the b shimbashi

We stayed in a superior room. It was comfortable, though small by Western standards, with no wardrobe. The hotel was very clean, and its spot on the edge of the business and entertainment districts worked well for us. Breakfast was unusual but filling, with a small soup, a roll, and a pastry.

The next day’s front desk staff were warm and professional, a complete contrast to our check-in the evening before. We arrived around 6:30 pm on January 3. The woman at reception, with her hair in a small bun and no glasses or face mask, spoke to us unpleasantly. When we asked about checkout time, she told us to look at our own booking plan, saying, “It is written there.” A second later she said it was 11 am. She could have just told us that from the start. Her attitude made the whole check-in unpleasant. Of all the hotel staff we met in Japan, this was our worst check-in experience.

It’s about a 30-minute walk to the Imperial Palace. The room was clean and comfortable, and the location is handy, close to the subway and lots of restaurants.

The location made getting around easy, with the metro an eight-minute walk away and restaurants and shops nearby, including a 7/11. Our room was spotless, and the staff were very attentive. They helped us with important things, including sending our suitcases to another city. There’s just one washing machine, but it’s available 24/7. The hotel also has a free coffee machine and serves fresh kurasans free in the morning. It’s a brand new hotel, and I’d highly recommend it.