Keisei Hotel Miramare

Good value and comfortable. There are plenty of restaurants and 7-11 and lawson nearby, plus an anytime fitness right across the street. The hotel sits directly above the train station, and Chiba Station is about a 10-minute walk away.

The room’s cleanliness and smell made this the worst hotel stay I’ve had in Japan. I only stayed one night, so I put up with it, but I was very unhappy. The room smelled foul when I entered. I first thought it was disinfectant, then noticed the air purifier had the same odor. I reported it to the front desk. They replaced the purifier instead of moving me, but the smell was still there after my shower, so I suspect the carpet may have been unhygienic. The bedsheets were dirty, as shown in my photos. One photo shows the old purifier, and another shows the hair dryer and mouthwash cup. The cup wasn’t sealed, and the outer plastic bag looked like it had been put on by hand. The foam beds had no support and were bad for my waist. Just before bed I went to brush my teeth and found the toothpaste smelled like 84 disinfectant. That really made me angry, and I wanted to write this honest review. I also noticed afterward that the mirror faces the bed. Such a weird design. The hotel’s Google Maps rating is 4.0, so I’m unsure whether I just got the worst room.

Breakfast was good, and the bathroom looked newer and was nice. Our room was larger than at other business hotels and seemed clean, though it smelled like old carpet. The air purifier seemed to help with that. The breakfast staff were really nice and helpful. Reception were okay and willing to help, though they may not be used to dealing with many foreigners. The coin laundry is a bit of a trek to the annex if you’re in the main building. The annex looks newer, so maybe its rooms are better.

Two nights was plenty for me, and I wouldn’t stay here again. At least it was quiet at night, though there was no view. The location isn’t in the best part of town. The streets nearby have neighborhoods that feel dodgy by Japanese standards, and it’s 99% locals. I don’t mind that, but the busy streets are basically a red light district. Guys in suits keep trying to pull you into girl bars and other places. You can’t tell whether a girl is just out locally or trying to sell you something, and if you step toward them, their handlers surround you. I arrived early, so the room not being ready was fine. The front desk said my bags would be put in the room. When I came back, though, the new associate couldn’t find my booking or room. I showed my passport again while he suggested several names that weren’t mine. After 10-15 minutes and two other employees helping search, they found the room, and my bags were there. The room was small, but that didn’t bother me. It was dirty, with dust and dirt in the corners and along the edges, plus stains on peeling wallpaper. The desk chair was badly stained and wobbly, like it might break under me. The foam mattress and pillows were uncomfortable, and the WiFi never worked. The shower was chaotic too: with the very powerful shower head on, it felt like huge gusts of wind and made the bathroom a hurricane.