APA Hotel Kanazawa Katamachi

The window couldn't be opened, and there was a lot of water on its inside when we checked in and again before checkout. The room felt humid and that affected our sleep, though we stayed only one night and didn't complain. The spa was included, but it was a five-minute walk away from the hotel. Breakfast had a good range of tasty, healthy choices, though it wasn't elaborate, and the chef there was friendly and helpful. Check-in and checkout went smoothly, and they kept our bags for free after checkout until we came back to collect them. The hotel was elegant, with a small, well-equipped room.

The location was great, close to places to eat and attractions. The room, though, may have been the smallest I've ever stayed in. It was already hot when we arrived, with the outside temperature at 27C, and the broken air-conditioning meant no air came in and the room heated up fast. Reception knew it wasn't working but still put us there. They didn't seem to care and wouldn't move us to a room with working air-conditioning. They offered a portable fan or another hotel for an extra charge. Very disappointing. Opening the window gave us some relief.

The hotel recommends parking options that cost more than many alternatives nearby. I booked because parking was available and assumed it was free, since the website didn't say there was a charge. Turns out you have to pay, and I felt cheated. If you're driving, there are plenty of cheaper places to park.

There was an old cigarette smell in the elevators, hallways, and rooms once we left the lobby. They moved us to a different room, but I still ended up with a sore throat. If cigarette smoke bothers you, I'd advise staying elsewhere.