Hotel Aisul Matsuyama

I came back for another two nights. This time the radio worked fine and there was no cigarette smell. The staff were especially helpful when I needed to get lost luggage back. Well done to them. On my earlier stay, I noticed an old tobacco smell and the radio wasn't working. The staff were friendly and helpful then too, and breakfast was very good.

The location worked really well for me. Restaurants and the train station are close, with two shopping centres and a large entertainment building nearby. For what I paid, the hotel could exceed your expectations. I had a single room for 5,900 Yen. It smelled clean, and the bed linen was comfortable and clean; the robe was comfortable too. There was a large window facing the street, with blackout curtains, and the carpet and walls looked clean with no visible wear. I was offered a smoking or nonsmoking room and chose nonsmoking, so it seems there really are designated nonsmoking rooms at the time of this review. The bathroom was small but manageable for one person, even at 6’2. It got steamy despite the fan, but the water pressure was good and the temperature changed quickly when I adjusted it. The toilet had the usual Japanese features. The room had at least four Japanese power points but no USB ports. There was a TV with free channels and premium channels you could buy. Breakfast cost an extra 1,300 Yen. It was fine and convenient to eat at the hotel, with plenty of healthy choices and a machine making espresso from freshly ground beans. On the 9th floor there was a coin laundry, a drinks vending machine with cold beer at a fair price, and an ice machine. The foyer looked fresh and clean, and there was a pillow area where you could choose from four types. Toiletries, coffee and tea were complimentary there. The front desk was staffed until at least 10:30pm, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I came back from a night out at 10:30pm and it was still staffed. There are two elevators, and I never had to wait.

Getting to the main station takes just a few minutes on foot, which is handy for onward trips or the airport. The free Wi-Fi was good too. The centralized air conditioning left the room a bit warm, but I could open a gap in the window and let in fresh air, which sorted it out. The hotel is definitely old and due for an update. Still, the rate was reasonable for a spacious 20 sqm room, instead of the usual 15 or less, and mine was clean with everything working. The bed was comfortable and I got a non-smoking room on the 10th floor. I saw some negative reviews, but my experience this trip was really not that bad. Make sure to book a non-smoking rook on a third-party website.

The breakfast choices may feel limited if you're after a Western continental breakfast. If Japanese options are fine for you, it should be okay. During our stay the service was great, and the room was much better than I'd expected for the price. I may be too used to Tokyo prices. Sunroute is right behind the station, a good base for a day or two in Matsuyama. It's hard to find a better mix of price, location and service.