Nikko Station Hotel Classic

Charming no frills 3-star hotel; great central location within walking distance to both train stations, bus station to the tourist sites, restaurants and cafes. Located 7 min walk from a large supermarket to get all your f&b essentials. Staff are friendly and helpful, and speak English. Rooms are a little dated but adequately furnished and large sized for Japanese standards. Worth the sacrifice of luxury for convenience. Across from train station to catch the JR trains, and rental car company (mandatory to have international drivers license to rent car). Hotel will give rate discount if you don't need your room cleaned everyday during your stay but will provide fresh towels daily. Free coffee and green tea sachets, available at lobby. Good breakfast buffet spread. Cheaper to buy at reception than when purchased with room rate.

The reason why I chose this hotel is that it is close to Nikko Station and the website claims that the rooms can enjoy the elegant view of the antique station. So I sacrificed part of my trip and checked in early before the sun went down. I wanted to make coffee in the room and enjoy some romantic atmosphere with my wife. Unexpectedly, when I entered the room, I found it was on the "back side" of the hotel, facing the telephone poles and the roof, and the space was narrow. I Immediately went downstairs and requested to change to the "JR Nikko Station View(JR日光駅を眺め)room listed on the hotel's official website. After some negotiations, the senior staff on duty at the counter insisted that there was no room to change, and also suggested that we can cancel the reservation unconditionally. Since our protest was ineffective, we had to sit in the lobby and look for other hotels. The lady at the counter suddenly appeared, handed us a key, asked, "Is this okay?", and then took us upstairs gently and kindly. The new room was actually a side room with windows on two sides, overlooking the distant mountains and Nikko Station. It's spacious and comfortable! We are glad that we worked hard changing the room and were lucky enough to stay and have a great time. The hotel's equipment is elegant, and the Western-style catering chef prepares the meals carefully. His omelet is especially unforgettable. Shaking the pot vigorously, it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The team is worthy of praise. Aside from the discomfort of the negotiation process, this is a hotel worth stopping at.

The hotel is situated within 5 minutes walk from the Tobu rail station with the Nikko tourists bus station right across the street from the hotel. Though the receptionist spoke limited English, in combination of gestures and what he did know, we did not have problem understanding him. Coffee and tea packets are all free for the taking at the front lobby, along with having a electric kettle in the room, we were set with our morning coffee. By no means is this hotel modern. The room is dated and the mattress is a little soft; however, we did not stay in our room much as we spent most of our time exploring the natural beauty that's in the area. The hotel has a restaurant and offers mineral bath which I wished I had taken advantage of. As a foreigner visiting Nikko I think this hotel is a very good choice.

Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Room was a bit hot and couldn't open window more than a crack since air control is central I think. Room was very cozy and comfortable. Bed was nice. Tub was good and deep. Go try the sushi shop right around the corner on the south side of the building called Numataya! They are open a little later than all the rest of the places around and have a very cozy style dining. The owners are very friendly and open to using google translate to bridge communication as well. We look forward to staying again in the futute.