Mizusawa Sun Palace Hotel

The in-room fridge was handy, with separate refrigerator and freezer compartments instead of the usual little one-door unit. There’s parking for a fee, and lots of restaurants nearby. The location right in front of the station makes the price really reasonable. The facilities are quite old, which I can understand at this price, but the room is so dark it’s starting to bother my eyes. I’d like brighter indirect lighting. My eyesight is definitely getting worse. And yes, the room really is that dim.

I stayed about five days, and the front desk staff changed a lot, around three different people each day. The middle-aged man I encountered was extremely polite and efficient at setting up and cleaning up breakfast, which I appreciated. But the woman the next day and the young man the day after were awful. They seemed annoyed and barely greeted me. The quality of service really varies.

It’s an old hotel. The air conditioning was comfortable, though, and I slept well. There was a TV and an electric kettle, plus shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and a hair dryer in the bathroom. You can get things like a razor, toothbrush set, and rolling pin at the front desk, but there were no cups. The refrigerator was there, but I had to move it to reach the outlet. I’d give the place a 2.

The rooms are clean enough to be comfortable, and if you only need somewhere to sleep, staying a few nights should be fine. The multi-level parking garage directly behind the building is old and no longer operating, so you’ll have to park in the separate dedicated lot.