenience

First impressions? From the window of our taxi we saw the big Muji logo shining in the distance; a beacon drawing us to the crowds thronging the pavement outside, selfie-sticks waving above their heads. Standing outside the entrance were large flower arrangements with good luck messages from neighbours and business partners, the hotel having opened just two days earlier.

What’s it like inside? The lobby was a hive of activity, too, every square inch being committed to smartphone memory card. If you’re familiar with the Japanese retailer, you might be able to imagine the interior; the stylish minimalism in natural materials is typical Muji. The staff speak good English, the welcome was warm and Irish banjo music streamed from speakers. The hotel’s 79 rooms are spread over six floors and integrated with a restaurant and a massive Muji store. The library on the third floor has books on, of course, interior design and architecture.

And the guest rooms? The minimalist vibe continues here, with simple wooden furniture, quirky artwork and pleasing little design objects. The slippers are thick and soft (and you can take them home), and guests who insist on well-hosed nether regions will be pleased to find Japanese-style automatic toilets.

So why has Muji moved into the hotel business? The brand already sells everything from beds and night lights to toothbrushes and pyjamas, and runs cafes and bakeries, so perhaps it was only a matter of time before it would open a hotel. And why in Shenzhen? “Why not,” said deputy hotel manager Joe Guan.

Any drawbacks? Behind the perfect exterior, the hotel feels a little empty, and fails with some details. In the shower, water alternated between scalding hot and freezing cold – and reaching for the tap revealed that it was coming loose. On several occasions, all the lights in our room suddenly went out and the automatic curtains drew themselves closed; finding the switches was not easy in the pitch dark. Incompre­hensibly, a locked glass door blocks the passage between lobby and lobby bar.