Kobe Seishin Oriental Hotel

I stayed for two nights and slept well, thanks to a fairly comfortable bed. The room was clean, though the furniture looked dated, and the bathroom had plenty of amenities. There's a 7-11 and Family Mart nearby for late-night snacks. The basement parking was tight, but doable.

The place was arranged beautifully, and the front was decorated nicely. The food was superb, with a strong, authentic Japanese flavor.

The location is central and right by the station, and the price is reasonable. Check-in and checkout were a breeze, and the staff were friendly. It's easy to miss the hotel, just turn left out of the station and you're almost there. There are several restaurants on site and a shopping center right next door for food or anything else you might need. It has the amenities you'd expect from a hotel. It's not a business hotel, though the pricing could make it work as one. Wish I could've stayed longer.

This was a very disappointing stay, and I don't think it deserves a four-star rating. The room needs updating and even had stains on the carpet. The hotel is far from Kobe proper, despite being listed as in Kobe. It's a long train ride in, and a pricey taxi ride back if you miss the last train. The pool, gym, and other facilities are listed, but you have to pay to use them. Booking didn't make that clear, and staff gave me a story about some packages including access. I couldn't find any such package. When I asked them to show me my reservation, they tried to hide it because it didn't say anything about those amenities. For the same cost as staying at Kobe Seishin Oriental hotel, plus the extra facility charges, I could've booked somewhere better and more in Kobe. It was my wife's birthday and I was visibly upset, but staff didn't offer anything to help resolve the situation. They just said thank you. Felt like I'd been taken for a sucker. I've stayed in many places, and there are much better options. I wouldn't stay here again.