Washington R&B Hotel Hachioji

Keio Hachioji Station is just down the street, so getting around with luggage was easy. JR Hachioji Station is about a 10-minute walk away, with trains toward Yokohama and Kawaguchiko via Takao/Otsuki. For a solo trip based in Tokyo with trips to places like Kawaguchiko, Kamakura, and Yokohama, the location worked really well. I don’t speak Japanese, and the receptionist didn’t speak English, but check-in was still straightforward thanks to the English guides. Everything was ready when I arrived, and I got my key card right away. The amenities were all available at reception. I also discovered DHC Cleansing Oil here, which did a great job removing eyeliner, a pleasant surprise. Checking out was even easier: I just dropped the card into the designated box. That was especially handy since I had to leave extremely early.

The rooms felt quite cramped, so I’d say this is better suited to a business trip to Japan. It offers decent value for money, but Hachioji may be in Tokyo prefecture, yet it’s a long way from Tokyo.

The staff were awesome and very helpful, and the hotel itself was nice. The rooms, though, are very small, with super uncomfortable beds and pillows. There’s no parking, the Wi-Fi is very inconsistent, vending machines are always out of stock, and the laundry service is terrible. Cleaning staff will also walk in even when the sign is up. Breakfast is the only meal served, and there isn’t much variety: four types of bread, two juices, a soup dispenser, water, and coffee. It’s fine for a couple of nights, but I’d avoid a longer stay.

When I’m lucky enough to take an excursion to Tokyo from near Suwa, Nagano, this place meets my needs: a basic, reasonably priced, clean room. The rooms are small, as you’d expect at a business hotel, and it’s a bit of a walk from the station, but that hasn’t put me off. The free continental breakfast is simple, but a nice perk for a low-cost hotel. I’d recommend it if you’re after basic lodging and breakfast.