Sideplace Kinshicho

My room was tiny and dusty, and getting there meant climbing four flights of stairs since there’s no elevator. When I asked for the room to be cleaned, the staff responded well and cleaned it more thoroughly than it had been when I checked in.

For a small, cheap room, the noise from people in the hallway and doors opening and closing is probably expected. I did like having my own private room with a shower, though it was only about the size of two tatami mats, and I didn’t need to worry about other guests around me. There was even a complimentary bottle of water, which was a nice surprise since I thought I’d forgotten to buy one. I was in Tokyo for work and arrived at night. People were trying to sell things outside, there were drunk people around, and the city atmosphere wasn’t great. The hotel is on the fourth floor, with a girls’ bar on the floor below, which I found disappointing.

I booked this for work because my budget was tight, but I don't think I'd stay again. The place felt creepy enough that I didn't want to leave the room. Finding it was difficult, and walking up the stairs made me uneasy. I got the room number and password on arrival day and never saw anyone during the stay. At least the shared toilet was clean, and I appreciated having a refrigerator. The bed was raised to make room underneath, but the little sink was so narrow that brushing my teeth was awkward. The futon felt a bit damp, the window was blocked, and I mostly just concentrated on sleeping. The area didn't seem very safe either. I saw at least three touts standing around within sight as I entered.

The location is a real plus: there’s a restaurant downstairs, a supermarket three steps away, and a department store about three minutes away. Wi-Fi worked fine, the room and furnishings were fairly new and clean, and the hair dryer worked well. I also appreciated the coded room lock, trash sorting bin, steam iron, scale, table lamp, and microwave. Rooms have separate bathrooms, though the bathroom is shared. Some rooms have no windows, and the rooms are so small that big luggage is a problem. If you’re out most of the time, it’s manageable, but Thai travelers may find the space cramped. Outside noise can be deafening, including construction, and sometimes people come up to rent a room and shout, which can be scary. There’s no elevator, so you have to take the stairs. A fabric deodorizer from a drug store could help freshen clothes worn outside. Bringing a few foldable hangers may help with organizing, and a separate mirror is handy because the room mirror is small and dim, especially for brushing teeth or putting on makeup.