APA Hotel Nagoya Sakae Kita

The breakfast buffet was terrific, probably the best I’ve had at APA Hotels so far, and the sentou / spa facilities were very nice. Check-in and checkout were quick and easy, with friendly staff nearby to help with the automated process if needed. The rooms are tiny: basically a bed, a small table, very little space between them, and a toilet. There are only a few elevators and no stairs, so getting down can take a while when the upper floors and elevators are busy, especially around checkout. It’s not a great choice if you plan to spend lots of time in the hotel, but works well if you’re out all day and just need somewhere to crash at night.

We had a terrible experience arriving in heavy nonstop rain with a toddler. The parking lot was far from the hotel, and Agoda App hadn’t stated that distance. It did mention designated parking, but not how far away it was. We checked in at 5 pm and asked if there was any way to help get our bags from the car into the hotel, since moving everything at once in the rain wasn’t possible for us. The manager said there was nothing they could do, explained the parking details, and told us we should have read the booking information properly. They said that was the only service they could offer. That was awful customer service. We understand it’s a business hotel and we’re not VIPs, but I felt the management showed no empathy, even with small children involved. I don’t think they care about guests arriving safely. As long as you pay and have a booking, that seems to be all the service they’ll give, with no extra effort for customers having a hard time.

The onsen water was too hot, and the changing room was cramped. Half the lockers had no keys or couldn’t be used. In the room, there was a lot of dust, and the mattress was uneven. It seemed no one sleeps on the side by the window, so it should be turned to wear more evenly.

A small business hotel. Two good friends might manage in one room, but otherwise I’d get two separate rooms. They change and clean the mattress and room after three days. There’s a public bath and spa, a big TV, towels, a shaving kit, and almost everything you need.