Hotel Liberty Matsuyama (Adult Only)

I was a little uneasy when I saw the items in the room, since I hadn’t realized I’d booked a “love” hotel. Getting locked in made me more apprehensive. Still, I had a sea view from the balcony, and the deal was a bargain: a meal for ¥220 and all you can drink for ¥500.

The room door locks behind you when you go in, so to leave you have to call the front desk. I can only guess why the owner set it up that way. As a local foreigner who was curious, I figured this might be some kind of sex hotel when I booked. It’s one of the cheapest options, with a very accommodating public transit route from the airport, and the price is unbeatable. They have smoking and non-smoking rooms, and to their credit the building has no smell at all. There’s a huge TV, a large bathing area, wifi, and basic amenities. But the bed is literally bent in the middle from so many people having sex on it, and there are visible sex toys, lube, and condoms by the head of the bed. By Japanese standards, the whole vibe feels dirty and unsanitary. I’ve seen much worse places in America and Japan, but you get what you can out of life, right? If you’re like me and willing to save a few bucks while putting up with a particularly low-maintenance hotel, go for it. You’ll save money and will probably be a bit grossed out by the environment.

This was the worst hotel I stayed at during my trip to Japan, and I absolutely don’t recommend it. During my three-night visit, the air conditioner and heater malfunctioned and stopped working in the middle of the night on two nights, leaving me cold and uncomfortable. The building also felt unattractive and unsanitary, with cracks and dust visible everywhere. My window looked straight at a wall. They offered to move me on the last day, but I had a lot of luggage and declined because moving it all would have been a hassle. I reported the heating problem in the evening, but it wasn’t handled properly at first. I woke up cold at 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM, and only after asking again for a blanket and heater did they bring them. I tried to explain the inconvenience, but the manager was rarely at the hotel. After a long wait, I could speak with him only briefly by phone. Staff could handle minor issues, but major ones required the manager, and his absence made the situation even more inconvenient.

The breakfast had Japanese and Western dishes, including delicious kamameshi, and the all-you-can-drink alcohol cost 550 yen for up to 15 drinks. Light meals and snacks were also available for extra charges at very reasonable prices. My room was clean, spacious, and comfortable, but the bath water system was broken despite the bathroom jacuzzi and toilet washlet. The heater in each room didn’t have enough capacity, so the water lacked both heat and pressure. The lighting was also too dim for an elderly person like me. Still, the stay was fine overall.