RichmondHotel NagasakiShianbashi

The location may suit you or may not, depending on your taste. It sits at the edge of a nightlife district with lots of drinking spots and Japanese girls bar, where guests have drinks with women staff. It’s still Japan, and I’ve never felt less safe there than anywhere else, despite what some reviews say. Rooms are simple but a good size for a typical hotel, and larger than Japanese business hotels. There’s no public bath, though the lobby has three kinds of bath salts for guests to take for free. The individually packed drip coffee is good quality too. Service is quick and straightforward, with payment and checkout handled at self-service machines.

We asked for a non-smoking room, but were given one that smelled strongly of smoke. The hotel said it was fully booked.

The old-fashioned tub barely drained after I showered, and the water sat there for about five minutes. The sink and bathroom also looked like they were from the 1980s. We had asked for a non-smoking room, but ours reeked of smoke. My kids couldn't stand it, and when we asked to move, the staff said no rooms were available and they couldn't change the reservation. We were stuck there for a few nights because we weren't allowed to cancel. At night, the area felt uncomfortable for my family. It's in the middle of a borderline red-light district, with bars for girls and lots of drunk people once the clubs and bars open, including right across the street. During the day, you can walk to historical places, and if you're on a budget and want nightlife, the location might suit you. That's just my opinion, but I'd rather spend my money somewhere else. I usually don't fuss much about hotels, and I should've looked into the area more before booking because the price was so much lower than other places nearby. I blame myself for choosing it, but I hope this helps someone else avoid the same mistake. Check the address and make sure the area feels safe for you and your family. I would give this hotel a negative star if I could. If you want a comfortable, safe trip with your family, avoid it at all costs.

The room was large and the service was good, but the Wi-Fi kept dropping out. It was kind of expensive.