To make the accommodation search easier … I wanted to talk about brands of hotels I will always look at first ( excluding the good old trusty global brands like Hyatt, Westin, Hiltons, Ibis etc. which I find to be good but they aren’t always in our travel budget.). Brands are easier to recommend as it leaves more options all around Japan rather than just recommending one hotel that I love – only for it to be fully booked when The Tokyo Chapter readers are actually looking to make a reservation.
Once again, this is MY opinion and other people may feel differently.
PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST HOTELS ONLY OPEN UP THEIR BOOKING SYSTEMS 6 MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME.
If you look earlier than 6 months it may look like a hotel is completely booked – but it is because they haven’t yet opened these dates. The Official Tokyo Disney Resort Hotels don’t open up bookings until 3-4 months ahead of time. If you are able to find rooms earlier than 6 months in time they can often be more expensive as the sites are assuming they will be able to get the rooms once the dates are officially open (so compare current and future prices to be sure.) If you book too early – you hotel choices will be quite limited compared to waiting.
Japanese Hotel Brands/ Chains that I’ll always gravitate towards in an accommodation search:
Mimaru Hotel Apartments: They have a little kitchenette, connecting rooms, large rooms to accommodate for up to 10 people. Made with young families in mind. I wrote about the Mimaru chain here ( specifically about one in Tokyo but it is the same chain.)
If you’re confused as to which Mimaru Tokyo option might best suit your family, see my blog post on Which Mimaru location is best for families? blog post here.
Candeo Hotels: New. Affordable. Usually great locations. Small but clean rooms. They can fit two small children if you request a cot and or a single sofa bed. I love their rooftop public baths.
Nest Hotels: Small but modern. Often include a simple complimentary breakfast for guests. 24 front desk. Coin Laundry on site for guests.
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
Tokyu Excel Hotels: Simple, clean, dependable
Okura Hotels: Higher end but the attention to detail is worth if for the right price. Make use of the concierge services for restaurant bookings and recommendations. This kind of customer service is taken seriously. It is a traditional Japanese hotel so don’t think you’ll be able to bend any of the hotel rules though. Please note that the Okura Hotels provide baby cots/ cribs but only for children 12 months or younger. See here for more information on looking for hotels with cots in Japan.
Henn Na Hotel: Nothing fancy. Small rooms but new and one of the most affordable options. The lobby always has a gimmick like dinosaurs or robots at front reception. These are a ” fend for yourself” in clean and modern facilities kind of deal.
Centurion: They have lots of sub-brands but I find them to do the job. They are clean and offer a decent simple breakfast.
Hotel Gracery: Clean. Dependable. Staff speak English well. Used to accommodating families.
Hotel Androoms: This is a chain of hotels and I’m so impressed. The hotels are modern, clean, generously sized rooms, a beautiful restaurant/ communal working space in the lobby. They are also so reasonably priced!! I booked on booking.com and only paid around 6000 yen for one night!! ( and that included breakfast!)* Prices will change depending on the location, season and weekend vs weekday, of course.
I’ve written in detail about the Hotel Androoms, Honmachi in Osaka here.
Sotetsu Fresa: Warning. These rooms are very very small. This is a great option if you are trying to stretch your budget.
This is a relatively new chain but the buildings have mostly been purchased from other hotel chains and redone. The rooms are small and simple but so clean. Rooms are not big but I have stayed by myself with the two kids ( we all shared a bed.) I recommend for singles, couples or couples with a little baby. They provide kids toiletry sets with little slippers. There are no English tv options in the rooms ( except for NHK news translation). Breakfast is simple so I wouldn’t pay extra for it. Most Sotetsu do have microwaves, vending machines and coin laundry facilities within the hotel. They don’t offer luggage forwarding services here.
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
Sotetsu Fresa Ariake at Odaiba, has a free shuttle to Disneyland. This hotel has everything you could need in terms of amenities and is VERY VERY cost effective. Warning though – the rooms are very very small. To use the Disney shuttle, you will need to book a spot on the bus in advance and the first bus of the day is at 7:10am. That is the most popular bus and books out quickly – and some people believe that it doesn’t get you to Tokyo Disney Resort early enough … but it depends how hardcore you are about Disneyland, I guess.
Kiro Hotels by the Share Group
I haven’t had the pleasure of staying yet but I hear that these hotels are exceptional for families.
See here if you are looking for hotels/apartments with multiple rooms.
See here if you are seeking hotels for families of 5 or more.
