La Gare Oita

The room fittings were old, the bathtub felt rough, and the air conditioner was covered in mold. On the plus side, even during peak season the price was very reasonable, especially with the simple breakfast included. The staff were really friendly, and humidifiers and other amenities were available in the lobby.

Parking was 660 yen at the front desk. There's a height limit, and although there are plenty of spaces, the access road is narrow and rough. Be very careful there at dusk or after dark. My experience was around 30-40 points compared with other business hotels nearby. If all you care about is location and price, and safety, cleanliness, service, and a comfortable place to stay don't matter to you, it could work. The rooms seem like one-room apartments from 20-30 years ago that were converted without renovation. There was a persistent, unfamiliar middle-aged-man smell, especially near the head of the bed. After about three hours I got used to it and noticed it less. The toilet seat didn't seem properly cleaned, just given a very minimal clean. The low window had only one old crescent-shaped lock. There's no partition from the next room, so leaving the window open to air the room could make it easy for someone on the neighboring balcony to get in. Take care, especially if you hear someone on the balcony or feel uneasy about your neighbors. When I came back from an outing, I was given the wrong key, for room 607 when my room was 605. The staff hadn't noticed the mix-up. I reported it right away, and they exchanged the key promptly according to their procedure. The key they'd given me couldn't open the room, so an employee got the master key using the usual process. Still, guests need patience and trust in the staff to avoid feeling anxious about that kind of situation. Since someone might have entered the room while you're out, it's safer to keep valuables with you or leave them in your car when going out to eat.

No particular problems for the price, though it isn't luxurious. The bathroom and toilet are separate, and the bathroom is surprisingly roomy. It's a good fit for a short stay. I just wish the table were a bit bigger.

I stay here regularly when I'm in Oita. It's close to the station, and the main draw for me is that I can walk to Miyakomachi, the downtown area. Breakfast is free, and while the facilities are old, they feel worth the price. There's manga by the front desk if you need something to pass the time. The rooms have unit baths rather than a hot spring, but I use drop-in baths anyway, so that's fine. The covered parking on the first floor is handy when it rains, though it costs another 600 yen. The reception staff are gentle and easy to talk to. A lot of rooms are smoking rooms, so I borrow one of the air purifiers they keep at the front desk every time I stay. I'll keep coming back as a regular in Oita.