What to do with thick staff in Japanese hotel bathroom

The new Mercure Ginya Hotel in Tokyo may have all mod cons, but it also has some old-fashioned Lost in Translation signs.

Peter Hook, Asia Pacific general manager - communication for the Accor hotel group, reports one in particular in his bathroom at the hotel.

Here's what it said, with his comments in brackets.

"Don't lean on the mirror, and throw the thick staff to it." (Where's Basil Fawlty when you need him to demonstrate this with Manuel under his arm?)

"It is necessary to be mind in the unit-bathroom because it is so slippery." (If you slip, you probably will lose your mind.)

"It is important to use a shower and faucet after making sure of the temperature." (I'm just not sure where you stick the faucet.)

Added Hook: "This is a French-branded hotel with a French general manager in the heart of Tokyo's Ginza, so with the French and Japanese influences, translations to English were always going to be interesting."

The hotel opened on October 1 and has been 82 per cent full, but he said only one person has questioned the meaning of the sign: an Australian.

"He came down to reception to ask how many thick staff members had been thrown at the bathroom mirror to justify the warning," Hook said.

The sarcasm was lost on the receptionists, but the general manager checked and the hotel now is unsure whether to remove the sign or leave it as a Lost in Translation experience-tour.

Hook says the hotel is a good deal cheaper than the Park Hyatt, site of the hit Bill Murray movie of that name.

The Mercure Ginya, one block from the Ginza's shops and restaurants, has an opening nightly rate of $215 until the end of next month.

- NZPA