ARTIST HOTEL - BnA HOTEL Koenji

Koenji felt local and quieter than Shinjuku, but it’s only two train stops west. My daughter and I stayed five nights and loved the location. I loved into the foreign. We were residing in a masterpiece. Waking up and going to sleep beside such a great art piece was a joy. There was enough space for two, the beds were comfortable, and the bathroom was wonderful. Thanks Kenji! We’ll be back.

The hosts were quick to help when the door got stuck, and they had good suggestions for music venues and other places around the area. The room itself was cool. I stayed about a week, but the bar and venue weren't active then, which was a little disappointing since that was one of the selling points. Still, no big deal. The elevator is used for storage, so people can't ride in it, though there's enough space to bring bags up or down. The stairs are really steep. I slipped once and hit the corner, and was glad I caught the handrail or I might have hurt myself.

Koenji has interesting shops and good places to eat, and the subway connection is good even if the area looks remote on a map. The hotel itself is a special place, with just two rooms and a fun bar/reception. My room was immaculate, with wolves rampaging around the walls. There's not much room for a suitcase, but that's minor. Akira, the manager, is a delight behind the bar and had plenty of useful information. I love that BnA supports new Japanese artists and gives those whose work is in the rooms a percentage of the room rate. Brilliant idea. This isn't an ordinary hotel, so ignore the star rating. I can't recommend it more highly.

Akira and the rest of the staff made me feel so welcome, they were all really friendly. This was easily the best hotel I stayed at in Japan. I hope I can stay there again if I come back. You won't find the same kind of experience anywhere else.