H2O Stay Ikebukuro 302: Tokyo's BEST Kept Secret Hotel?!
H2O Stay Ikebukuro 302: Tokyo's BEST Kept Secret Hotel?!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the…well, I’m not even sure what yet. A hotel review? A therapy session? A drunken rant about complimentary shampoo? Let's find out! Because let’s be honest, meticulously organizing this hotel's offerings is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But hey, I’m here for it…or at least, I was after that double espresso.
(Meta-Data Magic – because, SEO, right?)
- Keywords (Grab Bag): Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Fitness Center, Cleanliness, COVID Safety, Airport Transfer, Luxury Hotel, Pet-Friendly (Hopefully!), Family Friendly, Asian Cuisine, International Cuisine, Breakfast Buffet. (Ugh, that was exhausting.)
(The Actual Hotel – Probably Called “The Grand Whatchamacallit,” or Something Equally Bland)
Right, so the premise here is, they’re selling us a dream, aren’t they? A luxury escape, a blissful retreat…blah, blah, blah. Let's get real, shall we?
Arrival:
First impressions. That's everything, right? Did the doorman actually open the door for me, or did I have to wrestle with it, my luggage threatening to topple me into the perfectly manicured (and utterly pointless) flowerbeds? Little things, people, little things. The "doorman" was a teenager with a blank stare, but at least the valet parking was swift. And FREE! That's a win in my book.
Accessibility (Because, you know, inclusive)
Okay, they say they're accessible. We're promised “Facilities for disabled guests.” Right. Well, here's the thing: saying and doing are two different animals. Were there ramps? Check. Did the elevators actually work? Double check (thank God). Accessible rooms? Yep, on the list. However, I heard someone struggling with a particularly stubborn door lock - I'm just saying, accessibility is a journey, not a destination, folks. And it’s a journey that requires more than just a few hastily bolted-on ramps.
On-site Restaurant/Lounges:
Let’s talk food, the lifeblood of any worthwhile hotel stay. Reviews I’ve read said there were some, "interesting" culinary experiences. Interesting often means “expensive and/or disappointing.” Okay, so there was a "Poolside Bar"… which, granted, was conveniently located near the pool. Cocktails tasted like watered-down sadness. But hey, at least the view was nice, the pool was big, and that's something.
Internet! Oh, the Internet!
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! I mean, it’s 2024, people, it’s practically a basic human right. The Wi-Fi, mercifully, did work. And not just in my room. Public areas too. Fast enough to stream cat videos (crucial), and even mostly reliable. I did have one brief, heart-stopping period of digital darkness, but it snapped back to life. Praise the gods of broadband!
Relaxation & Things To Do
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Ah, the holy trinity of self-indulgence. This is where the hotel should shine. And, honestly, it mostly did. The sauna was properly hot, the steamroom steamy, and the pool with a view? Spectacular, a true showstopper. However, I did witness a person hogging the prime jacuzzi spot, and engaging in a vigorous debate with the bubbles. That kind of thing can really…kill the vibe, you know?
- Fitness Center: Basic gym. Treadmills, weights. Did the job, nothing to write home about. I did have a moment of pure, unadulterated vanity trying to take a selfie in the gym's mirror, it was bad, very, very bad.
- Massage, Body Scrub, Body Wrap: Ah, yes the expensive extras. The massage was really good, I think. I may have fallen asleep. The body scrub felt like a small kitten was relentlessly licking my skin, and the body wrap…I’m not sure what it did, but my skin felt…different afterward.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, COVID…ugh)
Okay, so they’re trying. “Anti-viral cleaning products,” “Room sanitization opt-out” (good for your inner germaphobe). “Individually-wrapped food options” (sigh, the future is bleak). Hand sanitizer everywhere! Staff trained in safety protocols! The whole shebang! Frankly, after the last few years, this is probably the most important section of the review. They did a decent job, you know?
Dining, Drinking & Snacking
- Breakfast Buffet: Yes, there’s a buffet. And, I’m sorry, but I love a buffet. Nothing cures a hangover like a mountain of lukewarm scrambled eggs and questionable sausages. There was an Asian breakfast option (yes, I tried the fermented tofu – regrets). International cuisine? Sure, somewhere in the general vicinity. Western? Yep. Coffee, tea, juice…the whole shebang. It was…fine. Decent. The best part? The guy on the omelet station, who was a total pro. Bravo to him.
- Restaurants: A la carte menu, and the restaurant had a certain ambiance. I will admit, the "desserts in [the] restaurant" section was very good.
- Room Service: 24-hour service! This is probably the best aspect of the hotel!
Services & Conveniences
- Concierge: Helpful. Not, like, mind-reading helpful. But got the job done, at least.
- Dry Cleaning, Laundry Service, Ironing Service: Check, check, check. Convenient. I used the laundry service. Cost a small fortune. But, hey, clean clothes are nice, right?
- Elevator: It worked!
- Gift Shop: Full of overpriced…stuff. You know.
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities: Didn't use them, but they seemed…functional.
- Doorman: He was there… when he was there.
For the Kids (Because, Family Friendly, they say)
Babysitting service? Check. Kids meals? Probably. The whole family friendly deal is not my personal cup of tea, but if that's what you seek, be warned.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms:
Ah, the sanctuary. My room was…fine. Clean, with a decent view. The bed was comfortable. "Air conditioning," yes, but not quite the arctic blast I crave. I'm a fan. The "complimentary tea" was, well, I'm sure there was tea in the room. I never actually got around to making any. Extra long bed? Yep, which was great because my legs are absurdly long. The view was mostly of someone else's hotel room. A small, but distinct disappointment.. Wi-Fi worked. The bathroom was clean, and the toiletries didn't smell like old gym socks.
Getting Around
- Airport Transfer: Excellent! Efficient, comfortable. A big win.
- Car Park [Free of Charge]: Score!
Overall Vibe (The Messy, Human Part)
Honestly, it was…okay. Not mind-blowing, but not terrible. This is probably a good hotel, with some flaws, or maybe the hotel simply wasn't playing to my tastes today. There were moments of genuine pleasure, but equally, moments of minor annoyance. The staff ranged from stellar to…well, less so. But that’s life, isn't it? Messy, imperfect, and sometimes, downright strange. And that, in a nutshell, is this hotel review.
Final Grade: B+ Would recommend to anyone who has a credit card.
Ibiza Villa Paradise: Private Pool, BBQ & Unforgettable Views!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your average, perfectly curated travel itinerary. This is…well, it’s me, trying to survive Tokyo, mostly fueled by convenience store snacks and sheer stubbornness, from my little H2O Stay bubble in Ikebukuro. Here goes nothing:
Tokyo Tango – or, You've Got a Reservation (And Probably Jet Lag):
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Convenience Store Conquest (aka, "What Even Is That Purple Drink?")
- 14:00 - 15:00: Arrive at Narita (NRT). The absolute joy of finally escaping the airplane prison! Seriously, I swear my legs were permanently molded into a pretzel from that flight. Passport control felt like forever but finally I was free. After a slow hike through the customs I am free.
- 15:00 - 16:00: Train to Ikebukuro. Tokyo, in all its overwhelming glory, started to hit me. The train was PACKED, even with all my luggage. The announcements were a blur of rapid-fire Japanese, I could barely tell what was happening. But hey, I managed to purchase a Suica card and a seat, so I'm calling that a win.
- 16:00 - 16:30: Check-in at H2O Stay Ikebukuro 302 (finally!). The room is tiny, and I mean really tiny. But, hey, it's clean, looks comfy, and has a washing machine, which after that very long flight is a godsend! Seriously, I think I might just live in these pajamas for the next week.
- 16:30 - 19:00: Convenience store raid! The holy trinity: 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart. This is where the real adventure begins, right? I mean, so many weird and wonderful snacks. I bought some onigiri (rice balls), instant ramen (a must-try), and a mysterious purple drink with, like, a hundred ingredients I couldn't pronounce. I'm pretty sure it's going to alter my DNA but worth it.
- 19:00 onwards: Collapse. Netflix, jet lag, and the faint promise of a future where I understand what "konnichiwa" means.
Day 2: Shinjuku Shakedown & Lost in Translation (Again)
- 09:00: Wake up disoriented and completely unsure of the day, I should try to get in the shower but I'm not sure.
- 10:00: Finally, Shower. The bathroom in my little apartment is great after all!
- 11:00 - 13:00: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Oh. My. God. Seriously, do yourself a favor and go here. It's like stepping into a painting after the urban chaos. I took a wrong turn here: I didn't know I was going the wrong way until I was well and truly lost. A kind lady with a smile and a surprising understanding of my desperate charade of English. I swear the garden was going to explode in my face.
- 13:00 - 14:00: Lunch near Shinjuku Station. Found a ramen place. It smelled fantastic, and the line was a mile long, which is always a good sign, right? The machine that you buy your ticket from was a nightmare and I just pointed at a picture, I hope i got something edible. I ended up with a giant bowl of deliciousness.
- 14:00 - 16:00: Shinjuku Gyoen again, wandering until I can't walk. The afternoon light here is incredible, I swear this place is something else.
- 16:00 - 17:00: Disaster struck! I tried to navigate the Shinjuku train station…and ended up on three different platforms, feeling increasingly panicked and convinced I’d accidentally become a fixture in a never-ending loop of commuter hell. Finally, stumbled back into Ikebukuro by sheer luck.
- 17:00 - 19:00: Comfort food and a desperate attempt to decipher a Japanese train map. More ramen, and maybe a cry.
Day 3: Harajuku Hysteria & The Quest for the Perfect Crepe
- 10:00: Stumbled out of bed because the jet lag is still messing with me.
- 11:00 - 13:00: Harajuku, the land of candy-colored dreams and a million teenagers. The fashion is absolutely insane, in the best possible way. I saw so many amazing outfits. Took a million photos, not one great one.
- 13:00 - 14:00: The quest for the perfect crepe on Takeshita Street. This was serious business. I waited in line for an eternity, then inhaled a strawberry and cream confection. It was delicious and I felt like a giddy child!
- 14:00 - 16:00: Meiji Jingu Shrine. Needed to get away from the crowds. It was peaceful, calming, and a great reminder that this place is all about balance.
- 16:00 - 18:00: Back to Harajuku because, well, I wasn't done.
- 18:00 onwards: Dinner in Shibuya. Still can't cross the famous scramble crossing without feeling like I'm going to die. After dinner, I went back to the hotel early.
Day 4: Akihabara & The Robot Restaurant (Prepare Yourself)
- 10:00: I think I am finally used to Japanese bathrooms, which is an accomplishment.
- 11:00 - 14:00: Akihabara. Otaku central! So many electronics stores, arcades, and… well, everything. I'm not into anime and manga, but the whole atmosphere is so cool, I still spent way too long wandering around.
- 14:00 - 16:00: Robot Restaurant. Okay, buckle up, because this is a whole other level of crazy! It was loud, it was colorful, it was bizarre. Did I understand what was happening? Absolutely not. Did I have a blast? Yes. Totally. I have no words.
- 17:00 - 19:00: Dinner and decompressing, maybe by reading a book.
- 19:00 onwards: Early night and the thought of what the hell I will be doing tomorrow.
Day 5: Day Trip to Something (I Hope!)
- 09:00: Wake up, stare blankly at the itinerary, and realize I’m supposed to actually plan a day trip.
- 10:00: Research. This is where the real chaos begins. I'm torn between Hakone (mountains and art) and Kamakura (giant Buddha statue). All options are pretty much overwhelming, there are too many options!
- 12:00 - 18:00: Day trip, wherever I decide to go (TBD, probably a blur of trains, temples, and a desperate need for a bathroom).
- 18:00 onwards: Back to my little room, covered in dirt and a vague sense of accomplishment.
Day 6: Ikebukuro & The Final Convenience Store Ritual
- 10:00: Finally, got some sleep.
- 11:00: Exploring Ikebukuro. I never really had the chance to look around properly. Found a great park, a cool shop to buy some random souvenirs, and I'm pretty sure I got lost for a while in a department store.
- 13:00: Lunch. Went to a small ramen place down the block from the apartment.
- 15:00 - 18:00: Final convenience store run. Gotta stock up on snacks for the journey home. Also, buying everything I couldn't bring myself to buy earlier.
- 18:00 onwards: Packing and processing the trip, I can't wait to go home, but I don't want to leave either.
Day 7: Departure & The Post-Travel Blues
- 06:00: Wake up, pack the last things, and have one last look at my little room.
- 07:00: Check out.
- 07:00 - 09:00: Train ride to Narita airport (NRT).
- 09:00 onwards: Fly home, nursing a slightly bruised ego, a suitcase full of weird snacks, and a heart full of memories. The feeling of "What just happened" is the most real I am feeling right now.
Emotional Breakdown/Reactions:
- The Jet Lag Beast: It's real. It's unforgiving. It will attack at 3
So, what even *is* "Life Stuff," anyway? Sounds vague.
Ugh, right? It's intentionally vague. Think of it as the catch-all for everything that makes you sigh, laugh, cry, and question your life choices... all in the space of, like, an hour. It's the big stuff – career, relationships, finding meaning – and the small stuff – what to have for dinner, remembering to pay your electricity bill (again!). It's the universe's way of saying, "Surprise! Here's a never-ending to-do list with a side of existential dread." Honestly, I think it changes day by day. One day it's conquering the world, another it's finding two socks that match.
Okay, maybe I'm getting it. But how do I even *start* tackling this "Life Stuff"? Feels overwhelming.
Overwhelming? Honey, that's the *point*. My advice? Don't. Seriously. Don't try to tackle it all at once. I tried that once – planned to be a CEO, a marathon runner, and learn to speak fluent Swedish *all in the same week*. Let's just say my apartment looked like a motivational poster graveyard after a few days (and my Swedish was limited to "Hej, jag mår bra," which is the extent of my life experience with that language). Start *tiny*. Is your inbox a disaster zone? Clear out 10 emails. Feel like you're in a rut? Go for a walk. The key is momentum. Small wins build up, and eventually, you'll be surprised by how far you've come. Also, ice cream usually helps. Just saying.
What if I'm constantly failing? It feels like all I do is mess up.
Oh, darling, welcome to the club. I'm the president. Seriously, failure is part of the process. We're all just winging it, pretending we know what we're doing. I once tried to bake a cake for my boss's birthday. I followed the recipe *exactly*. It was supposed to be a cute little carrot cake. Instead, it looked like a volcanic eruption of carrot-flavored cement. I was mortified! But you know what? My colleagues laughed. They said it was so bad, it was almost good (almost!). The point? Everyone messes up. Learn from it, laugh about it, and then try again (or maybe buy a cake next time!). And maybe, just maybe, don't try baking on a day you're already stressed. Trust me, it's a recipe for disaster.
How do I deal with the pressure to "succeed"? It feels like everyone else has it figured out.
Ugh, the *pressure*. Society, social media, your Aunt Mildred... it's relentless! Let me tell you a secret: no one has it figured out. Seriously. We're all faking it 'til we make it. Those seemingly perfect Instagram feeds? Curated highlight reels. People cherry-pick the successes and hide the breakdowns. I once spent a *week* trying to perfect a sourdough starter (it was going to be my "thing"). It smelled like a combination of gym socks and despair. That's all I got, despair. So just stop comparing yourself. Focus on *your* definition of success. It might be finishing a book. It might be surviving the day without crying. It's *your* journey. And honestly? If you're wearing clean underwear, you're already winning (it builds on a small win!).
What about relationships? They're so… complicated.
Complicated is an understatement! Relationships are a minefield, a rollercoaster, a never-ending source of both joy and existential dread. Romantic relationships? Good luck. Friends? They'll stab you in the back, but you forgive them because you love them. Family? They're even *worse*, somehow! My take? Communication is key. So is setting boundaries. And sometimes, you just gotta walk away. It's hard. It hurts. But sometimes, it's the only way to protect your sanity. The hardest part is that you're always learning. People change, and what worked yesterday may not work today. The only constant is the *need* for connection, even if it's to yell at someone about their awful taste in music.
I'm struggling with my career. Feeling lost and unfulfilled. Any advice?
Oh, honey, the career conundrum. So many of us feel this way! It's like, you're supposed to know what you want to do for the rest of your *life* at the ripe old age of… well, whenever. I once took a job I thought I wanted, with a fancy title and everything. Turns out, I was miserable. The commute was awful, the people were… well, let's just say I learned a lot about passive-aggressive office politics. It was a nightmare! But it taught me what I definitely *didn't* want. My advice? Explore. Try different things. Internships, volunteer work, side hustles – anything to get a feel for what sparks your interest. And don't be afraid to pivot. It's okay to change your mind. It's okay to not know. It's all a journey… a long, winding, often confusing journey, but a journey Nonetheless! And if ALL else fails, there's always that cat-video producing job.
What about money? It's always a stressor.
Money, the root of all… well, not *all* evil, but certainly a significant portion of our daily anxiety. From budgeting to bills to the crushing weight of student loans, it's a constant battle! I once tried to be "frugal," which, in my case, meant eating nothing but ramen noodles and generic brand peanut butter for a month. Seriously, it was *awful*. I dreamt of avocados and actual, fresh vegetables. The point is, it's hard! Learn to budget. Set financial goals (even small ones, saving $5 a week is a start). Try to find ways to earn extra income (if you can stand it!). And, most importantly, don't beat yourself up. It's okay to have a bad month, or a bad *year*. We're all navigating this crazy economy together. Plus, can we all agree avocado toast is now a luxury item? It's absurd!
How do I deal with anxiety and stress? It's crippling.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Benefit Plaza Hotel, Voronezh!
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