Outlet Hotel UenoEkimae

For the price, the room size was reasonable. APA rooms are known to be small, but the value balances that out. The main drawback for me was the centrally controlled air conditioning. Although there's a remote in the room, a sign said heating and cooling were controlled centrally, so it felt a little stuffy. The hotel can rent you an extra fan or heater. The location is excellent. The hotel is right beside Ueno Park and Keisei Ueno Station, where the Keisei Narita Skyliner goes directly to Narita Airport. Keisei Ueno is a two-minute walk from the main JR Ueno station, with the Yamanote Line and Shinkansen connections to major sites and stations. Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street is also within walking distance. Staff were extremely polite and helpful. I arrived at peak check-in time while a large tour group was storing luggage, but the staff quickly came to assist and made sure everything was taken care of. They were consistently friendly and ready to help. All in all, I had a pleasant stay, as long as you don't bring too much luggage 😂

The staff were rude and the guest service felt abusive. The restaurant isn't part of the hotel, and its staff were very rude. My four-year-old son wanted to finish his leftover yoghurt later in our room. I checked with the restaurant staff, then carried some in a small disposable cup. There was a communication gap. When I reached the lift, a restaurant staff member ran over and pulled me out in front of other guests and my child, who was still inside. He touched me to stop me getting on, so I handed back the cup. He could have spoken politely, but instead got aggressive and touchy. That was hard to believe and completely unacceptable hospitality.

We picked a Lakeview room and really enjoyed the view over Ueno Park. The hotel is right by Keisei Skyliner station, with direct access to Narita airport, and check-in was very easy. Staff were professional, friendly, and helpful. We love staying here when we're in Ueno.

The hotel is conveniently close to the Keisei line. Ueno Park is large and usually busy, with many travelers from around the world, and you can also visit its art museums on your own. It seems to me the hotel is popular with people from many countries. I thought the receptionists could speak English and Japanese, though I didn't check whether they could speak Chinese or another language.