Where to Stay, Ling? – Types of Japan Lodging

 

Economy / Business Hotels – Price per person averages from JPY6,000 to JPY16,000 per night

The cheapest type of hotels found in large numbers across Japan and often located near train stations. The main clientele is the Japanese Salarymen who travel across country for work. These Economy / Business Hotels are also popular with tourists on a budget.

Under this category, it can be further split into 2 groups – budget and non-budget. Budget Economy / Business hotels are simpler set ups and rooms are tinier. Non-budget Business Hotels have nicer decoration and facilities and may throw in freebies such as drinks or snacks.

These hotels come with basic facilities such as drinks/instant noodle vending machines, coin operated laundry facilities and sometimes a shared microwave for heating up takeaways. Some Business Hotels provide pajamas and simple breakfast. While some have hot bath facilities, though it may only be for males.

Rooms are Western style with a small desk area and ensuite unit bath. It can be a tight fit if you have lots of luggage. The rooms are usually equipped with a kettle, free teabags and sometimes an attached hair dryer.

Some Business Hotel chains provide membership benefits where members get special rate and chalking up a specific number of stays may get you a free night stay If you are planning to visit Japan frequently, such memberships can be useful.

These are a few of the popular Business Hotel chains: Toyoko Inn / Dormy Inn / Hotel MyStay / Hotel 1-2-3 / Smile Hotel / Super Hotel / Daiwa Ryonet Hotels / APA Hotels

Ling! When I travel alone, Business Hotel is my choice of stay. I’m out most of the time and just needed a clean and safe place to stay. The cost savings can be spend on nicer meals. If I’m with a friend, we’d stay at Business Hotels in more expensive locations or on a weekend. If with family, it’ll be the higher end Business Hotels.

Some hotels offer twin beds in the same size rooms at double or slightly more than the price of a single person’s room. In such cases, I’d just book 2 rooms and we get double the space, 2 bathrooms and some time off from each other (*LOL*).

What I like:

• • Cheap and friendly to the pocket
  • Great for single traveller
  • No frills and meets my basic needs of having a clean place to stay since I’m out sightseeing most of the time
  • If there’s need for a nicer bigger room, just go for the higher end Business Hotel
  • There’s usually a coin laundry available
  • Most of them also allow you to leave your luggage with them before or after you check out

What I don’t like:

• Some rooms can be really tiny and the only place to open up the luggage is at the doorway outside the bathroom
• Easy to get bruises from knocking into furniture
• Can be a tight squeeze for 2

Payment: Upfront when you’re checking in

 

ApartHotels / Service Apartments – Price per room averages from JPY5,000 to JPY20,000 per night

ApartHotels are basically apartments consisting of the bedroom area, small kitchenette with laundry facilities and ensuite bathroom and toilet. These lodgings are getting popular with tourists as you can cook simple meals and do laundry in the comfort of your own room. Some places charge for utensils and cutlery. The newer ones have bathrooms that function as clothes dryer too.

Service Apartments are similar but are usually on the higher price end. Oakwood and Citadines fall under this category.

Ling! I find these great for when you have longer stays as you explore around the area. I would even do laundry every night and it’s dry by the morning. Suitable for both single and group travellers. Especially for family with small kids as you have an area to prepare food for the kids and wash their countless change of clothes.

What I like:

• Being able to make meals and do laundry
• Good size refrigerator to keep food and drinks
• Microwave for heating food
• Bathroom functions as a clothes dryer
• Cost effective for longer stays

What I don’t like:

• Cooking smells permeating into the bedroom area
• No proper dining table
• Eating meals on bed

Payment: Upfront when you’re checking in or at booking time

 

Premium Hotels – Price per room averages from JPY10,000 to JPY26,000 per night

This is a good class of hotels to stay if you want a nicer hotel but not willing to pay too much for it.

Hotels under this category have more premium feel compared to Business Hotels, but their prices are lower than Luxury Hotels. Rooms are Western style with ensuite bathroom and bigger than Business Hotel rooms. In some locations, the rooms are big enough to include a sitting area. Most have coin operated laundry services on site and a café offering breakfast.

These chains are Premium range – Hotel MyStay Premier Hotels / Hotel Vista / Prince Hotels / JR Blossoms Hotels / Keikyu EX Hotels

Ling! When I travel with family, this is often the category I’d go with as I want some comfort for them. There’s more room for luggage and the room facilities are nicer. With my niece and nephew growing up and needing their own beds, these Premium Hotels help keep the budget manageable. With friends who don’t like tiny rooms and bathrooms, I would also go with this category of hotels, but not when I’m travelling alone.

If you plan your itinerary carefully, you can even score a nice big room for 2 in a tourist city for JPY8,000-10,000 (S$100-130) on weekdays.

What I like:

• Bigger room and bathroom
• Nicer and newer amenities compared to Business Hotels
• Pocket friendly compared to Luxurious Hotels
• Good space for 2 pax with luggage

What I don’t like:

• Nothing much

Payment: When you’re checking out

Next: Luxury Hotels / Ryokans / Onsen Hotels

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