Tottori Washington Hotel Plaza

The location is hard to beat, less than a two-minute walk from Tottori station, and the area was quiet. My room was tidy and spacious for a solo traveller. The staff were friendly and spoke English well. They also offer luggage storage before and after your stay.

The staff were great and breakfast was good, but the room and amenities left a lot to be desired. I paid 7K with the national travel support discount, but without it the price would have been 14K. At that rate I expected more. We got the usual slippers, towels, and soap, while toothbrushes and razors were available at the front desk. There were no Q-tips or combs. The floor also needed better vacuuming. At first the room looked nice, but when I looked more closely I could see piles of dust in the corners and under the night lights. The hotel is dated, though it seemed to be kept in good shape otherwise.

The room was spacious, with a big window and its own air purifier. The AC was unpredictable, sometimes warm and sometimes cool, with no temperature control because it’s a central system. The double bed had just one pillow, which wasn’t enough for me when I wanted another to read in bed. I didn’t hear much noise, maybe because the other guests and cleaning staff were considerate. Reception was friendly, though their English was only fair. For the price, it’s a real deal and I’d consider staying again. It’s close to the JR station, so getting around is easy. The design and facilities feel very old-school, which could put off hipsters, but they provide daily cleaning and fresh towels, pajamas, and slippers. You can also take a free toothbrush, tea, or instant coffee. At night, the first and second floors felt quite scary when they turned off the lights. I went there for the smoking room, and my photos don’t show how dark it was.

A business-class stay with a graceful update to its Showa-era style.