Hotel Solae

It had been a long time since my last stay, and I used to remember this as a nice hotel with clean rooms and delicious breakfast, though I think it had a different name then. It’s handy if you’re driving, with free parking, but the nearby convenience store and the Lawson that used to be a short walk away are gone. For food, there’s a ramen shop a little way off, plus takoyaki, an izakaya, and an udon shop that closes early. If you’re a business traveler trying to save money, I’d drive to a nearby supermarket. The rooms are pretty much what you’d expect for the price. This time, though, I’ve decided I won’t stay here again. The bathroom sink water smelled musty and made me feel sick. When I took a sip while brushing my teeth, the odor filled my mouth. I’d bought soup for breakfast, but I’m sure I’d have felt ill making it with that water. I also had to wash my face with it, and smelled musty all day. Are they checking the water tank? The smell was so strong I worried there could be mold or foreign objects in it. Then I noticed dust buildup on the electric kettle spout. I appreciate the low cost, but after that lack of cleanliness I definitely don’t want to return. Also, there are no vending machines for beer or other alcohol in the hotel.

It’s an affordable, older hotel that’s fine for a short stay, and the parking lot is spacious. The convenience store that used to be there is gone, as is the nearby Lawson, so not having a convenience store around is a drawback. The takoyaki and soba places nearby seem popular. There’s also a supermarket and Kura Sushi within a 10-minute walk.

I’ve stayed here several times before, but this visit was so disappointing that I won’t come back. At check-in I waited about five minutes while the staff member was on the phone. Once that call ended, they began helping a vendor who had arrived later, then made eye contact with me and started another phone call, leaving me waiting again. They apologized when the second call was over, but I can’t understand why a call took priority over the customer standing there. If phone support matters more than the person at the desk, they should set up automated check-in and focus on calls.

The bed shifts when you lie down hard, and I thought the toilet paper holder attached to the door was an unusual idea. For the price, the value is good. The wallpaper is peeling and there’s mold, as others have mentioned, but I found the room clean enough. You can hear people talking in the hallway in rooms at this price, so I sleep with earplugs.