Hotel Stay In Sanno Plaza

The hotel itself is good, though there isn’t much around it. It’s near a hospital, and the closest grocery store, a Lawson, is about a 15-minute walk away.

I picked this hotel for a late show at Tsuruoka Machinaka Cinema, which is just a three-minute walk away. That was especially handy on a midwinter night. There aren’t any convenience stores close by, though there is a supermarket between the station and the hotel. On site, vending machines have drinks, alcohol, cup ramen and snacks, and there’s a microwave too. The room and facilities are basic, but they look renovated and were clean. I’m fussy about smells, and nothing bothered me. The air conditioner, TV, lights and kettle were new and comfortable to use. The bath tap may be old, but there was plenty of hot water and the bath was clean. Towels are thin, and the provided toiletries are body soap and shampoo-in-conditioner, like at Toyoko Inn. The first-floor amenity area is simple, with toothbrushes, razors and cotton swabs. Tea bags are limited to one per person. If you need anything else, there’s a Tsuruha Drugstore nearby. One unusual detail was that the front desk staff wore security company uniforms. They seemed experienced, though, and handled things smoothly and very politely.

The room was spacious after renovation, though pretty plain. Breakfast is included, which is a nice extra, and I could see this place working well for a longer stay. It’s about a 20-minute walk to Tsuruoka Station, with restaurants and a supermarket along the way.

I like the south-facing rooms best. They look out over the city center and Mount Kinpu, while the north-facing side gives you the sunrise and a view of Mount Chokai. From the stairs you can see beautiful Mount Gassan, and I always take pictures of it and the city from there. If you look carefully, you can spot the large red torii gate on the way to Mount Haguro, and even see it lit up at night, though you have to squint a bit. I recommend getting a room on the 7th floor. This branch is much quieter than its sister hotel near the station, with few people around and no freight train vibrations. The main post office and a shrine are right across from it, so I think the location is ideal. It was built in the center of what used to be a thriving city, though you wouldn’t know it now, and some of the facilities feel dated. Breakfast is buffet-style. The rooms used to come with loungewear, but starting this year guests pick it up at the front desk.