APA Hotel Wakayama

For a one-night stay, the price and location were a good deal, and the staff were friendly. I liked having tea available. The sheets and bathroom were clean, but compared with smoking rooms at other APA hotels, this one wasn't as clean and still smelled of smoke.

There isn't free parking, but you can get a ticket for 20 hours of parking for 800 JPY. The room was good overall, though the floor seemed a little unclean. The bathroom, on the other hand, was very clean.

The one bright spot was a front desk staff member who had no authority to fix the problem but was trying his best. The manager wasn't helpful and didn't come out to talk with me, choosing to stay behind the counter staff. After nearly two hours at reception trying to explain that the room wasn't suitable or as advertised, we were offered another double room for just 1,000 yen off the standard rate. Communication was also difficult because their English was limited. The bathroom hadn't been cleaned: there was blood on the toilet bowl and dust over everything. Even though I was on a non-smoking floor, the hallway stank of cigarette smoke. I booked a double room expecting a bigger bed and room, but it was tiny and couldn't comfortably fit two people. The hotel sells single and double rooms that are identical in size, without making clear in the listings that the room and bed sizes are the same. The only price difference is an extra set of disposable items they call “Amenities,” like a bathrobe, toothbrush and razor. I wouldn't book here if you expect management to treat you respectfully or try to find a fair solution. Zero stars if I could. Don't bother unless you're desperate, and if you have to stay, book a single room.

The staff were polite, and the bathroom was nicely cleaned, but the room itself was terribly dirty. There was dirt all over the floor, something left behind by a previous guest on the chair, and hair on the pillow. The hotel is a little far from Wakayama station and Wakayamashi station, though the castle is much closer.