Hotel Route-Inn Niigatakencho Minami

I was very comfortable here.

The handwritten note waiting on the table was a thoughtful touch, and the whole stay turned out much better than I'd expected. For the price, it felt like good value, especially if you don't arrive with unrealistic expectations. Parking was a big reason to choose this place: there are two levels, with both covered and open air spaces, and plenty of room. Check-in was quick. The rooms are plain but tidy, with enough space to put away luggage, so we didn't keep banging our toes on hard cases like in the tiny rooms at other Japanese chain hotels. There was also good hanging space for coats. I appreciated the practical extras: hot water on demand, coin laundry, beer vending machines, an ice machine, and a free coffee machine. Breakfast was surprisingly decent, and the beds were comfortable with firm pillows. There's a public bath on the ground floor, though I didn't use it, so I can't count it as a plus or a minus. The walls and doors are thin, and I could hear early risers heading to breakfast. Road noise was faintly audible from my room but not too intrusive.

I was very happy with the breakfast buffet, both for its taste and the range of choices. The room was clean, had no particular unpleasant smell, and made for a comfortable stay. For laundry, there's a regular washer and dryer as well as a drum-style washer-dryer, which saves you from moving clothes between machines. The hotel is beside the Niigata Prefectural Government Office and has plenty of restaurants nearby, with easy access to central Niigata. The self-parking garage is multi-story. On snowy days, you can park on the first floor and avoid clearing snow off the car the next morning.

The room had a great open view, with no tall buildings close by. I was concerned by other reviews mentioning a noticeable smell, but I didn't find it bothersome at all. I was there on a weekday and used the large public bath twice, in the evening and again in the morning. It was very comfortable having it to myself. The hotel was generally clean, and the free lobby coffee was handy for a quick break. It's a little way from downtown, and there are lots of chain stores nearby, but that also made the area quieter. I drove, so the free parking was convenient. I had a comfortable stay and would like to return if I get the chance.