the circle apartment

I slept well on the firm, clean, well-kept bed, and this was one of the quietest dorms I’ve stayed in. Naturally, sound carries more than in a private hotel room, but it wasn’t a problem here. The shared toilets, showers, washer and dryer, kitchen, and fridge were all very clean and maintained. Staff were friendly and accommodating, but leave at 9 PM, so check-in has to be done by then. There’s private parking for eight cars, first come, first served, in the eight-square-meter lot across the river behind the hotel. I’d stay here again if I had the chance.

I stayed here for a trip to Shima Spain Village. It’s right in front of Ugata Station, and the women-only floor is on the 3rd floor, with four private rooms. The shower room side, where I stayed, has no windows and suits anyone who prefers a darker room. It also had some noise and vibration, so the window-side rooms seem like a better choice in that respect. The rooms are maisonette style, with desks, and split between two on the window side and two by the shower rooms. There are two toilets, three showers and three sinks, though women from other floors use those facilities too. Most things are provided, so there’s no need to bring your own amenities. Slippers would make the stay more comfortable. The hairdryer and straightener were Refa brand. There’s also a shared kitchen and laundry on the 4th floor. It was clean and comfortable, and I’d stay again if I get the chance, though the experience depends on the other guests on the floor.

It’s close to Ugata Station, with a nice interior and good amenities. Before check-in I asked politely whether I could leave my luggage, and they responded courteously. They have key lockers big enough for regular suitcases as well as smaller dial lockers, so I didn’t feel security was an issue. I’d use it again if I’m in the area.

The place is handy for Kintetsu Ugata Station’s west exit, and for a simple overnight stay I didn’t run into any major inconvenience. It’s a four-story building with an elevator. Reception is on the first floor and outsourced, while the so-called front desk is on the second. The fourth floor has private rooms, the third seems to be women-only, and the second has capsule-style beds that feel like a cave. I believe the second-floor cave area is mixed-gender. I heard the women’s shower room is on the third floor, but didn’t check. There’s a roomy self-service kitchen on the fourth floor with a kettle, microwave toaster and washer-dryer. Although there are toilet signs on that floor, there are no toilets there, so you have to go downstairs each time. The men’s shower room is on the second floor, with three sinks, as far as I could tell. The fourth-floor private room has only an upper bunk, reached by a six-step ladder, so you need to bend over or you’ll hit your head. Towels are supplied, but no loungewear. There’s no TV, and the window doesn’t open, but it helps the room feel less cramped. The fridge is in the shared kitchen. Even though the floors are shared spaces, you need a card key to get in. If you step out and leave it behind, you have to wait for someone else to enter. That happened to me.