Hotel Resol Ueno — Hotel in Tokyo

Outstanding value for location and service/room. Tokyo is far from an inexpensive place to stay, but choosing a more Japanese Hotel than a Western one can pay big dividends, especially if you're willing to travel a little.||The location is outstanding, a short walk from the JR Ueno Station and the Metro Ueno Station. These two combined work easily to reach almost anywhere in the Tokyo metro Area...and even Shinkansen services. Additionally, the Ameyoko shopping district is just south of the stations, the Akihabara area is a mere two stops away, and Asakusa is just three. Basically, anywhere you want to be is within a few steps and 15-45 minutes on a train.||The hotel is modern, clean and well maintained. Now, this is the important part, these are definitely NOT Western sized hotel rooms...but it's also far from a Western sized bill. The room I stayed in was average, and roughly measured a snug 8' x 11', with a 5' x 6' entry area and a 6' x 6' bathroom. The bed was about a U.S. Full (European Queen), and was in a corner of the room. The side with room, had a small bedside shelf with a simple alarm clock and a desk light...but the magic was the controls in the face of the shelf. On/off switches for the overhead light and entry light, and rheostat controls for the pendent light and counter light on the far wall. With the switches backlit, it made for ease of use. The room was equipped with a small fridge, a teapot, a small flat hanging area in the entry, color coded entry carpeting (a small black area for outside shoes, and the rest for the slippers provided. There is also a brilliant 2 foot long shoehorn. Climate control was in Japanese, but Google Image Translate made short work of that.||The bathroom is small, but well equipped...but here's the one drawback. The tub is typical Japanese, and very deep. This results in a high stepover, which I measured at almost 2 feet (~60cm). Additionally, the tub bottom, while slightly textured, can be a bit slippery. Exercise care, and this is the only drawback...other than very little room for suitcases.||The Staff is helpful and able, and the Hotel has a program established to replace towels daily as needed between room cleanings. The breakfast is a solid value.||I highly recommend this location, and note there are three other Hotel Resol's in the area, but I did not experience or visit...

First of all, one of the primary concerns I encountered during my stay was the inefficiency of the air conditioning system in my room. Despite adjusting the settings to the lowest temperature and waiting for a considerable period of time, the air conditioner failed to provide adequate cooling and after a while, the air conditioner will automatically adjust back to 25°C and the room will just remain hot and stuffy. Such issues resulted in an uncomfortable and unpleasant environment, especially during the summer days.

Besides, one of the front staff was extremely dismissive and rude. Due to language barriers with the locals, my companions and I sought assistance from the front staff to make a restaurant reservation on our behalf. To my astonishment, the staff member outright refused our request, displaying a disinterested and unhelpful attitude by claiming most restaurant in Japan will not accept “hotel reservation” To my surprise and disappointment, we only ask the staff to assist us by speaking on our behalf to make a reservation, not make a reservation with the name of the hotel. The staff's lack of empathy and unwillingness to help with our requests added to our frustration and tarnished the overall impression of the hotel.

Furthermore, another issue arose during check out—the strict limitations placed on luggage storage. On the day of checking out, the same front staff showed a super rude attitude to us again by limiting luggage storage service to 2 pieces per person, with even an umbrella being counted as one piece. Not sure if this is the hotel’s policy or the front staff just want to be rude and unwilling to help as nowhere was it mentioned or communicated to me during check-in, nor stated on the hotel’s website or any other relevant materials.

Lastly, the consistent display of a rude and unhelpful attitude by the hotel's front staff member raises questions about their professionalism and commitment to providing exceptional customer service. It is disheartening for me to encounter such incidents at this hotel as this is seriously my first time having to deal with such ignorant staff. Never ever in my life have I encountered any issues with a hotel receptionist.

For those who are reading this review, if you want to have a pleasant stay in Tokyo, please avoid this...

This is a very comfortable hotel and if you know your way around Tokyo then this may be a great fit for you. Ueno is not exactly the ‘hippest’ or ‘best’ hood to be in Tokyo for the tourist, but this location, with easy access to Narita-bound trains, the JR Yamanote Loop Line, and Tokyo Metropolitan subway (all just a small one-lane road across the hotel) , does represent great value for travelers who do not mind being based in a average-ok hood. But if you want exciting food options and department stores with its array of food in the basements, then Ueno is probably not for you.||The Resol Ueno is a very comfortable hotel and does provide wonderful comfort. Check in was very fast and the staff are amazing and efficient. I had a pair of guest checking in ahead of me and the staff immediately got another colleague out to assist me when she saw me in line. ||Room-wise, it is adequate for one person )I am in the entry level room), and is comparable to hotels in Tokyo with similar class. The toilet has a tub and shower with great strong pressure. Hot water gets heated quickly and the flow rate to fill the tub is fast. Standard Japanese bidet toilet is also present and toiletries have a great scent - personal items like facial cleansers, cotton pads, bath-salts and hair brushes are available in a amenity corner at the main lobby (they even have cosmetic sachets like toner, moisturizer and hair wax), along with drip coffee and tea.||The bed was comfortable and what I like are the individual lamps and lights around the room that can be dimmed to different light levels instead of complete shut off. The TV has mostly local channels and cannot be connected to YouTube or any other streaming platforms, so if that’s your thing then take note. ||All in, this hotel gave an amazing first impression of the Resol brand, and I will stay at another Resol when I come...