Hotel Chuo Oasis

Our twin room had a good amount of space compared with other places we've stayed, though the bed was a little hard and cleanliness was just okay. It's only a few minutes on foot from Donbutsuen-Mae staion, with a family mart right across the street. The nearby alley has Karaoke izakaya that seem mostly aimed at local people. A handy budget choice for a few days.

I was unsure about the neighborhood at first, but it turned out to be quiet enough to relax. The front desk staff were really kind, and lending me a kettle was helpful. Dobutsuen-mae Subway Station is right beside the hotel, and there's a convenience store nearby, so finding food wasn't a problem. I also didn't expect a bathtub at this price. It was a warm, pleasant stay.

I was lucky to get a notably large room, which made the value stand out. Room sizes seem to be assigned randomly, though, so others might get something much smaller. At this price, even a tiny room at an APA hotel would be hard to find. The basics in the room were enough for a short visit, and you can ask the front desk for an electric kettle since there isn't one by default. They do provide single-use plastic cups, which some budget travelers may like for hygiene. The front desk staff were polite, spoke English well, and made check-in easy. Both the metro and JR stations are a short walk away, so getting around is straightforward. Good access and value, with modest amenities and a fairly quiet location.

The room, especially the toilet, is extremely cramped. There's not even enough space to put shampoo. The price is much lower than elsewhere, which is worth keeping in mind, but if I had other options I'd book somewhere else, like nearby Hotel Pivot, which has a lot more space. Still, four stars seems fair. The location is excellent, near JR and metro lines, with several convenience stores close by.