Hotel Isodokei

The room was roomy, the price was very affordable, and the place had a quiet, home-like feel. There was free parking outside, which was handy for driving there. The downsides were pretty noticeable, though. Wi-Fi only worked near the ground-floor entrance, and there were no staff around if you needed help. The sanitation needs work: the shower facilities are old, there was some trash, and the women's shower area had no hair dryer. There was also a smell in the hotel. It was a decent self-service stay, but with no staff and other guests around, the quiet could feel unsettling.

The management company's response was awful. I booked through booking.com because the price seemed good, but after checking in I found the kitchen had an induction stove and the supplied frying pan wouldn't work with it. I'd already gone shopping and came back, so I couldn't cook the meat and other ingredients I'd bought. I contacted management and was told to wait. An hour passed with no reply, so I followed up and was told they couldn't help. When I asked what I'd been waiting for, all I got was an apology. The cleaning company also didn't take care of the person on the first floor, and responsibility kept getting passed around.

The place felt unsettling from the moment we walked in. Our room was 311, and although there weren't many rooms, the hallway seemed long and creepy. Late at night, when we tried to go out, we thought we saw figures dancing wildly. Strange sounds woke us while we were sleeping, too. On the way back, one of the guests started feeling unwell. Please be careful if you stay here.

It's a cheap option even during Golden Week, and everything being self-service may suit some people. You get the key from a numbered locker, for example, and there is no caretaker. But noise from the next room carries very clearly, so it won't work well if you're sensitive to sound. The tatami in my room was clean, but a small centipede, about 3 cm long, was there when I opened the door. The second-floor hallway was dirty and should be fixed. I also think the bathroom needs cleaning or repairs. That's a shame with a free-flowing hot spring.