Business Hotel Sepia

The room itself was already a question mark for me, even before I got to assess it. When I checked in, the proprietress charged me even though I’d used points and owed nothing on site. That sort of mix-up can happen, but she called over her husband, or possibly the owner, and scolded him while hurrying him to check. After he found the receipt, she glanced at it and announced proudly, “I've confirmed the points were used!” I’d been left waiting a long time, and nobody apologized. The owner seems to also run the restaurant across the street. Since public transit isn’t convenient there, I got the impression the lodging is an afterthought after banquet business. For a similar price, other hotels in the area gave much better service.

The bed was the thing I couldn’t get over. It was so hard I felt like I was on a rock. I’ve stayed in plenty of places while traveling and can overlook things like a moldy bathroom or a weak hairdryer, but that steel-hard bed really baffled me. Where do you even buy one? There’s parking, which is handy, and the place has a retro Showa-era atmosphere. You fill out the guest register by hand.

Breakfast was freshly made and delicious when I chose the Western option, though coffee comes automatically with it. I don’t like coffee, so it would be better if guests could pick their drink. Payment by credit card isn’t accepted. They said this was because I booked through Rakuten, so perhaps cards are accepted in some cases. I understand Rakuten fees and card fees may be hard to manage, but it’s inconvenient and I hope they improve that. It’s a family-run place with a Showa-era business inn feel, about a three-minute walk from Gangwon Station. The room is practical and comfortable, though the old banquet-hall style chairs aren’t great for sitting at a desk for long. The view is just neighboring houses. There’s no fridge in the room, but a shared one in the hallway, and you need to label your things with your room number. There’s one coin laundry machine, kept outdoors and somewhat weathered.

The staff at reception were warm and friendly, and I enjoyed the food. The building is a little old, but clean and perfectly fine. I’d happily come back when I’m in the area.