Ushioda Shrine Tours and Activities

Good

This was our 2nd time staying in the Granbell in our 4 trips to Japan we usually start our trip off in Shinjuku. Our first trip 4 years ago the hotel seemed much better kept the staff welcomed you on arrival and greeted you leaveing and comming or at least acknowledged you existed. The hotel was clean and area seemed fairly good. We did notice a few things on the trip that we brushed off until this particular stay. The hotel room was getting fairly old and had alot of damaged stuff. When we arrived the hotel staff barely looked up from the desk or said a full sentence past check in at the computer screen. It was very impersonal compared to our first visit. The water pressure & temperature kept changing constantly and the fan in the bathroom did not work at all causing the entire room to fog up and be unbearable. The 2nd evening We returned and noticed the room cleaning had been completed and we went to go to sleep. There was a massive blood streak going down the supposed clean sheets... no idea how house keeping did not see this. Each night walking into the hotel you would see massive G wagon SUV's, the drivers staring you down with tear drop tattoos & had what was clearly a prostitute being dropped off at the hotel for servicing this happened multiple nights including our first stay 4 years ago. I am almost 80-90% covered with tattoos and it did not give the safest feeling. No key cards anyone can go to any floor staying at the hotel or not. I have no room left to write.

The property was an impressive at first impression. Once we went to our room it was even more impressive. The view from our room was more than expectation. We could see the pagoda and the mist every hour from our room. Breakfast was below par for buffet. Food was semi cold and the options is also below expectation. The hotel had the buffet in a what look like conference room with no window. While the upstairs main dining room have an excellent view with no business during that time. Only flaw. A bit far from Gina. It’s worth the hike. We found several local restaurants that was excellent for lunch and dinner. I would stay here again. If you book, make sure it’s the garden view room. Arrive on the weekend for buffet and individual breakfast the rest of the time.