Toyoko INN Matsuyama Ichiban-cho — Hotel in Matsuyama

Booked this hotel in Matsuyama as it was one of the cheaper options in town, plus the Toyoko Inn website was in English (not many hotel websites in Matsuyama are!). Had stayed at a Toyoko Inn previously, so I knew about all the usual quirks that come with this chain. ||All in all though, this particular Toyoko Inn exceeded my rather average expectations. The receptionists were delightful and most helpful. The usual Japanese breakfast also included some toast and jam (for those of us not keen on rice balls & pickles for breakfast!). There was free coffee available in the lobby during the day. There was also free wi-fi in the lobby and in the rooms. The rooms are the normal size for a hotel of this sort in Japan, done up with the usual Toyoko Inn décor flair! The location was good, less than a 10 min walk to the main undercover shopping street and the ropeway. There is a streetcar stop just outside the hotel from which you can get to Dogo.||Previously, my biggest complaint about the Toyoko Inns was their policy that you couldn’t go to your room during the day when they are cleaning - very annoying! But they now have a “Green” booking option that circumvents this policy – just make sure you select this option when booking on-line. This option means that they will only clean your room on the 3rd day of your stay (they still give you fresh towels every day) and they even charge you less for your room on the days when they don’t clean. Ultimately this means you can return to your room during the non-cleaning days! ||Normally I would give a Toyoko Inn 3 out of 5 but they deserve an extra star for the small, but apperciated,...

Convenient location, a must for us.||||Room was nice and clean. Luggage was held on checkout with rapid, efficient return to us after touring. A cab arrived within 5 minutes of hotel calling for one to bring us to the train station and our previously scheduled departure for Okayama.|| ||Expected less for breakfast based on prior TA reviews for this hotel chain but was satisfied with hard boiled eggs, fresh salad and rice balls. Liked the coffee machine options and could hear the beans being ground.||||Excellent restaurant in the International Hotel Matsuyama, less than a 5 minute walk away. ( It was not the "Intercontinental Hotel," as I incorrectly noted on my TA restaurant review.) ||||Would definitely...

I'm a great fan of Toyoko Inn, especially when I get a free night after every ten, which usually happens once every Japan visit for me. Consistency and predictability are the bywords, it's sort of like the McDonalds of the hotel world.||||So location is the major variable and this one is located on the street car line about halfway between the JR station and Dogo onsen, so for the typical Western tourist, quite convenient. There's a tram stop right opposite and an easy walk to the castle. A really nice crab restaurant opposite - you can't miss it!||||Staff were friendly and helpful, wifi signal was...