OUCHI HOTEL Takeya

The apartment was awful: dirty, moldy and freezing, with poor insulation. The huge balcony was drafty enough that the air conditioning couldn’t make up for it. If you’re looking to get sick, this is the place. Getting in was a struggle too. The iPad check-in lagged for 20 minutes and rejected my photo. Then the combination lock broke. It was 11 PM and I was on the road, but I still had to wait 40 minutes for a repairman. He had trouble with it as well because the lock was old. Worst hotel I’ve ever stayed at.

I had to sleep with earplugs in the first-floor shared room. Streetlights came through the frosted glass door, and a gap meant I could hear outside sounds. If you need complete darkness, this room may not work for you. The towels shed so much lint that my black T-shirt came out looking almost white. The hygiene felt a little questionable. I was also put off by the coffee milk, which clearly looked like someone had rubbed it. I suppose some things come with a cheap stay, but that one bothered me.

Being able to cook made the stay feel comfortable and a bit like everyday life, since the kitchen had utensils. I was here on holiday, and the clean room’s modern loft design was another thing I liked. It was also handy being near the downtown area. I’d like to come back with family or friends.

We came with a big group of friends, and there were enough beds for everyone to relax comfortably. The rooms were very clean and clearly well looked after. Having cooking utensils meant we could put a meal together easily. I’ve stayed in plenty of places, and this has been my favorite for a large group.