Nagoya's BEST Smile Hotel: Shinkansen Station Access!
Nagoya's BEST Smile Hotel: Shinkansen Station Access! – My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Review
Okay, buckle up folks, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Nagoya and I'm ready to spill the tea (or, you know, the Matcha latte I had at the hotel). I stayed at Nagoya's BEST Smile Hotel: Shinkansen Station Access! – and let me tell you, the name pretty much sums it up. But hey, let's get to the nitty-gritty, shall we? This is gonna be… well, it's gonna be me.
Accessibility: Top Marks, Seriously!
First things first: Accessibility is a HUGE win. You know, as someone who's seen hotels that claim to be accessible, and…aren't… this place actually gets it. The location, as the name suggests, is right there at the Shinkansen station. Like, stumble-out-of-the-train-and-into-the-lobby close! That's a lifesaver, especially if you've got luggage or mobility issues. The elevator situation? Smooth sailing. Hallways? Wide. (I'm not in a wheelchair or have any mobility issues, but I still appreciate a well-designed and accessible space. It's just…better for everyone.)
Rooms: Cozy Comfort (and Free Wi-Fi, Hallelujah!)
My room? Clean, functional, and surprisingly comfortable. I'm talking Air conditioning that actually works (a blessing in sweltering Japanese summers!) and Blackout curtains – perfect for vanquishing jet lag. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! Thank the hotel gods! I could actually, you know, work without having to pay for a Wi-Fi plan that costs more than my rent back home. They also have Internet access – LAN, which is a bonus for the tech-savvy traveler. Complimentary tea and yes Free bottled water in the room - little things that make the difference after a long travel day. And daily housekeeping. Always a plus!
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe, Feeling Good!
Okay, in the post-pandemic world, cleanliness is non-negotiable. And Nagoya's BEST Smile Hotel delivers! Seriously, the place just felt clean. I didn't see any of your 'ick' zones anywhere, and I certainly appreciate the Anti-viral cleaning products, Rooms sanitized between stays, and the Daily disinfection in common areas. The staff seemed genuinely committed to keeping the place spotless. And the presence of Hand sanitizer stations everywhere was comforting. They even boast Hygiene certification which is a bonus!
Safety/Security Features: Peace of Mind
Besides the obvious cleanliness, the Safety/security feature of the hotel stood out, with CCTV in common areas, Security [24-hour], Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, and Safety/security feature in the room. It really put my mind at ease knowing the hotel was focused on guest safety.
Stuff to Do & Ways to Relax: Sauna? Yes, Please! (Wish I had tried everything)
Alright, let's be honest, I didn't have time to explore everything. Work and all the adventures of a bustling city called! Still, I could see the hotel had all sorts of options to relax. The Gym/fitness center looked pretty decent, but I, sadly, skipped the workout. No Pool with view or Swimming pool [outdoor] this time, nor did I make it to the Spa/sauna. Sigh. I did see the promise of a Sauna and Steamroom though! It's on the list for next time.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast Buffet Bliss! (And That Room Service…)
The Breakfast [buffet]? Breakfast [buffet]? Glorious. Just…glorious. They had everything – Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, all the usual suspects. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was good, too, and the Desserts in restaurant were tempting. I managed to avoid Room service [24-hour]. And that's probably a good thing. The thought of endless night-time snacks just because I could was…dangerous.
Services and Conveniences: Smooth Sailing!
The Concierge was super helpful, pointing me in the right direction for, basically, everything. The Daily housekeeping was efficient (and discreet). Dry cleaning and Laundry service: both great. Elevator, naturally. Luggage storage was a lifesaver on my last day. The Cash withdrawal service was crucial. But perhaps one of the best things of all: Contactless check-in/out, because who wants to be fumbling with paperwork after a long flight?!
For the Kids: Family Friendly (at Least from the Outside!)
I didn't travel with kids, but the hotel seemed family-friendly. They had mention the option of Babysitting service. And I did spot some Kids facilities.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location!
I've already mentioned the Airport transfer! It's a huge plus. The hotel is right by the station, so Taxi service, and public transport is at your fingertips. They even have Car park [free of charge], so parking will be easy even if I end up traveling with my own car.
My (Somewhat Messy) Verdict:
This hotel? I'd absolutely stay here again. Nagoya's BEST Smile Hotel: Shinkansen Station Access! is a solid choice for anyone visiting Nagoya. It’s clean, convenient, safe, and comfortable. The accessibility is a huge selling point, and the staff is genuinely friendly I'd give it a solid 4.5/5 stars!
Quirky Observations & Feelings:
- The soundproofing in the rooms is amazing. I barely heard any noise, which is remarkable considering the hotel's proximity to the station.
- I REALLY wish I had the time for the spa! Next time, for sure.
- I was so exhausted on one particular night (after a VERY long day of exploring) that I almost ordered room service just for the heck of it. I was this close!
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Escape to Nagoya with Ease! Book your stay at Nagoya's BEST Smile Hotel: Shinkansen Station Access! and unlock a stress-free travel experience! Located right at the Shinkansen station, our hotel offers unparalleled convenience for both business and leisure travelers.
Here's why you'll LOVE your stay:
- Unbeatable Accessibility: Arrive and depart with ease! Our prime location at the Shinkansen station makes us the perfect choice for hassle-free travel.
- Comfort & Convenience: Relax in our clean, modern rooms equipped with free Wi-Fi, blackout curtains, and all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.
- Delicious Dining: Fuel your adventures with our delicious breakfast buffet, offering a variety of Asian and Western options. (Trust me, the coffee is good!)
- Relax & Rejuvenate: Unwind after a day of exploring! While I didn't get the chance to try the spa, I heard the sauna, and steamroom are awesome!
- Safety First: Rest assured with our commitment to cleanliness and safety. We offer anti-viral cleaning products.
Book Now and Get:
- Free Wi-Fi in every room! Stay connected effortlessly.
- Friendly & Helpful Staff: Our team is dedicated to making your stay memorable.
- Prime Location: Explore Nagoya with ease, thanks to our central location.
- Stress-Free Check-in/out: Contactless options for your peace of mind.
Don't miss out on the best hotel experience in Nagoya! Book your stay at Nagoya's BEST Smile Hotel: Shinkansen Station Access! today and experience the difference!
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Final note: This is my honest (and hopefully helpful) review. You may have a different experience, but I hope you love it as much as I did. Happy travels!
Parkwood Inn & Suites: Your Dream US Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the chaotic, beautiful mess that is my Smile Hotel Nagoyashinkansenguchi adventure! Forget perfect schedules, this is real life, and it's gonna get gloriously, sometimes tragically, messy.
Day 1: Lost in Translation (and Love of Vending Machines)
- 10:00 AM (Roughly): Arrival at Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). Jet lag is a beast. Swear I blinked and the whole world shifted. First order of business? Find this damn hotel. Should've downloaded offline maps. Genius.
- 11:00 AM (ish): Train to Nagoya Station. Successfully navigated the ticket machines! Triumph! And then, the train. Oh. My. God. So. Many. People. And I'm lugging that suitcase that's clearly conspiring against me. Nearly tripped over a tiny, adorable Shiba Inu. Almost lost it, wanted to take it home. But I'm responsible. Ish.
- 12:00 PM (Approximately): Arrived at Nagoya Station, which is, and I'm not exaggerating, a labyrinth designed by a sadist. Wandering around, getting increasingly hangry. Found a convenience store - bless its tiny soul. Grabbed some weird-looking, yet utterly delicious, onigiri (rice balls). Regretting the lack of a universal translator app. "Excuse me, where is… uh…" gestures vaguely
- 1:00 PM (Eventually): FINALLY found the Smile Hotel Nagoyashinkansenguchi. It’s… functional. Clean, efficient, and small enough to make my claustrophobia act up a little. Check-in: a blur of bowing and polite Japanese I barely understood. Ah, the joys of being a foreigner.
- 2:00 PM (Immediately After): Vending Machine Mania! Seriously, Japan and its vending machines! Lost an entire hour trying to decide between weird flavored sodas, hot coffee in a can (which is surprisingly good!), and a bizarre green tea concoction. It was a truly life-changing experience. Almost accidentally bought a tiny, stuffed Pikachu. Resisted the urge. Mostly.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Wander around and try not to die. Headed outside to find food. I'm going to be honest; I have no idea what I'm eating most of the time. Everything is delicious. Took a wrong turn, ended up by a pachinko parlor. The noise! The flashing lights! The general air of organized chaos! I was both terrified and strangely intrigued. Briefly considered learning to play. Decided it was probably a bad idea. Walked on.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner! Found a tiny ramen shop near the hotel. The broth was liquid gold, the noodles were perfect, and the other customers stared at me like I was an alien. Worth it! It was so damn good I was tempted to order a second bowl. I resisted… until I didn't. No regrets.
Day 2: The Castle (and The Great Matcha Crisis)
- 9:00 AM (Actually): Breakfast at the hotel. Standard fare, but the little rice crackers? Addictive. I ate far too many.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Nagoya Castle! Majestic. Impressive. Slightly overwhelming in the humidity. The architecture is stunning, the history fascinating. But, and this is a big but, it was packed. Seriously, elbow-to-elbow with tourists. Worth it, though, to see the golden shachihoko (mythical fish-tiger things) on the roof. Did you know they're meant to ward off fires? Smart.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Trying to find a place to eat near the Castle. Failed. Ended up at the Castle Food Court again. More sushi. More joy. I was even beginning to be able to differentiate the types of fish.
- 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: OMG. Matcha. I became obsessed. The first time I had Matcha, it hit me in the soul. The green tea was like, the best moment of the trip, and it's all I will remember. I spent a glorious hour at a matcha shop, indulging in matcha lattes, matcha ice cream, matcha cheesecake… basically, any variation of matcha. My tastebuds exploded. I briefly considered buying a matcha whisk and a mountain of green tea powder to bring back home. Then I remembered my very limited cooking skills. The end.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Recovering from my matcha sugar rush. Stumbled back to the hotel. The walk back was a blur of sensory overload. Blasting the AC in my room and taking a nap was my only real option.
- 7:00 PM: Found a local izakaya (pub). More food! More drinks! More… gestures vaguely… everything. The small talk with the local patrons was fun. They tried to teach me to say "kanpai" (cheers). I, in turn, attempted to explain the concept of the American "tailgate" party. We were both bewildered, but we understood.
Day 3: Departure (and the Last, Desperate Vending Machine Run)
- 8:00 AM: Last breakfast. Sigh.
- 9:00 AM: Checked out of the hotel. This time, I actually understood the goodbye bowing. Progress!
- 10:00 AM (Approximately): FINAL VENDING MACHINE RUN! One last, desperate attempt to find something truly bizarre. Found a drink that tasted like a mix of citrus and sadness, but I drank it anyway. For the experience!
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Train to Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). The journey back was a blur of exhaustion, reflection, and the overwhelming sense that I'd only scratched the surface of this amazing country.
- 1:00 PM (Roughly): Flight. The flight home felt like a dream. I knew I needed to do more, and return soon. Japan, you have my heart.
And that, my friends, is a tiny snippet of my adventure. It wasn't perfect, it definitely wasn't always pretty, but it was real. And that's the most important thing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go dream about matcha. And maybe try to find a vending machine.
Escape to Comfort: Las Cruces' BEST I-25 North Hotel!
Nagoya's BEST Smile Hotel: Shinkansen Station Access - The Unfiltered FAQs!
Is this Smile Hotel REALLY as close to Nagoya Station as everyone says? Because my legs are already screaming just thinking about it...
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because YES. Seriously, YES. I've stayed there like, a dozen times now, and the walk? It's pathetic. Like, if you're moving at a snail's pace with a suitcase bigger than a small car (which, let's be honest, I often am), you're looking at maybe...seven minutes? Ten if you get distracted by the amazing takoyaki stalls on the way (and trust me, you WILL get distracted. I once nearly missed a Shinkansen because of glorious, molten octopus balls. Totally worth it, though).
It’s seriously the *best* after a long train ride. Especially if you've just spent three hours squished next to a guy with a questionable sandwich. Freedom! Sweet, Glorious Freedom… from smelly sandwiches! And that feeling of knowing you can practically *roll* into bed? Priceless.
What's the actual, real-life experience of checking in after a long journey? Is it a nightmare?
Okay, let’s be real. Check-in *everywhere* can be a gamble. But at the Smile Hotel? I've had everything from a smooth, silent operation (bliss!) to a slightly frazzled experience. Once, the poor desk clerk was juggling three other guests, a ringing phone, and what looked like a rogue packet of wasabi peas that exploded on the counter. She still managed a smile! (And I felt really bad, but also… mildly entertained. Sorry, wasabi peas.)
Mostly, though, it's painless. They understand jet lag. They get you want to drop your bags and collapse. They're efficient. They're polite. Sometimes I even get a little “welcome back” which is always sweet. Bonus: If you're REALLY struggling, they usually have luggage carts. Use them! Don't be a hero. Your back will thank you later. I swear, the worst part is usually *me* standing there, trying to remember my last name after a 16 hour flight.
Is the breakfast any good? I need my morning fuel! And I’m a picky eater, so don’t lie to me!
Okay, breakfast. Here's the truth: it's not Michelin-star worthy. However, it's totally solid, especially for the price of the hotel. They usually have the standard stuff – scrambled eggs (sometimes a little… *wet*, but still edible), sausages, toast, rice, miso soup, and often a selection of Japanese breakfast staples like fish. And the coffee is, well, *coffee*. It gets the job done.
The best part? They usually have some kind of pastries. I'm a sucker for a good croissant, and while they're not from a Parisian bakery, they're a decent, carb-filled start to the day. They also usually have a salad bar, which is a lifesaver after all the ramen I’ve undoubtedly consumed the night before. So, if you’re looking for something fancy, look elsewhere. But if you want a decent, filling breakfast to get you going, you're set. It's the perfect fuel for a day of exploring Nagoya, or just, you know, surviving another Shinkansen ride.
Room sizes? I'm claustrophobic. Will I be trapped in a sardine tin?
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room. Japanese hotel rooms are famously… compact. The Smile Hotel is no exception. Are they palatial suites? Absolutely not. Are they livable? Yes, absolutely. You're not going to be doing cartwheels in your room, but you can comfortably move around, store your luggage (usually cleverly under the bed, or against a wall), and actually, you *can* relax.
I am, by the way, fairly claustrophobic. And I've never felt trapped. The rooms are well-designed, with everything you need, and the lack of unnecessary clutter actually adds to the feeling of spaciousness. Just don't expect to host a party. Maybe a quiet solo tea ceremony, tops. But honestly? The proximity to the station makes up for any potential room size woes. You'll be out exploring Nagoya before you know it!
What's the Wi-Fi like? Because I need to update my Instagram feed… priorities, people!
Look, I get it. We all need to document our amazing lives on the 'gram. The Wi-Fi at the Smile Hotel is generally pretty good. I’ve streamed Netflix, video-called my mom (sorry, Mom, for letting you see my post-flight hair…again), and uploaded enough pictures of food to make even Gordon Ramsay raise an eyebrow.
Occasionally, it can be a little slow during peak hours (like, say, when everyone is checking their stocks and trying to book all the last minute seats on the shinkansen on the same time), but mostly, it's perfectly adequate. You'll be able to upload those stunning photos of Nagoya Castle in no time! Unless, of course, you're too busy eating takoyaki…
Any hidden downsides? Like, do they have a ghost that steals your socks?
Okay, let's be brutally honest. The Smile Hotel isn't perfect. Here’s what I've experienced, the things nobody tells you because they want to keep it on the down-low:
- **The Laundry Room:** Yeah, good luck snagging a dryer sometimes. It's a real battle. Pro Tip: Hang your stuff to dry!
- **The Elevator:** During peak travel times (like during the Cherry Blossom festival or Golden Week), the elevators can be a NIGHTMARE. Prepare for delays, and try to be patient. Or, you know, take the stairs. (Sometimes I do this, and I'm not even particularly athletic.)
- **The View:** Let's be real. The view isn't going to be epic. You're likely looking at other buildings. Don't expect a stunning cityscape, and you won't be disappointed.
- **The Ghosts:** No ghosts that I know of. But hey, I haven't checked under the beds with a UV light… just kidding! (Mostly.)
But honestly? These are minor inconveniences. The convenience of the location more than makes up for it. The convenience *of* the location, right?
Okay, you clearly *like* this hotel. What's your most memorable experience there? (And try not to be a total weirdo.)
Alright, alright, you got me. I *do* love this hotel. And I have *plenty* of stories, believe me. But my MOST memorable? OkayHotelish
