Hotel Tomato

A nice place, and well equipped.

I picked a room without researching first because I was trying to spend as little as possible. I was in Kure for business and didn’t expect extras, but the price feels high for what a room-only stay includes. There are amenities, a hair dryer in the wardrobe, cups, and an electric kettle. I didn’t need the hair dryer, and the cups didn’t seem usable, which was disappointing. My pajamas were tattered, too. The oversized windows let in outside noise so clearly that, on the second floor, I thought they were open. The coated floors may be easy to clean, but they felt cold and didn’t give the room a clean feel. There’s plenty of space, which could suit a longer stay with lots of belongings, though I think it might feel tiring on a business trip.

The bed was soft and comfortable, and with the building being entirely non-smoking I found the stay pleasant. There was some noise outside, but almost no traffic on the roads, so nights were quiet. The front desk is staffed only during the day. I let them know I’d arrive late and left my luggage there, and they brought it up to my room. One issue: the outlet at the dressing table had such weak power that I could barely charge my mobile battery. I should’ve used the wall socket by the pillow.

There’s a coin laundry just half a minute away on foot, and the place gives you 24-hour access, which is handy if you’re using it as a weekly apartment. The receptionist spoke fluent Japanese and seemed to be doing their best to offer good service. Still, the room amenities were sparse, without even a spoon for the mug. Given how far it is from both the ferry terminal and the train station, the price felt a little steep.