Hotel Trend Matsumoto

The beds were so stiff and unforgiving that concrete might have been more comfortable. The pillows, at least, were soft. The bathroom was disgusting, with obvious black mold in every crevice. I have photos. They even put the cups marked sanitized on the sink counter right on top of the worst patch of mold. The water was hot and the towels were clean, but that didn’t make up for it. We booked through Airbnb, and although we were told breakfast would cost an extra 600 yen, they refused to give us breakfast and then refused when we tried to pay. The only good thing was being close to Matsumoto Castle. Until these problems are dealt with, I’d avoid this "hotel" and stay somewhere else.

Every time we stepped into the hallway, there was a smell of cigarette smoke. The room was a bit larger than at other places, though the decor felt old fashioned, for example the blanket design. You can pick up amenities in the lobby.

For a solo backpacker, this stay felt like a treat and was excellent value. The location is convenient, close to the JR station, though you can hear the trains, so earplugs are a good idea. I booked through Yahoo travel and only later worked out how to book directly through the Hotel Trend website.

It was pretty easy to find, and not too far from Matsumoto station. If I remember right, it took about 7 mins to walk there. The rooms were a little bigger than in a typical business hotel.