Relaxation Spa Hotel Nexel

The large public bath on the third floor was what stood out most during my business stay. The location is good for the price, although it’s a bit disappointing that the closest convenience store is across the street. The second floor is for smoking, but the smoking and non-smoking areas seem unevenly separated. Depending on the timing, smoke from downstairs reached me just after I’d left the bath. Smokers should take note.

For around 3500 yen, I’d rate it about four stars, though prices differ on Doribago, Agoda, Rakuten, and Jalan. Nexel’s interior is fairly clean and seems to have been renovated recently. One front desk staff member appears to be there until 10 PM. The rooms are small and the walls are thin, but I found it better than a capsule hotel. The main draw is the traditional-style bath and sauna on the third floor. It’s old-fashioned, spacious, and has a proper bathhouse feel.

I paid 1500 yen for a reclining chair, which seemed like a bargain, but I ended up with more than five mosquito bites in just two hours. The semi-private room is open at the top, so mosquitoes kept getting in. It was also too hot. Cheap has its limits.

The men's public bath is open to outside visitors too. A visit costs 650 yen without a towel, or 850 yen with one. It’s roomy, the water temperature is good, and shampoo and shower gel are provided. A really comfortable way to relax if your hotel doesn’t have its own public bath.