Sendai Hotel Renaissance

The room had several insects flying around. I thought one or two might be understandable, but there were enough to make me wonder whether anything had been done to control them. The food was disappointing too. The soba was so mushy it seemed to have been boiled and served straight from the pot. I’d eaten at another restaurant in the same group before and the food there was always delicious, so I’d expected too much.

We stayed three nights on our Japan trip, using this love hotel much like a regular hotel. The huge bed and nice bathtub were good, and there’s a water fountain in the room. The staff were impressively attentive. There’s no washing machine, so when I asked about laundry, they offered to wash it for free. I left it by the door and found it washed and folded in the same spot the next morning. The room price and layout were also positives, and we didn’t hear bothersome noise from other rooms. The insulation doesn’t block outside sounds, though, and the neighboring gas station was audible. At first, I was surprised by how discreet the hotel was. You don’t see the receptionist, who is behind a sign. It’s very private, and a good fit if you’re comfortable with the love hotel concept. Over the three days, I had about as many positive impressions as negative ones. The dust was a real downside: the place looked clean on the surface, but there was lots behind furniture and on the mattress. They put a futon on the mattress, and it seemed never to be washed. The atmosphere was a little peculiar, though we knew what we’d signed up for. The hotel is at the end of the subway line, about a 15-minute walk away. For tourists, I’d suggest staying closer to Sendai Station. If the idea of a love hotel makes you uncomfortable, this probably isn’t the place for you.

We came to Sendai for three days and two nights, timing the trip with my child’s holiday. With the city full of events and concerts over the long weekend, hotel prices had shot up, some room-only rates were three times the usual price. We only needed somewhere to bathe and sleep, but it was getting expensive. Since we were two adults and a child in upper elementary school, a business hotel limited to two guests wouldn’t work. I even looked at places in Yamagata before finding this hotel. It didn’t show up in Google Maps’ hotel search at first. I checked repeatedly, and then it suddenly appeared, with a low price and rooms still available. A◯da and overseas booking sites often showed the cheapest rates, but I’d heard of lots of problems with them in recent years. I wanted to avoid those sites and book directly if possible, so I used the hotel’s website. It’s a love hotel, but it’s regulated under the Inns and Hotels Act, so children can stay. Kids up to 12 are free when sharing a bed. I booked two weeks ahead. Regular love hotels come under the Adult Entertainment and Amusement Business Act and don’t allow anyone under 18. We had to move check-in two hours later because our beef tongue restaurant reservation ran late, then ended up finishing dinner early and asked if we could come sooner. They were happy to accommodate us. We were in a C-rank room. The bed was big enough for three, though there was only one duvet, so you might want to ask for a blanket if your child tosses and turns. It was still hot when we stayed, so we didn’t need one. Even on what was probably one of the hotel’s most expensive nights, it cost less than half as much as a business hotel that day. The room had separate bathroom and toilet. The wallpaper was a bit flashy, but the bathroom was fairly ordinary and didn’t feel much like a love hotel. The bathtub and chair were pink and heart-shaped, maybe? After check-in, you can choose shampoo and bath salts by the elevator. I don’t usually like hotel shampoo, so that was handy. Some lower-grade rooms apparently share a bath and toilet. There were adult items you wouldn’t find in a business hotel, but my kids didn’t notice them. As a member, we also got a free welcome drink for up to two people. The room had a fridge, microwave, and water server, handy for heating packed lunches and keeping juice cold. I didn’t see vending machines, though bottled drinks seemed to be sold at the front desk for a little more. Don Quijote and 7-Eleven are nearby, so it’s probably easiest to shop before checking in. Once you’ve paid and left your room key at reception, you can go out. Along with regular hair dryers, there was a swirl dryer and hair iron, a nice extra for women who care about styling. There was a complimentary sanitary napkin in the toilet in case your period starts unexpectedly, and it seems you can buy them too. We booked the same C-rank room for our second night. The first night was on the fourth floor and the next was in the same spot on the sixth, with only the wallpaper different. We planned to rent a car after getting off the Shinkansen, so the distance from Sendai Station wasn’t a problem. I was grateful to find such an affordable place.

I’ve stayed here more than once, and the rooms have always been roomy and pleasant. There are lots of amenities, too. Don Quijote, places to eat, and a supermarket are all close by. I’d come back for sure.