the square hotel Ginza

After our first night, Franchesca was extremely helpful and moved us to a room that worked better for a couple. ARIGATO FRANCHESCA! The front desk staff's English was very poor, and they either couldn't or seemed not to understand simple questions and requests. The hotel felt like a two-star place or a sophisticated hostel. The bedroom was tiny, and its layout and lighting didn't make sense, so I wouldn't recommend it to couples. The elevator carpet was extremely dirty, as if it hadn't been vacuumed in ages, and the sink area in the bedroom had what looked like toothpaste splashes left by previous guests.

I was pleasantly surprised by this hotel after seeing the photos. It turned out to be a great stay, though the price was pretty high because of the Tokyo marathon. The room was spacious, had a street view, and included the usual shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hair dryer, and humidifier. The beds were a bit hard, which suits me. The toilet was separate from the wash area, always a plus. Check-in went smoothly, but you have to arrive at 1500 or wait. There's self-service bag storage on the second floor. That floor also has a basic gym, laundry, and a smoking room. In the lobby there's a small cafe/bar serving breakfast, and there's a public bath for men and women. Family Mart and Lawson are close by. My main gripe was the walk to the station, about 17 minutes.

We spent 9 nights here in a Triple room for three, and it was very affordable for Ginza. The area is excellent for shopping and a little quieter, with the Higashi, Itchome, and main Ginza stations surrounding the hotel. Check-in and checkout were easy, and the young international staff were helpful. The room was a good size, with a great bathroom and heated toilet seats, though the toilet and bathroom/sink were at opposite ends. They leave fresh towels outside your door each day if you don't request cleaning, a nice touch. Laundry machines are available, but there are only three, so you may need to go very early or late. There's also a public bath on the second floor, which we didn't try.

The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the hotel was spotless and modern. The price seems reasonable by Tokyo standards, and I don't mind a small room. Our windows faced a wall, which wasn't ideal, but we were out seeing Tokyo most of the time anyway. The location is the real highlight, close to the subway and about a 15-minute walk from Tokyo station, making it a great base for Ginza and Tokyo.