Today, I'm starting the first of my series re: travelling in Japan. Being a developed nation, Japan has a near-overwhelming number of options re: travel accommodation. Choices range from luxurious high-end Ryokan ("Japanese Inn", many with their own onsen) to established big-name hotels to independent short-stay business hotels to simple dorm-style hostels. In addition, you may also find local families who have set up home-stays with their own specialties/quirks as a business, and even the unique Japanese invention of "capsule hotels" designed specifically for bare minimum emergency/overnight use.
Hotels
My policy/protocol in choosing a travel accommodation in Japan revolve around 3 words:
1) Comfort - privacy, noise level, laundry/parking facilities, internet access, check-in/-out times
2) Affordability - is it within my travel budget, whilst still not compromise on basic comforts?
3) Accessibility - public transport options, nearby eateries, convenience stores, sightseeing spots
As such, I naturally incline towards the short-stay business hotels though I may also choose conventional hotels if there are online offers making them affordable. Business hotels are specifically set up to meet the needs of "travelling" business people and/or international visitors who are out for most of the day. They offer basic comforts, are generally more affordable than conventional hotels, and are also located in proximity to local businesses, eateries, and sightseeing spots. Just be aware: if you're visiting Japan during local peak travel seasons, business hotels tend to get booked up very fast!
Here are my photos (and ratings out of 10) of the various hotels I've stayed in so far:
1) Almont Hotel Kyoto (Kyoto) - opened only in Dec 2012, classy and comfortable. It's rated C10, AF9, AC8 (note: there was an online offer for this hotel making it very affordable).
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2) Asakusa Vista Hotel (Tokyo) - old and smelly, a low-end hotel. It's rated C2, AF9, AC7 (note: I was put in a smoking room due to a lack of non-smoking rooms).
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3) Hotel Chuo Oasis (Osaka) - tiny room/toilet but quiet surrounds. It's rated C4, AF10, AC8.
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4) Hotel Horidome Villa (Tokyo) - my first ever hotel in Japan, comfortable but requires a bit of walking to a JR train station. It's rated C8, AF10, AC6 (note: I've been back twice, hence the different rooms).
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5) Hotel MyStays Asakusabashi - comfortable, affordable and highly accessible, my dream business hotel. It's rated C10, AF10, AC10.
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6) Hotel Nihonbashi Villa - nice hotel in quiet place but you need to go outdoors to do your laundry. It's rated C7, AF9, AC7.
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7) Shinjuku Washington Prince Hotel - fairly high-end comfort but you need a good walk to a JR train station. It's rated C9, AF7, AC6 (note: it sometimes do online offers, making it more affordable).
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8) Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel - beautiful night views, comfortable, and very close to JR train station. It's rated C10, AF7, AC10.
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