Kochi Sakura Hotel

The staff member at reception was genuinely helpful and pleasant. That was the bright spot in a stay that felt cramped from start to finish. The room windows didn’t open, and although there’s a ventilation fan, air didn’t seem to circulate well. I had a mild asthma attack during the night, so I wouldn’t suggest it for people with breathing problems or smokers who need good ventilation. It didn’t seem dusty, just poorly ventilated. Finding the place was tricky. It’s tucked on a side street behind Hotel Los Inn Kochi, and the sign is hard to spot from the main road, so use a phone map. My one-night, no-meal stay with parking cost ¥5,550, which felt steep for such a run-down place. I thought it should be closer to ¥3,000. Everything was very tight, including the parking area, where a kei car definitely has the advantage. I’d worry about a careless driver parking beside me. The layout inside was awkward too. A guest coming out of the neighboring room nearly bumped into me as I checked in, and the door was so close that I could have hit my elbow. The toilet was squeezed into such a narrow gap that I could barely bend down. Only rinse-in shampoo and body soap were supplied, and the shampoo left my hair squeaky, so bring your own.

The building looks like a love hotel from outside, but inside it has the feel of an old-style business hotel. I paid 3,400 yen through Rakuten, without breakfast. The facilities are dated, though fine if all you need is somewhere to sleep. My phone reception was awful; the Wi-Fi helped a little, but it still wasn’t comfortable to use. There’s a supermarket very close by, and rental bikes are available, so you could leave your bags and shop around the station. Parking includes about two spaces right under the hotel and a few more a couple of doors away. The man at reception was very helpful and seemed like a really nice person.

The staff were friendly, and the Wi-Fi worked reasonably well, though I imagine it could slow down when the hotel is busy. I didn’t try breakfast. The location is decent, in front of the station and around a ten-minute walk from downtown. I stayed several nights, and there was no hot water from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The room felt shabby and dirty, but the price was fair. The bathroom was cracked and unclean, even though the toilet itself was new and clean. There’s a 10 p.m. curfew, which seems early. You can use the emergency exit to get out, but it’s inconvenient. Reception appears to be shared with another hotel, so it’s often unmanned. I’d only recommend staying here if you’re mainly after a cheap place.

The front desk pointed us to a restaurant that was unbelievably good, so thanks for that. They take cash only, though. It’s fairly cheap and close to the station, with free bicycle rentals and a nice manga selection at reception. The room had a cigarette smell as soon as I walked in, and the air from the AC was musty.