HOTEL LiVEMAX Sagamihara

I can't recommend the Livemax chain after this experience. I lost my room keycard, which is just plastic, and they wanted to charge me over 9.000,00 Yen for it. I've stayed in four other hotels in japan and asked what they'd charge if I lost my card. Every time, they said it was free. I'd never heard of a fee like this. I spent two hours arguing at reception that the charge was disproportionate. Nobody loses a card on purpose. Even after I asked repeatedly, they wouldn't let me speak to the hotel manager, and they wouldn't give me access to medication I needed from my luggage unless I paid. I felt they shamelessly exploited my situation. With corporate policies like these, I definitely can't recommend this hotel chain.

It's good value, with six floors and a location near Fuchinobe station. The staff are friendly and helpful, and speak a little English. There's a privately owned restaurant attached. Rooms have a TV, microwave, and pretty good amenities, though cleanliness is average. Each one comes with a 4G data-enabled handy smartphone for use during the stay. You can use as much data as you like while out, but it doesn't make voice calls. Recommended for locals and tourists.

We chose livemax because we wanted a microwave in the room. Most business-style hotels we've stayed in don't provide one in the room. Usually there's just one on the first floor for everyone to share. The nearest train station is about a quarter mile away on foot.

Dirty, smelly, disgusting, and poorly maintained. It felt like a hotel in Mumbai or New Delhi, and nowhere near Japanese standards. I don't know how they keep their licence.