The Apartment Hotels YAMA

The price stayed reasonable even during the busy Snow Festival, and the place had more of a private-lodging feel than a business hotel. We were there on the festival’s last day, close to the Odori site, and with just two rooms in the building it was quiet; we seemed to be the only guests. The spacious room had a kitchen and washing machine. We didn’t eat meals there, but Odori and Susukino were easy to reach by subway. For breakfast we picked up bakery bread nearby and toasted it with cheese, which worked out fine. There’s also a 24-hour parking lot across the street for 1,600 yen.

The apartment is near Maruyama Koen Station and has no parking. Check-in and checkout are handled on a tablet, with no staff on site. We stayed three nights; towels for all three days were provided, but nobody came to clean during the stay. It was clean and well equipped: a double bed, bunk bed, single sofa bed, four-seat dining table, separate bath and toilet, plus a washer with detergent but no dryer. The kitchen had cookware, an IH stove, kettle, and microwave. The toaster was there too, though quite dirty. Nearby are convenience stores, a 24-hour supermarket, and plenty of restaurants. The main drawback was the thin wooden partition walls, covered with wallpaper and paint, which let sound through. Fortunately, the people next door were considerate during our three nights, so we weren’t disturbed at bedtime. We stayed for the Jingu Festival, and the location was convenient enough. Overall, I was satisfied.

The noise from next door was the one real downside. We stayed three nights and could clearly hear lively voices and the TV late into the night. I assume they heard us too, and it was a bit of a nuisance. It wasn’t that the neighbors were especially loud, though people can get more animated after a few drinks. You can even hear a baby crying next door, so keep that in mind if you want a quiet stay. Otherwise, it worked well for traveling with children: a Japanese-style room with futons already laid out, separate bath and toilet, and an in-room washer with dryer. You leave shoes at the shared entrance and go up to the second floor. The station is close, there are lots of supermarkets around, and it was nice getting a feel for life in Maruyama. Maruyama Zoo is nearby too, just a short taxi ride away. Before we came, I asked the hotel about soundproofing. They said they hadn’t had noise complaints from guests and didn’t expect a problem. From my experience, I’d recommend it to solo travelers or anyone who doesn’t mind hearing a bit of life next door.

The staff were quick to respond whenever something came up, which I really appreciated. There’s a subway station close by and a convenience store nearby, so getting around and picking things up was easy. The apartment hotel was clean and had plenty of amenities. The complimentary coffee beans and bread were especially tasty. It made for a nice break from everyday life.