Utsunomiya Tobu Hotel Grande

The reception team were wonderful. They went out of their way to help send a couple of my suitcases on to my final destination, and their English was far better than my rudimentary Japanese. The rooms were spotless and roomy by Japanese standards, with great beds and lovely firm pillows. I also appreciated the kettle and complimentary bottled water in the fridge, plus the bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries in the lobby. There’s a lot of charm in the hotel’s classic design, even where things feel old, and the location is great. I’d stayed at Toyoko Inn and The Richmond before, both good hotels, but Tobu Grande was much better for me. I won’t choose anywhere else next time I’m in Utsumomiya. Some negative reviews seem to miss the point of the place. It has timeless character, fabulous service, and impeccable cleanliness. A fabulous stay, and highly recommended.

I regret not booking one of the other well-known chain hotels. The breakfast buffet was shameful. I chose the hotel after seeing buffet photos on websites, but what was served didn’t match that impression. There were only four or five kinds of Japanese food. During the whole 30 minutes I was there, I saw two stale pieces of bread, an empty honey bowl, and only two or three spoonfuls of strawberry jam. Nothing else. The room was so dirty. There was men’s hair all over the bathtub, walls, and shower curtain, plus previous guests’ trash in the bathroom. I found it late at night, otherwise I would have asked to change rooms. The table lamp and standing lamp were covered in brown mold. The hallway rugs on the 11th floor were filthy, too. The blankets were the only clean things.

We booked two rooms for five people and were surprised by how much value we got for the low price. The staff were amazingly kind and helpful, and made us feel very welcome. The exterior and entrance hall are impressive, though the rooms could use a refresh. Depending on your plans in Utsunomiya, the walk from the JR station may feel a bit far if you’re carrying lots of suitcases.

Friendly staff and a nice hotel. The rooms are the usual small size.