Mitsui Garden Hotel Okayama

As a tall westerner, you must be resigned to feeling like you're living in a doll house. At Mitsui Garden, it's a very comfy doll house, at least, and the shower head is placed at a reasonable height (this is becoming my standard for rating hotels). The staff is lovely and helpful, and the location just off the station is easy to work with.

Very bad experience! We ordered this hotel in advance because of good reviews but they failed to mention this hotel is undergoing renovation so there is noise between 09:00-17:00. Had I known I would not have booked this hotel. The drapes are falling apart and old, the window soes not shut entirely so you both feel a cold breeze from outside, as well as hear every noise such as motorcycles. If that is not enough, the A/C did not work and please be aware it is central, so you can't choose between warming or cooling. In addition, they charge a very high amount for sending luggage and you can only pay in cash! The good things were - the hotel is close to the shinkansen station, the room is spacious and the staff are friendly. Overall, I do not recommend staying at this hotel.

Very good location, right by the station, but the rooms are not soundproof at all, you can hear very clearly people walking in the hallway. Despite having the window closed and being on a very high floor, I can still hear all the noises on the street and from the station clearly. The room also stinks and smells like body odor. I tried to ventilate the room by opening the window but nothing helps. So if you are sensitive to sound and to smell I suggest you think twice before booking cuz you might not be able to really fall asleep…