Hotel Ascent Hamamatsu

It’s fairly close to the station, and while I could hear some sound through the walls, it wasn’t too noisy. My main concern was the key return box. If you step out for food, leaving your key there feels very insecure. Someone could easily come across the accessible box and take a key. When we arrived, reception staff were often in the back room and didn’t seem to notice people coming and going. One guy walked straight past the desk and could have reached the key box without anyone seeing. I’m not convinced anyone was watching the CCTV, either. This really needs a security check.

The room was spacious enough for two large suitcases left open, it’s a short walk from the station, and the staff were polite. Those were the good parts. I wouldn’t recommend the hotel, though. The sheet had a hair on it, although it looked pressed, so I can only assume it had been washed and a strand was dropped by housekeeping. There was no hand soap, just the usual shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. The toilet light was so dim it felt like a horror film, and the main room light wouldn’t turn on in the morning. Renovation work outside also meant loud drilling from 10 a.m. The lobby sofa cushion looked sunken and felt itchy against my skin. The TV was so old it didn’t even have an HDMI port.

For 9900¥, my friend and I got a non-smoking twin room for one night, with breakfast included. It was clean and cute, the staff were friendly and always ready to help, and the station is only 300 metres away. The breakfast was excellent, too. Really good value.

I only stayed one night, but the room was quite large and comfortable. The bathroom was average in both style and size. The window wouldn’t open, though there was an air conditioner to adjust the temperature. Slippers, pajamas, a toothbrush, comb, and fridge were provided. The hotel is right by Hamamatsu Station. It takes about two minutes to walk from the lobby to the shinkansen entrance.