President Hotel Mito

Breakfast was a real highlight, with lots of choices and different dishes each morning, while the famous Ibaraki natto was always there. The restaurant staff were also incredibly kind and respectful. Everything was clean, the staff were so nice, and I loved the place. There’s a great view, and having a conbini nearby made it easy to pick up a late-night snack or drink.

The room felt spacious for the price, especially for Japan, and the hotel was very affordable. It’s close to Mito station, with a 7 eleven just across the road. Simple, fuss-free place with friendly staff. I’d stay again if I’m in the area.

It’s a convenient five-minute walk to Mito Station, and a 7-11 sits right across from the entrance for picking up odds and ends. Kairakuen park takes about 20-30 minutes on foot, but the walk follows scenic Senba Lake, which makes the distance pleasant. The hotel is a little south of the station and good value for this price range. The rooms are quite large for Japan, staff are professional and friendly, and while the views aren’t much, I didn’t have much to complain about. My room had two desks and chairs, both comfortable for working. The furnishings are simple and tasteful, with warm yellow lighting and a bedside lamp whose brightness you can adjust. There’s an air purifier, and you can open the window for fresh air. The air conditioning responds well to temperature changes. The bathroom is a good size, with responsive hot water and an easy one-knob temperature control for the tub. Three hangers are in a small nook with a rail. Towels and pajamas are provided, but most small bathroom items need to be picked up in the lobby near the front desk. Breakfast is on the 12th floor. The buffet is good, with a compact but sufficient selection. If you pay for breakfast at check-in, you get tickets for each morning, which you hand in at the venue. Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is by 11:00. Room cleaning follows a standard system using magnetic strips you place on your door, either “do not disturb” or “make up room.” Cleaning is expected between about 11:00 and 14:00, though it may start a little earlier.

The first night was awful. They had no non-smoking rooms available, and ours smelled horribly of an ashtray. The smell wouldn’t go away, and the hallways were smoky too. As a non-smoker, I can’t describe how bad it was. The wallpaper in our room was peeling as well. The next night they managed to move us to a non-smoking room, which was 1000% better and looked nicer. I wonder if the smoke is what ruins the wallpaper.