Japan hotels provide a special fusion of comfort, friendliness, and cultural immersion. Japanese hotels offer a range of choices to suit different tastes and price points, including traditional inns, luxury lodging, and inexpensive hotels.
Omotenashi: A distinguishing feature of the hotel experience is the graciousness, or omotenashi, of the Japanese people. Employees are very courteous and helpful, and they frequently go above and above to make sure visitors have a good day. This could be a note-worthy welcome, help with your bags, or thoughtful extras like slippers and yukata (casual robes) in your room.
Hotel Room Size: In general, Japanese hotels are not as large as those in the West, particularly in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Even though the rooms are small, they are tidy, clean, and furnished with contemporary conveniences like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and frequently a small refrigerator.
Traditional Inns: Staying in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, can provide an immersive cultural experience. Tatami mat flooring, futon beds, and sliding paper doors are characteristics of ryokan rooms that provide an insight into traditional Japanese living. In addition to offering access to onsen (hot springs), many ryokan also provide multi-course kaiseki dinners that highlight seasonal Japanese cuisine.
Convenience and Location: Japanese hotels are frequently found in close proximity to train stations, providing quick access to the city’s main attractions and sightseeing. Furthermore, business hotels provide effective and reasonably priced lodging together with basic amenities like vending machines and laundry rooms.
One of the biggest and most well-known hotel chains in Japan, the APA Hotel Group primarily caters to business and leisure travelers with luxurious and convenient accommodations. APA, which was established in 1971 and stands for “Always Pleasant Amenities,” symbolizes the company’s dedication to giving visitors a comfortable and effective experience. We like this moto, but we as we are writing this blog and the experience we had at three different of their hotels we feel it is mandatory to tell you how we felt about our experience and how comfortable we were.
APA Hotels are spread out around the country, although they are most noticeable in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Due to its wide network, the company has become a convenient option for many tourists looking for dependable lodging in different parts of the nation, but again this is why we are writing this article to let you know our experience.
Rooms that are Compact and Efficient: APA Hotels are renowned for their rooms that are both compact and efficient, built to maximize space without compromising comfort. Modern conveniences like refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms are frequently found in rooms. The layout is simple, yet there are thoughtful extras like yukata, or casual robes, and slippers for visitors. We were expecting the rooms in Japan to be small and although we stayed at different hotels while in this beautiful country, we found APA rooms to be too small and if you are with two people there is not enough space.
Affordability: Both domestic and foreign guests favor APA Hotels because they strike a balance between price and quality. The business frequently offers affordable prices, especially to customers who make reservations in advance or stay for several nights. This is what the hotel chain says, but we have found cheaper options for both business and casual tourists.
Eco-Friendly Initiatives: APA Hotels are renowned for their eco-friendly policies, which include providing energy-efficient appliances in rooms and urging visitors to reuse towels. Unfortunately, on two different occasions asked for new towels with it being a huge issue even though they were dirty and stayed for over two nights.
In conclusion, accommodation in Japan offers convenience, comfort, and the opportunity to enjoy the well-known hospitality of the country. However, we have found the APA Hotel Group to have central hotels at very basic levels, but with their strict check-in policy of 3pm and small rooms with bad customer service we feel there are different options you should look at. In this article, we will give you some feedback on three different hotels we stayed at in Kyoto and Osaka.
If you would like to know What to Do and See in Japan click here go to our post where you will receive the best information and some of our recommendations.
APA Hotel Namba-Eki Higashi in Osaka
In the center of Osaka, travelers looking for convenient lodging frequently choose the APA Hotel Namba-Eki Higashi. This hotel is centrally located to explore the city’s dynamic nightlife, commercial districts, and cultural attractions because it is situated in the bustling Namba district.
Excellent Location: Namba Station, one of Osaka’s main transportation hubs, is only a short stroll from the hotel, making it simple to get to other parts of the city and beyond. Famous locations like Dotonbori, known for its neon lights, street food, and entertainment options, and Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, a shopping haven, are also easily accessible by foot from this prominent location.
Contemporary Amenities: Similar to other APA hotels, Namba-Eki Higashi offers small but functional rooms that are intended to be both efficient and comfortable. Free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, a flat-screen TV with on-demand movies, and a private bathroom with a deep soaking tub and shower are amenities included in each room. The hotel also places a strong emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness, offering top-notch bedding and air conditioning in every room.
Dining & amenities: The hotel features an on-site restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet that features a variety of Western and Japanese dishes to suit a wide range of palates. In addition, there are lots of restaurants around that serve both international and traditional Japanese food for visitors to enjoy. The hotel also has vending machines, laundry facilities, and a front desk staffed around-the-clock to help with any needs you may have while here.
Accessible and Reasonably Priced: The APA Hotel Namba-Eki Higashi is renowned for providing excellent value for money, with reasonable rates that attract to both visitors and business travelers. Whether you are visiting Osaka for a short trip or a longer stay, its location and amenities provide a handy base for exploring the city.
All things considered, the APA Hotel Namba-Eki Higashi could be an option for anyone wishing to see the finest of Osaka because it blends a great location with contemporary amenities. However, we found the staff in this hotel not friendly and also as mentioned previously this hotel should change their check-in policy. They have the rooms ready to be checked in, but they make people wait in the lobby until exactly 3pm to check-in. This creates anxiety and many people upset considering the staff tell them directly that the rooms are ready, but they cannot check them in. We understand you may have a 3pm check-in time, but if the rooms are ready then check your guests in early. This will make them happy and also will encourage them to book with your hotel again.
APA HOTEL KYOTO EKIMAE CHUOGUCHI in Kyoto
In the center of Kyoto, the APA Hotel Kyoto Ekimae Chuoguchi is a place to stay if you’re looking for affordability, convenience, but small rooms. This hotel provides quick access to the city’s main attractions, such as temples, shrines, and traditional neighborhoods, and is only a short stroll from Kyoto Station.
Excellent Location: The hotel is perfectly situated for seeing Kyoto and the surrounding areas because it is close to Kyoto Station, one of Japan’s main transit hubs. By train or bus, visitors can quickly go to well-known locations including the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine. There are a ton of shopping and dining options in the vicinity of the station, offering anything from foreign food to traditional Kyoto cuisine.
Modern and Compact Rooms: The APA Hotel Kyoto Ekimae Chuoguchi offers modern facilities in well-designed, compact rooms that are similar in size to other hotels in the APA brand. Every room has a refrigerator, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a cozy bed with fine linens, and an attached bathroom with a large soaking tub. With a compact size and all the amenities a tourist may want for a comfortable stay, the rooms are designed to maximize space.
Services & Amenities for Guests: To improve the stay of its guests, the hotel provides several amenities such as a round-the-clock front desk, luggage storage, and laundry facilities. To ensure a fulfilling start to the day, the hotel also offers a breakfast buffet featuring a variety of Japanese and Western dishes.
Reasonably priced: The APA Hotel Kyoto Ekimae Chuoguchi has a reputation for providing good value. It is a great option for both business and leisure travelers because to its affordable prices, convenient location, and cozy lodging, but we say extremely small rooms.
In conclusion, the APA Hotel Kyoto Ekimae Chuoguchi is a desirable choice for anyone traveling to Kyoto since it combines cost, a prime location, and modern comfort. Whether you’re visiting Kyoto for business, sightseeing, or just to take in the vibrant culture, this hotel offers a comfortable and convenient starting point for your trip.
APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita in Kyoto
Travelers looking for a convenient location in the center of Kyoto that also offers modern conveniences and comforts often choose the APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita. This hotel is located close to Kyoto Station and provides quick access to the most well-known sights, retail districts, and public transportation in the city.
Strategic Location: The hotel’s location makes it an easy place to explore Kyoto and its surrounds because it is only a short stroll from Kyoto Station. The APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita offers a convenient base for exploring popular destinations such as the tranquil Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, the landmark Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the historic Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Easy access to local and Shinkansen (bullet train) lines is another benefit of the station’s close vicinity, facilitating day visits to neighboring towns like Osaka or Nara hassle-free.
Well-Appointed Rooms: The APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita has very small, however well-equipped rooms, similar to other APA hotels. Modern conveniences including a refrigerator, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom with a large soaking tub are available to guests. The rooms are efficiently constructed to maximize space and guarantee a relaxing and enjoyable stay. The comfort level is increased by air purification equipment and premium bedding.
Services for Guests: To improve the stay of its guests, the hotel provides a number of amenities, such as a front desk manned around-the-clock, luggage storage, and laundry facilities. There’s a breakfast buffet with a variety of Western and Japanese foods to suit different palates.
Accessible and Inexpensive: The APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita is a popular choice for both leisure and business travelers due to its affordable prices. A popular choice for visitors to Kyoto, it offers pleasant rooms, a prime location, and affordability.
In conclusion, the APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita is in a prime location, and has contemporary amenities and a good Japanese breakfast. However, we had a very hard time checking into this hotel and had to wait for nearly two hours. We had booked our accommodation through Agoda, but the hotel said they had the confirmation come through from Expedia. We showed them the booking confirmation from Agoda, but it didn’t matter and they made us wait for no reason. We asked if the room was ready and they said yes, but they still refused to check us in. We asked to speak to the manager or supervisor on duty, but they said no and they were not available. We do not recommend this hotel just because of the small rooms and the incredibly bad experience checking into the hotel.
