VIA INN PRIME AKASAKA - JR WEST GROUP

I was on a tight budget this trip and found this hotel which has a public bath (onsen). The rooms were no smaller than other more expensive convenient hotels I've stayed at, so that proved good value. Breakfast also had good variety and was tasty. It ticks all the boxes I've come to expect of a 3-star Tokyo hotel. Downside: I found the location just barely acceptable because the closest stations don't actually connect to a few key train lines that I use more often, and there are a lot of bars around so walking 10mins to the hotel at night past lots of smokers and tipsy people wasn't the best.

The best part about this hotel is its location. You have 3 stations within 10 minute walk of your hotel. My favorite was Akasaka station. I was able to get in from HND from this stop which is maybe 3-5 minute walk away. The hotel is simple to find. Outside of that Akasaka is bustling with food stops and even a few 24 hr options. There are grocery, pharmacies, konbinis, pretty close which came in handy after a long day of traveling or when I was sick and needed medicine and food fast. You can get to major areas within 11-25 minutes which is major for getting all you want done during your stay. My issues came with the hotel itself. The hotel front desk was not as warm or good listeners as the staff I experienced at another hotel in Tokyo but they were not rude at all. When I check in was not as quick as I expected and they asked some silly questions. The cleaning staff were so sweet but a little pushy. My issues with the room. Our shower curtain smelled horrible and I should have asked that it be replaced. The toilet did not flush right and it was really gross waiting till the next day for it to be cleaned. It also did not have the features I was used to controlling on a bidet. 2 people stayed in the double twin room and it was manageable with 5 suitcases but got tight so I suggest packing lighter 1-2 suitcases each. The bed was comfortable. The reviews are right the pillows are really hard but, it’s weird, they are still so comfortable and I slept like a baby every night! I thought it would be an issue but it’s not. The sheets were not switched to our liking. I also think the cleaning staff came too early which is why they probably were a little pushy about getting into the room if they saw you. But they were never mean and I thought they were very kind. The onsen, vending machines, and laundry are on the 3rd floor and are amazing. The onsen is a big reason I picked this hotel. I would stay here again, but they need to update the toilet or bidets.

Felt like a prison cell. Pillows are made out of beans. This is not an ideal budget hotel.

The location is alright but it doesn't justify it's price as the room was very small and my TV wasn't even connected to WiFi. The staff had to fumble in the room with me and my wife in the room for about 15 minutes to coonect the WiFi back into the TV. The public bath doesn't have sauna and has two bath, one completely inside and the other that's also inside with a windows open.