R&B Hotel Ueno-hirokoji — Hotel in Tokyo

I am baffled by this hotel’s review score. Please read this before booking. I’m trying to save you grief.

Half-price for this room would still have been too much. Extremely tiny room, even for Japan. No room for my luggage and I’m traveling solo. Most uncomfortable bed and pillow I’ve ever had in Japan. The bed was so stiff it almost felt convex. There’s a “pillow bar”, but all of the pillows were taken. Hot take: just get good beds and pillows and you won’t need a pillow bar.

There were random slamming sounds every 15 minutes all night. I don’t know if it was the construction they warned about on a sign in the elevator (and nowhere else. I wish I had known before booking) or just other guests and a total lack of soundproofing. I booked a different hotel at 3am on my first night once I realized I would get no sleep during my stay, and I just paid for two hotels for that night. That was the correct decision.

The staff were very difficult to work with about receiving a package containing a forgotten computer mouse from my previous hotel. Their excuses were ridiculous; they clearly thought I would try to not pay them the 990 yen (!) delivery fee. They made it difficult for no reason whatsoever.

If you’ve read all this and still book this hotel then please imagine me saying “I told you so” when you realize your...

Rooms are small but very comfortable and functional. I really like that the TV is a Smart TV with many video streaming apps already installed.

However, unfortunately, customer service was poor:

On the day of check-in (July 10): The staff who helped me check in spoke Japanese keigo extremely quickly. As a foreigner whose Japanese language ability is only so-so, I couldn’t understand her clearly and had to ask her to repeat many times. Yet every time she repeated herself, she still spoke just as quickly. I think it’s basic customer service and common sense that when someone keeps asking you to repeat yourself, especially if they are clearly foreigners, you should slow down? It felt like she just didn’t care and was being somewhat racist towards me.

On the second day of my stay (slightly after midnight on July 12), I asked if I could extend my stay for one night (because as I mentioned above, the rooms were great). The staff at the desk checked and just told me “We are fully booked”. No “Sorry” or “I’m afraid” or anything like that. I can understand that I can’t extend because it’s fully booked, but where is basic customer service and manners? I felt this was extremely dismissive and rude.

Nearby APA Hotel’s staff were much more kind and polite. It’s such a pity because I actually think the rooms...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at a charming small hotel in Ueno, and I can’t recommend it enough! The location is simply unbeatable, with the Ginza Line just a footstep away, making it incredibly easy to navigate the city. We came back at Ueno station from our snowboard trip. Whether you want to explore the bustling streets of Akihabara or visit the serene Ueno Park, public transport options are right at your doorstep.The hotel itself exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff were friendly and attentive, always ready to assist with any questions or recommendations. My room was cozy and well-appointed, providing a perfect retreat after a day of sightseeing. Be aware that the room sizes in Japan are usually tiny. The area around the hotel is vibrant, filled with delightful tax free shops and many street foot options giving you a taste of local life.Overall, this hotel is an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore Tokyo with convenience and comfort. I can't...