Business Hotel Amakusa

For the price, this was the cheapest hotel I’d stayed at recently, and it suited what I needed: a bath, sleep, and a convenient spot. I was glad the savings could go toward my stay at Shimoda Onsen the next day. I booked about a month ahead for a no-meal stay, arriving after 8 PM on Sunday, August 14th, during Obon. I wanted somewhere nearby and found a twin room with bath and toilet for under 7,000 yen. Having the bento shop "Hirai" across the road for dinner helped make my choice. I took Route 266 (Amakusa Pearl Line) over Oyano Island. Just past the intersection by the 7-Eleven Kamiamakusa Oyano Naka store, there was a large parking lot on the right, though the sign was hard to see at night. The building at the lot was the two-story new wing, but nobody was there. I followed the hallway marked "Front Passage" to the main building and the reception desk, checked in and paid, then went back to the new wing with my key and luggage. There’s no elevator. I’d booked a smoking room but was given a non-smoking room on the second floor, so I asked reception to switch it. The smoking room on the first floor only had single futons, which they set up while I went out to dinner. At Obento no Hirai, I wanted a beer but was told drinking wasn’t allowed in the eat-in area. I bought one at the convenience store corner inside the shop after eating and had it after my bath. The main building, where reception is, seemed to have a lot of large rooms and was busy with families and groups. There was a washing machine but I couldn’t find a dryer. It’s a single-story prefabricated building, so I thought sounds from neighboring rooms might carry more than in the new wing. The new wing had a vending machine with beer. My room was a little bigger than a typical business hotel room. The wallpaper had been replaced and the room felt clean; the bath and toilet also seemed newly renovated. It had an air purifier, fridge, water heater, TV, and air conditioner, and the windows opened. There was no Wi-Fi in the room, so I had to go out to the parking lot to send an email. The bed by the window seemed worn, perhaps because twin rooms are often used by single guests. Its springs were tired and creaked when I turned over, which was annoying. I made do for breakfast with yogurt and bread I’d bought at Hirai Bento the night before. I expected thin walls and floors because the building seemed cheaply made for the price. No one seemed to be upstairs, but I could hear the TV next door a little. It didn’t bother me once I’d fallen asleep.

We found this inn when looking for an affordable, clean place to stay with our baby, and the room was spacious and tidy, just as the reviews had said, so we could relax there during our May 2018 visit! The bath and toilet in the room were clean too, and the fluffy futon helped me sleep soundly! They even offer to lay it out if you check in late, which was ahelp after aeday sightseeing! For food, there’s aHirai bento shop right across the road and aplace next door that might be arestaurant, so staying without meals works fine! The mascot dog was adorable too! Maybe it was Golden Week, but traffic heading from Amakusa toward Kumamoto City was heavy on the way back, probably because there’s only one road! It might be better to stay here, then pick up souvenirs at Resort Terrace Amakusa the next morning before going home! One thing Iforgot: the accommodation plan mentioned afree glass of beer, but nobody brought it up! Was Isupposed to ask for one myself? (lol)

We found this inn when looking for an affordable, clean place to stay with our baby, and the room was spacious and tidy, just as the reviews had said, so we could relax there during our May 2018 visit! The bath and toilet in the room were clean too, and the fluffy futon helped me sleep soundly! They even offer to lay it out if you check in late, which was a help after a day sightseeing. For food, there’s a Hirai bento shop right across the road and a place next door that might be a restaurant, so staying without meals works fine. The mascot dog was adorable too! Maybe it was Golden Week, but traffic heading from Amakusa toward Kumamoto City was heavy on the way back, probably because there’s only one road. It might be better to stay here, then pick up souvenirs at Resort Terrace Amakusa the next morning before going home. One thing I forgot: the accommodation plan mentioned a free glass of beer, but nobody brought it up. Was I supposed to ask for one myself? (lol)

For what it costs, this is a perfectly reasonable place to sleep! We only needed an overnight spot, and although nobody was at reception, a key with our name was waiting, so we took it and went to the room! It was Japanese-style, with tatami laid over a wooden floor, but there was no table, which made eating awkward! I guess that’s understandable when four people need to sleep there! The toilet and bathroom were separate, and the bathroom was roomy enough for a relaxing soak! We left the key at reception when we checked out!