Restay Yashio

I’ve never stayed at a worse hotel in Japan.

The rooms are kept very clean, the food is delicious, and the member benefits are good. There’s a broad choice of rooms, from reasonably priced options to ones with added value. It’s near the highway exit, though the convenience store is a bit of a walk. The air conditioner vents are incredibly dusty, and the air purifier, including its water tank and plumbing, is extremely dirty. Those may need a deep clean or replacement.

The bathtub itself was clean, but the shower area was a disaster. When I rinsed around the shampoo holder, wriggling, thin insects came out of the grout between the wall and floor. There were at least 10, each about 10 mm long. The more I rinsed, the more soap scum and other stuff came loose, until I couldn't even tell what was an insect anymore. The corner tiles by the tub were completely pink, and I couldn't bring myself to step on them. The shower area plainly hadn't been cleaned. I wonder how long it had been left that way for those unpleasant bugs to thrive. I've seen dirty bathroom grout before, but never insects living in it. A real learning experience. No photos, of course. My partner was terrified, though he was happy with his ReFa hairdryer. A few smaller problems were the awkward parking lot access, complimentary coffee that hadn't been refilled, and no men's amenities at all.

A sudden downpour hit shortly after I arrived, and it nearly cost me my life. Thank you so much for looking after me. The bartenders called late at night to ask if I'd found a taxi home, since they knew I might be having trouble getting one. I couldn't find a taxi, and when I told them I was stuck, they helped me locate one and let me wait in my room until it arrived. That flexible, welcoming service meant a lot. I used the bar for the first time unexpectedly. Since I took a taxi both ways, I was eligible for a discount. When I asked about getting 500 yen off when I left, they replied quickly and kindly. I'd like to stay overnight next time I'm out drinking around the station.