Ekimae Universalhotel

Being so close to AEON MALL made things convenient, and there’s parking downstairs. Breakfast and dinner are included, though you eat them outside the hotel. The room has plenty of space, but it feels a little dated and smells faintly musty. The service was friendly and pretty good. There’s also a hot spring, though it’s small, with room for only five or six people at once.

I booked and prepaid for one night through booking.com at about 7:30 p.m. on August 12, then arrived around 11. The front desk first insisted there was no reservation even while I showed them the booking and payment details. The two men there seemed unwilling to check and carried on with other customers’ bookings. After I asked again, one found my reservation, but said the hotel was full. They were still taking direct bookings while I waited. The younger man looked so angry that I was scared to keep talking. He said he’d see whether a room out of service because of an air conditioner problem and a broken toilet could be used. I felt uneasy and left, booked a nearby Mitsui Garden Hotel, and stayed there instead. I travel around Japan for work and stay in hotels several nights a month. This was the worst front desk service I’ve had in Japan, or in my life. I can’t recommend it.

The Japanese dinner and breakfast were nice, and the location is handy, close to Okayama station with a 7-11 around the corner. The room felt old-fashioned and the bathroom was quite small. Check-in at 4 is pretty late, and the receptionist could improve their service attitude.

The rooms are small, sure, but for this price I think it’s worth it. You’re right by Okayama station, with the Shinkansen available.