APA HOTEL UENO-EKIKITA — Hotel in Tokyo

This is my second time staying in APA Hotel. Although the room size is a bit small, I am not disappointed as it is normal in APA Hotel. ||||There are two APA Hotels near Ueno Station. At the beginning, I thought I had reserved the one beside the Skyliner Ueno Station but it was not. Thanks to Google Map. The street is quite quiet at night as it was located between the commercial buildings and hotels. It take a 10-minutes-walk to Ueno JR Station. There is a Lawson store opposite to the hotel. ||||I have no comment in the room facilities as they are sufficient to me. As I don't need to have room cleaning service, the staff leave the supplies like towel outside the room. However, I am shocked that the supplies are wrapped up with plastic bag and left on the floor. I don't think this is a clean and tidy way. I expect the supplies are hooked up like at the door handle. ||||The second thing is that there in only one lift. You may need to wait for a long time during the peak hour. Remember to count in the lift-waiting time if you have a tight schedule. Luckily, I didn't meet the peak hour. ||||The last thing is about the transportation information. As I had an early flight after checking out, I was worried about the transportation to the HND airport. I couldn't find suggestions from the hotel's website. Therefore, I search from Apps. Also, I asked the front desk for suggestions as I thought that there may be some better suggestions or tips from them for guests with bulk luggage. I was disappointed that the staff search from the same App as I had just used. ||||To conclude, the service of the hotel is average. As APA is a brand mainly for commercial stay, do not expect there will be a home-like welcoming...

We stayed 3-5 Nov 2024 and used the self-service check-in.

The hotel was within walking distance to the nearest train station, and our room was tiny but well-equipped, although we wished that there could be a self-service laundry area. We walked to a nearby laundromat instead. The hotel cleaning crew member left new PJs and towels for us at our door when we left during the day with the Do Not Disturb sign. Even though we did not use the new items, we appreciated their gesture. The checkout was 10am, and we were able to extend the checkout the previous night by following the instructions on the TV screen for 2000¥ per hour for late checkout, so that was very convenient. We paid at the counter when we checked out.

The hotel staff also helped me call a cab on checkout-day, when I could not get a response on the DiDi app, so that was very nice of them.

However, I was very upset at the mannerisms of the night duty staff who tried to help me with the self-service kiosk on check-in day. He did not introduce himself or greet us, but he just stepped very close to me (I am an Asian female) and just tapped on the screen I was using without saying "sumimasen" or "gomenasai." I was very uncomfortable with his nearness, and I wondered if I was a Caucasian, would he had behaved in that manner. Finally, I could not take it and loudly repeated myself, "Can I do it myself?" and he finally got the message and stepped away. I did not mean to embarrass him with a loud voice, but it seems he did not get my message the first two times, so I felt I had to shout for him to hear me. I think he was the night duty manager.

I will still consider to stay here in the future, though I might be wary of the...

Tiny rooms And thin pillows are not uncommon in Tokyo. But the reason for my poor review was the appalling. Customer service. Arriving at 12pm for 7 rooms to check in. we were asked for passports. These were duly provided. Only then were we told that check in was after 3pm. Passports were handed back. We returned later in the day after hiking the city (ps it’s about 10-15 minutes walk from the station. With not much around. At this 2nd check in. The staff again requested the 7 passports and then proceeded to spend the next 30 minutes manually inputting ALL the data from ALL the passports. And ALL people had to write complete details including full home address’s (passport numbers again!!!) in a paper form which was cross checked (Despite this being prebooked through booking.com with a credit card etc. ). In frustration I asked for a manager. The staff lied about being the manager and then when finally he arrived he didn’t seem to care whatsoever about customer service or actually running. A hotel. They were dismissive and rude and had no interest in actually. Checking us in. Maybe because we were not Japanese business men. Or maybe they are not interested in actually working in hospitality but I would suggest looking elsewhere. (Frankly in the prior week we stayed at the best western Ueno and while its further from the station I would suggest it’s a much better option. Finally while the beds are fine. The pillows are about as thick as...