the b akasaka

The rooms are quite big, though the lighting is a bit dim. The location worked well for us, with a convenience store 1 min away and Akasaka station 6min away. You can avoid a hill by taking the lifts. Around 11pm, an earthquake hit and the building shook quite a bit. We were on a higher floor, so it felt intense, and since we’d never experienced an earthquake, we went downstairs. The staff were really kind. Ohta checked the earthquake’s location and magnitude, then helped calm me down. On check-out day, I think Ohta had left a note, because the front desk staff told me there were ‘no upcoming earthquakes’ and to enjoy the rest of our journey. It was really heartwarming.

The rooms are quiet, though a bit small, which is pretty normal for Tokyo. The hotel is an easy walk from the busy Akasaka-Mitsuke shopping area, with lots of restaurants nearby. The staff were great and friendly, taking care of everything.

Getting to the hotel involves a bit of a walk up and down the hill from the train station. There is an elevator beside the TBS building if you’re coming from Akasaka Station, and a convenience store across the street inside the business building, though it closes at 10pm. The room was fine, but the bed was extremely hard, like lying on the floor, and I do usually like a firm bed. There was heat only, no AC. I’m not sure if that was because it was cold outside, but I run warm and prefer a cold room. Staff were friendly and helpful, and the B Lounge has free coffee and water plus a place to sit and socialize. It’s a good, simple hotel, though a bit on the older side. I wish the AC had been working, but since it was cold outside, it wasn’t a big deal.

There are plenty of places to eat nearby, and two different metro stations are within walking distance. Breakfast is a decent buffet, and the coffee machine is free all day. The only downside was the rock-hard bed and pillows, though apparently that's normal in Japan. It's a good spot for a night or two, but it's up a hill, so take a cab if you're carrying a heavy case.