Hotel Ark Business

It was fine.

I was woken several times by snoring and coughing from the next room, and the thin walls made it hard to sleep. The Wi-Fi was weak, so Zoom meetings on my computer were unreliable and unusable. The non-smoking room smelled like cheap air freshener. There was no place to hang a face towel in the unit bath, no room cleaning during a multi-night stay beyond towel replacement, and no pajamas. Loungewear cost an extra 300 yen, and the synthetic T-shirt and shorts advertised as functional were a turnoff. Regular hotels use more skin-friendly fabrics like cotton. There was also a sign offering a free snack if you left a 5-star rating, which felt like an inappropriate way to encourage reviews and profiteer. On the plus side, the front desk staff were friendly and made a good impression. The lobby had a decent selection of free drinks and snacks, the room was clean and well maintained, and the parking lot was spacious. In the morning, you can see the station from the main road, so the walk back is easy. But it’s far from the station, the streets are dark and a bit unsettling at night, and there aren’t any convenience stores nearby. The facilities feel old and cheap, with plywood furniture, faded lobby chair backs, and bedside lamps like the cheap ones at Daiso. Friday-to-Saturday stays in Mito seem to average around ¥15,000 for two nights. For that price and these amenities, I honestly thought it was a bit overpriced and would have preferred a similarly priced place closer to the station. The poor soundproofing really affected my sleep. If you’re driving, don’t mind the amenities, and have quiet neighbors, it might be okay.

I chose this place because I wanted somewhere easy to get my car in and out, and I liked the exterior. In front of the lobby there’s a relaxation space with all-you-can-eat soft drinks and snacks. You can also get draft beer at the inn for an extra charge. As a man, I found the amenities more than I needed, and I appreciated the mouthwash. I was very satisfied with my business stay, though people used to luxury hotels may feel differently.

I stayed for a business trip and found the atmosphere homey. The optional welcome beer was a nice bonus. The building isn’t new, but the renovated rooms feel stylish. I liked the soft, double-layer toilet paper, though the cleaning could have been more thorough. When I turned over the cushions, there was a lot of dust. Still, I think it’s perfectly fine for business use.