Smile Hotel Nara

A system error from their own website portal caused an accidental double booking, and the bill came to 63,000 yen for one night in a value room. The manager onsite still insisted we pay it. We eventually got the amount down to 10k yen, but we were tired from travelling and just paid. It was still egregious service and treatment. The staff were nice but clearly bewildered about how it had happened, and they wouldn’t compromise on finding a remedy. The room was tiny and hot, though the shower was nice. We have another stay with Smile in Hiroshima that I’d cancel if the time limit hadn’t passed. Avoid at all costs unless you have no other options.

The mattress felt like concrete, and the pillow had the texture of a bag of rice. I’ve slept on the floor before, but somehow this was still more uncomfortable. In my 27 years, it was by far the worst sleep I’ve ever had. I’ll be reading reviews more often after this, because I don’t want to pay for another hotel and end up with conditions like sleeping on concrete. When I asked reception for extra sheets to add layers to the mattress, the only option they offered was bath towels. If you’re visiting Nara, I’d look for a hotel that gives guests more than a slab of concrete to sleep on. AVOID BOOKING!!!

The room was very small, though budget-friendly, and customer service was good. I did feel the staff could have been more flexible. In the morning, I asked if I could get a coffee and they simply said “NO,” which made me uncomfortable. The location is convenient, just a 2-3 minute walk from Nara Station, with parking available for 800 yen per night. Nara Park and other famous attractions are easy to reach. But cleanliness needs more attention: there was a lot of dust in the air conditioner and an unpleasant smell from the bathtub and wash basin. I also think the box of brushes near the elevator shouldn’t be visible to customers.

The staff were nice and helpful, but the room itself wasn’t a pleasant stay. We were drawn in by the price and the location near the station, but it wasn’t worth it. The beds and pillows were hard and uncomfortable, there was a heavy cigarette smell in the rooms and hallways despite the non-smoking policy, and there was mold in the bathroom. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel.