APA Hotel Chiba Ekimae

The twin room had plenty of space, an actual closet, and a reasonably clean bathroom stocked with the usual amenities. But the decor was a lot to take in: houndstooth furniture on houndstooth carpet, a mini chandelier over the bed, and loads of big mirrors. (What was Fumiko Montoya-san thinking?) Breakfast was 1,600 yen if bought in advance, or 1,800 yen on the day. There was a decent spread of Japanese food and a fair number of Western options. Our 14th-floor shower shifted between hot and warm without warning, though it never became intolerable. The hotel is about five minutes from Chiba Station's North Exit, away from the main shops, restaurants, and bars. A convenience store is two minutes away for essentials. Check-in was smooth through the self-service machine. Foreign visitors should have their passport ready. If you haven't used any extra services, APA's Express Checkout is quick: just drop the key cards into the feeder. Since both check-in and checkout were through the machine, it's hard to say much about the service.