This is was a trip of a lifetime. Every city was different and memorable. All of our guides were knowledgeable and timely. We are not big shoppers so they were able to accommodate our extra time with additional sights. Shona, our local specialist, was able to help us adjust a train ticket within an hour and helped us navigate minor bumps during our trip.
Hotel Reviews
Overall a nice hotel. Rooms were small but that is standard in Tokyo. The breakfast was good but the sitting area could only accommodate a certain amount of people so most mornings there was a 5-15 minute wait to get in.
Authenticity & Character
They had a coffee machine and pancake machine in the lobby which was nice
Location
Near a metro and a lot of great shopping
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel was clean but bed was pretty firm.
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima-ekimae
Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima
Very new hotel. Breakfast selection was great. Very convenient to the train station and local train cars.
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful views of the mountains and the city for our room
Location
So close to the major train station with lots of food options
Hakone Hotel Kajikaso
Hakone
This hotel has potential to be a great place to stay for the right people. The onsens are great but there is no tattoos allowed so my husband could not enjoy. The rooms are outdated with peeling wall paper and old bathrooms. The dinner and breakfast was included which in theory sounds great but the menu is fixed. The food is definitely for a particular person who values presentation over taste. I would be surprised if a kid would enjoy any of the food because it is heavily raw fish.
Authenticity & Character
This is hotel is authentic. When going to meals you were encouraged to wear a yukata provided by the hotel. Beds were comfortable but room did not have properly working AC.
Location
Hotel is on the river in Hakone which is nice. Easy to get to town and right near a 7-11
Staff
The person who checked us in did not mention we were supposed to wear the yukata to each meal so we showed up in our normal street clothes which was awkward. Also, we had to cancel a dinner due to a reservation which led to multiple confusing phone calls from various staff and we even had someone enter our room despite having a do not disturb sign on the door.
Cleanliness & Comfort
AC did not function properly
Hotel was nice. They had a fitness room and a coin laundry facility. Location was good near a metro
Location
Right near a metro station
Staff
Kept rooms clean and friendly in lobby
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed was comfortable and rooms were clean.
Miyako City Osaka Hommachi
Osaka
Best hotel we stayed in while on our trip. Room was by far the biggest out of any location. Very nice lobby with a great luggage locker and coffee/drink machine.
Location
Not as close to any metro station but easy walk to main tourist spots
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable bed
Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel
Tokyo
This hotel was very basic but location could be a huge draw for some people because it is right off of shibuya crossing and near the large train station.
Authenticity & Character
Pretty basic hotel.
Location
For us the location was very loud and busy which we do not love. But some people might like how busy it is.
Staff
When checking on the computer the staff brought me to I told the staff member helping me I had paid for breakfast already. She said I did not and so I bought 2 additional breakfast vouchers. Our local guide had to call the front office and ask for a refund which they did but seems like a situation that could have been avoiding.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean but basic
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
