Hotel Noir Blanc

We had a good two-night stay after booking for three people with breakfast through booking.com. The foreign staff were warm, smiling, and helpful, and we enjoyed the sauna on the third floor. Breakfast came in Japanese or Western options. The snacks were corn chips, popcorn, and pudding on the first day, then a bigger selection on Saturday, including roast beef, mini cakes, muffins, and traditional Japanese snacks. I’d asked in the morning of day two for fresh towels and the bin to be emptied, but it hadn’t been done by the time we got back that evening. Maybe the male staff member had forgotten. It was a small issue, and the afternoon staff helped change the towels and empty the bin.

We paid about what we would for a budget business hotel, but got a huge room with all the amenities and a jacuzzi of our own. There was also a free bar with alcohol and soft drinks, little desserts, and a sauna. Room service breakfast was a big serving and cost 1200 yen. The service was great too. Such a good deal, this place was phenomenal.

I hadn’t planned to stay here, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed. The rooms are spacious and nice, and the value is hard to beat in Japan. I was unsure about the location at first, but it worked well for sightseeing, and you can see Mt Fuji from the rooftop. The staff didn’t speak English, but communication was no problem. They went out of their way to help me get where I needed to go: one woman made a translated bus timetable with personal instructions and a note for the driver, then walked with me to the stop and spoke to the driver. This was at 6am in the middle of winter. I’ve seen other complaints that felt pretty fussy to me, like about the parking spaces and key cards. I’d give this place 10 stars for the service.

The price dropped right after I booked, and I couldn't get a refund. Terrible. I wouldn't book here.