Nagoya Grand Hotel

Even though I booked a non-smoking room, it smelled like smoke.

The station, including the Shinkansen exit, is so close, and the rooms are roomy for the price. That made it easier to accept a few quirks. The building is old, though it has been renovated reasonably well and is kept clean. I found the dim lighting gave the place an old-fashioned European hotel atmosphere, but it wasn't great for reading or working. The toilet seat was cold, and adjusting the shower took effort because you have to mix the hot and cold water yourself. The room locks automatically, with a key on a large, old-style acrylic bar attached to a chain. They proudly promote the wired internet as secure. Maybe that's meant to make up for there being no Wi-Fi, but I'm not sure what guests with only smartphones are supposed to do.

I feel safe staying here alone as a woman, and the front desk staff are consistently kind and polite. The hotel is clean throughout, so it's comfortable even though the building is old. Since I'm here for business and only need somewhere to sleep, I don't mind the age. It's close to Nagoya Station and affordable, which is why I often stay without meals. Free snacks and tea are a nice touch. They also have free Wi-Fi and chargers at the front desk. Shampoo and conditioner are sold separately, and the shampoo they provide isn't harsh. The air conditioning is centrally controlled, so I can't choose the temperature, but I can adjust the airflow.

The station is nearby, and the hotel is on a main road, which made the location feel convenient. I was very happy with the service for the price and would definitely come back. I stayed alone as a woman and had no worries. The male staff member was polite and helpful, and he dealt sincerely with the questions I'd sent ahead of time, even during peak season. I visited in December, and it wasn't very cold. The central air conditioning other guests had mentioned didn't cause me any trouble, and there were blankets in the room.