Hotel Areaone Tokai

“Perfectly fine and comfortable”

This hotel is perfectly fine. Yes the rooms are small but they are comfortable and clean. I didn't expect luxury for the price we paid, so it suited the expectation. It seemed to be recently painted and looked fresh. The doorways are very short, just be careful not to bump your head! But this adds … Plus

This hotel is perfectly fine. Yes the rooms are small but they are comfortable and clean. I didn't expect luxury for the price we paid, so it suited the expectation. It seemed to be recently painted and looked fresh. The doorways are very short, just be careful not to bump your head! But this adds to the charm. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Also the breakfast was fine. It mainly had Japanese options, but this is to be expected in Japan! There is a Family Mart convenience store very close by and restaurants within walking distance. I'd stay here again.

Moins

“Friendly staff; so-so property”

The Tokai Royal might be the only Western-style hotel in Tokai-mura, the site of one of Japan's premier nuclear power and particle physics research labs, as well as a uranium reprocessing plant. It is, in any event, one of the few choices for a Western visitor to the nuclear complex. It's moderat… Plus

The Tokai Royal might be the only Western-style hotel in Tokai-mura, the site of one of Japan's premier nuclear power and particle physics research labs, as well as a uranium reprocessing plant. It is, in any event, one of the few choices for a Western visitor to the nuclear complex. It's moderately priced with average-sized, for Japan, rooms which are showing their age rather severely. Lots of things like the bed spreads are beyond their useful life, and a simple paint job in the rooms plus replacing the old carpet would work wonders. The elevators need a spruce-up too. And the "guillotine" doors need to be re-timed. Be careful entering the cab, as the doors only stay open on their own for a few seconds. The first thing that strikes the American or European visitor walking to his room is the doors. They are short; an average sized person will fear for his head. But this is part of the structure of the building and not fixable. Decide it's "charm" and live with it. Be sure to take a picture. Changing the small old TV for something built this century would be a good idea; so would adding a couple of European language cable channels. The hotel has two buildings: a high rise that is featured in their advertising, and a motel-like low rise to the back. We were in the high rise, and I've no idea what the other building is like. The hotel serves meals, but only Japanese style. This includes breakfast. Adding a Western breakfast would be an enormous help to the American or European traveler. Otherwise the trick is to use the coffee/tea maker in the room and to buy rolls and such at one of the many convenience stores in the neighborhood. Free wireless internet, but only in the lobby. No access from the rooms at all. A large stuffed polar bear in the entry way adds a certain flavor to the whole enterprise. I'm not sure why he's there, but he seems tame enough these days. Finally, the staff is wonderful. They speak little English, but are willing to help in every way. They changed what could have been a depressing place into one that overall we rate very pleasant despite issues of architecture and age.

Moins