Unbelievable Japan Hotel Deal: Kuretake Inn Premium Numazu!
Unbelievable Japan Hotel Deal: Kuretake Inn Premium Numazu!
Kuretake Inn Premium Numazu: My Unbelievable Japan Hotel Deal – or Was It? A Messy Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to unleash a veritable tsunami of opinions on the Kuretake Inn Premium Numazu. The Unbelievable Japan Hotel Deal tag? Well, let's just say "unbelievable" doesn't always mean "perfect." Let’s dive in, shall we? This is going to be… messy.
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First Impressions & the Accessibility Rollercoaster:
Okay, so the deal itself was… chef's kiss amazing. Seriously, the price made my wallet sing. I’m talking super-budget friendly, almost too good to be true. Which, frankly, is always a little nerve-wracking, right?
Accessibility: This is where things got… interesting. They say accessible, and they do try. There was an elevator, thank GOD, because my legs were already protesting the train journey from Tokyo. (Accessibility: Elevator, Facilities for Disabled Guests) But getting to the accessible rooms? That was a bit of a maze – felt like a treasure hunt! The hallways were… well, not exactly wide open spaces. I’d call it "snug."
Wheelchair accessible – I saw ramps, which is fantastic! (Facilities for disabled guests, Car park [on-site]) The car park was easy to get into, which was a relief after navigating the busy city streets. But, and this is a big but, I can't speak to the full experience of someone using a wheelchair, just from a look, they did make an effort. More work needed here.
My Emotional Rollercoaster: Cleanliness, Security & The Fear of Bacterial Doom
Oh, boy. I'm a bit of a germaphobe. Okay, a LOT of a germaphobe. So, the Cleanliness and safety aspects were crucial. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services… all music to my overly-anxious-about-germs ears! They even had Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. I was like a kid in a candy store, except the candy was alcohol-based.
However, let's be real. Sometimes, even with all the sanitizing, you still feel like you need a shower after touching a doorknob. That inherent feeling of needing anti-septic soap on your skin.
The "Things to Do" & "Ways to Relax" Dilemma
Fitness center and Spa/sauna was mentioned. I peeked in. Let’s just say the gym looked… compact. Imagine a slightly larger storage closet with a few treadmills and a hope that no two people try to work out at the same time. (Gym/fitness)
The Sauna and Spa? Didn’t even attempt it. (I'm that person who’s always afraid of getting stuck in the sauna, you know? Or of the "spa" turning out to be just a slightly glorified shower room.)
They advertised a Pool with a view and Swimming pool [outdoor]… I actually think they were both closed while I was there. Either that, or I just really missed them.
Dining, Demands, and the Dreaded Buffet
Oh, the food. A tale of triumph and… well, not failure, but perhaps a slight disappointment.
Breakfast [buffet] – This was a solid "meh." (Asian breakfast, Western breakfast) The usual suspects: eggs, bacon (thank the heavens!), some Japanese staples that I tried to embrace, and… a lot of beige. It wasn’t bad, per se. But it also wasn't the kind of thing that makes you burst into song and dance.
Restaurants – They had a few. At least, advertised a few. (Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant) Again, like the gym, I didn’t experience them to the fullest. Just… felt that the whole setting was a little lacking.
Room Service [24-hour] - Didn't need it.
Room & Amenities: The Real Deal?
The room itself? Okay, listen. This is where the "premium" part of the Kuretake Inn was… a bit of a stretch. (Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.)
It wasn't luxurious. But it WAS clean. The Air conditioning worked, which was a lifesaver in the summer heat. Free Wi-Fi? HUGE win! (Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free], Internet) The Blackout curtains were perfect for sleeping off that jet lag and the extra long bed was a relief! It felt functional. Safe.
I liked that there were Non-smoking rooms. I'm super sensitive. That one thing in particular was a massive win.
Services and Quirks: Concierge, Car Parks, Luggage (Oh My!)
Concierge – Present. Helpful. English-speaking? Sometimes. It's Japan, and that's to be expected.
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking - Fantastic! Again, a huge plus considering how expensive parking can be in Japan.
Luggage storage – Essential for exploring! The front desk were happy to hold my bags – which was a relief, since I seem to have an uncanny ability to overpack.
For the Kids & Getting Around:
Didn’t have any kids in tow, but the Family/child friendly label seemed accurate, if a little basic. Babysitting service was available but I never saw it.
Getting around - I don't drive, so used Taxi service. It was easy to get a taxi to the train and back, and it felt safe.
The Undeniable Good: The People & That Damn Deal
The staff? They were wonderful. (Front desk [24-hour], Doorman) Polite. Helpful. Always smiling, even when I was clearly being a demanding, jet-lagged nightmare. That genuine Japanese hospitality just warms your soul.
And, let's be honest. That price? Still unbelievable.
The Verdict: Messy, But Worth It?
So, is the Kuretake Inn Premium Numazu a perfect hotel? Absolutely not. Is it a luxurious, spa-centric getaway? Definitely not.
But… for the price? For the cleanliness? For the friendly staff? For the convenience? For the fact that it was… just enough?
Yes. Absolutely yes. I'd go back. With tempered expectations, a healthy dose of hand sanitizer, and a willingness to embrace the slightly imperfect, yet undeniably charming, reality.
Pretoria's Hidden Gem: Purple Olive Guest House Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, Buttercup. This isn't just an itinerary, it's a travel vomit of feelings, observations, and probably some ramen stains. We're heading to the Kuretake Inn Premium Numazu Kitaguchi Ekimae! (Try saying that five times fast after a sake-fueled karaoke session…). Here we go:
Day 1: The Arrival & Ramen Revelations (and My Inner Drama Queen)
1 PM: Touchdown at Narita (NRT)! Alright, let's be honest. My internal monologue? "Oh God, did I pack enough underwear? Will my luggage ever show up? And is that… a crying baby? Please, sweet Buddha, let the flight be smooth." Seriously, I'm a mess before I even get to Numazu. But hey, the air smells of… well, airplane air. So, progress?
2 PM - 5 PM: The Train Shuffle & Numazu Bound! Navigating the Narita Express and the subsequent connections felt like a level in some Japanese arcade game. Successfully getting all our luggage on and getting out of the airport felt like a win, though. Those platform signs are a beautiful, elaborate mystery. I'm pretty sure I accidentally boarded the "express to nowhere" at one point. Luckily, a kind Japanese man with a surprisingly loud laugh (and a killer Pokemon Go strategy) pointed me in the right direction. Bless him. Then, finally, the local train to Numazu. The scenery? Stunning! Rice paddies shimmering, Mount Fuji peeking out shyly in the distance (I swear, it was winking at me). The emotional equivalent of a warm hug.
6 PM: Check-In & Hotel Panic. The Kuretake Inn! Clean, efficient, and… small. Like, REALLY small. My suitcase probably takes up half the room. But, hey, it has a vending machine with hot coffee and THAT's a win in my book. The real beauty of these places are the tiny Japanese toilets with all their bells and whistles. I've mastered the art of lukewarm toilet seat and bidet control. I'm basically a water engineer now, in case this travel thing doesn't pan out.
7 PM - 9 PM: Ramen Quest & Instant Regret (Mostly Delight). Right, food. Numazu is famous for seafood, but first, RAMEN. We found this tiny place, “Ramen Heaven” (not the actual name but the vibe was there). The place was packed, the air thick with the scent of pork broth and pure joy. I ordered the tonkotsu, extra chashu pork. The first bite? Heavenly. The broth was rich, the noodles perfectly chewy, the pork… oh, the pork. I ate it like I hadn't seen food in weeks. Then, somewhere around the third bowl of noodles, the regret set in. A delicious, glorious regret. The kind where you silently vow to hit the gym… tomorrow. The Karaoke bar awaits.
9 PM - Till I Drop: Karaoke Calamity (and the Sake!). The bar was… well, it was a bar. Dimly lit, filled with salarymen, and the occasional group of boisterous tourists. The sake flowed, the microphone got passed around, and my vocal cords transformed into a tortured, yet somehow still enthusiastic, symphony. I butchered some J-Pop, belted out a Queen song, and probably embarrassed myself royally. But hey, at least I tried! Oh, the memories! I've never been good at karaoke, but there's an honesty to completely sucking while singing when you don't have to face those people again.
Day 2: Seaside Strolls & Tuna Torment (and the Power of a Good Nap)
8 AM: Morning Meltdown (Breakfast Optional). The complimentary breakfast at the hotel. The rice, the miso soup, the pickled vegetables… it was all there. But, after the booze-fueled Karaoke, my stomach was in its own personal warzone. Opted out of breakfast.
9 AM - 12 PM: Misaki Park & The Ocean's Call. A scenic stroll by the coast. The salty air was invigorating. The ocean was beautiful and the fishing pier? I swear, I felt my soul cleanse with every seagull's squawk. Pure bliss. It was so stunning that I nearly dropped my phone in the water. Pure adrenaline.
1 PM - 3 PM: Tuna Town Trauma! This is where the itinerary falls apart a bit, because here comes the tale of woe. Numazu is famous for tuna. Famous! And I love tuna. I was determined to have an incredible tuna experience. We found a restaurant renowned for its… freshness and popularity. We waited in line, sweating bullets (did I mention it was humid?), until we were finally seated. The tuna looked incredible. So fresh. So vibrant. And… I got the worst stomach ache I have ever had in my life. I spent the afternoon in the hotel room, curled up in the fetal position praying to the porcelain Gods. Lesson learned: Fresh doesn't always equal safe. My love of tuna faltered. The emotional turmoil? Epic.
4 PM - 5 PM: The Healing Nap. An absolute must in my case.
6 PM: Dinner & Redemption. We found another restaurant for dinner: It was a small cozy family run place with a menu in Japanese I still can't understand. I ate everything offered to me, and it was delicious! We finished up with some green tea ice cream, feeling redeemed.
7 PM - Bedtime: Stargazing and the Quietest Evening. An amazing view to walk to. I watched for as long as my sleepy body kept me company.
Day 3: Departure & Existential Breakfast (and The Longing)
8 AM: Existential Breakfast Revival. The hotel breakfast again. This time, however, I took a deep breath. The taste was… fine. I was back!
9 AM - 11 AM: Souvenir Search & Last Impressions. Wandered around local shops, buying way too many weird and wonderful Japanese candies and tea, which I'm now convinced is more of a hobby than something I actually do. One last walk near the harbor. The air smelled of salt and impending farewell.
12 PM: Check-Out & Train Ride. Back on the train. Again, the signs were a puzzle. I've probably spent longer staring at them than I have looking actually at the world.
PM: Narita and the long way Home.
Every Hour Afterwards: The Longing. The longing for the next adventure. The beauty, the kindness, the food (except for that tuna, ugh). And the memory of that ramen. And the karaoke. And the damn hotel room. I'll be back, Numazu. I'll be back.
Okay, Okay, Kuretake Inn Premium Numazu... Is it REALLY a "deal"? I'm skeptical, okay?
Honestly? That depends. My broke-ass brain initially thought, "Kuretake? Sounds like a damn crayon." Turns out, it's a budget hotel chain that's trying to be Not-So-Budget. Numazu itself isn’t exactly the tourist hotspot of Tokyo, so yeah, the *price* – especially if you snagged a flash sale like I did – made it *decent*. I'm talking "can still afford instant ramen for a week" kind of decent. Don’t expect the Ritz, but for a basic, clean room in a kinda-cool-ish part of Japan? Yeah, plausible deal. But, let's get real, deals morph depending on your standards. Mine? Pretty low when I'm hunting for bargains.
So, what's the *vibe* of the Kuretake Inn Premium Numazu? Modern? Traditional? Awkwardly stuck in the 80s?
Hmm… "Practical Functional." It’s undeniably *modern* in the sense that they have a keycard and elevators that (mostly) work. The decor is… neutral. Think, “lots of beige.” Maybe a splash of, like, gray-brown. Definitely not a riot of colors, which is GOOD. Sometimes you just need a room that screams "DO NOT DISTURB." They *do* try to add a dash of "premium" - supposedly - with nicer furnishings than your average budget hotel, but it felt… well, *kinda* sterile. I'd describe it as "a hotel room you wouldn't actively *hate* after a long day of shoving your face with Pocky." And trust me, I did a lot of Pocky-shoving that week.
Are the rooms… livable? I'm claustrophobic. And need space to, you know, breathe.
Livable? Yes. Spacious? Um, NOPE. Especially if you're, like, over 6 feet tall. The Japanese hotel room classic: compact and efficient. They pack a lot into a small space. The bed was comfortable enough, which is the most important thing, right? I mean, it's only slightly less comfortable than my bed at home. The bathroom was… tiny. Like, you could shower and brush your teeth simultaneously. But hey, at least it was clean, and the water pressure in the shower was actually pretty good. Don't expect to do cartwheels in there, though. Consider it more "efficient use of space" than "luxury living."
What about the Wi-Fi? Crucial for Instagramming my ramen addiction.
The Wi-Fi was… fine. Not blazing fast, but definitely usable. I managed to upload pictures of my ramen adventures, so it gets a pass. And the hotel offered, what I think was, a complimentary VPN service, included, which was nice too! I was probably a little too worried about security, though. Honestly, I was more concerned about the fact that my phone battery was always dying from all the picture taking than I was about online security. I blame the ramen.
The free breakfast… is it worth dragging myself out of bed for? Be honest, now!
Okay, here's the tea. The breakfast... it's free. And it's… a *breakfast*. It’s a buffet. Think typical Japanese hotel buffet fare. You had your rice, miso soup, maybe scrambled eggs that looked like they'd been sitting there since the Cretaceous period, some sad-looking sausage, and... a selection of pastries. Nothing to write home about per se, but still, hey, free food. I'm a sucker for free food, even if it's not the most amazing food on the planet. My philosophy? Fill your plate and then judge it accordingly.
Were there any non-breakfast food options in the hotel? Because I am always hungry.
There was a vending machine. A lifeline for a late-night snack attack. Okay, *multiple* vending machines. Stocked with everything you need for a snack attack. Drinks, chips, even some instant ramen. The holy grail for sleepy, hungry travelers. It's also a fantastic opportunity to try all the bizarre Japanese snacks you wouldn't ordinarily touch. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? (Don’t answer that. I’m still traumatized by that fish-flavored potato chip experience.)
Okay, Numazu… is there *anything* to do there? Beyond just staying in the hotel?
Okay, here’s the thing: Numazu isn't exactly Tokyo. It's not overflowing with iconic landmarks – it's got its own vibe. I stumbled upon a fantastic seafood market. Fresh fish, grilled on the spot, and totally worth the early morning wake-up. Seriously, the best tuna I've *ever* had. There's also a shopping street, though it's not exactly the Ginza. It still provided a good evening stroll, and plenty of those delicious Japanese vending machines. I enjoyed the walk a lot. Plus, it's the perfect base for exploring the Izu Peninsula— which *does* offer some seriously beautiful scenery. Beaches, hot springs, the whole shebang. But if you're looking for pure, unadulterated city excitement? Maybe Numazu isn't your first choice. If you're after a more chilled out kinda trip, it's fantastic.
How easy is it to get around from the Kuretake Inn? Public transport struggles are real.
The hotel ain't bad. There was a train station nearby. Easy walking distance. If you're used to navigating Japanese public transport, you'll be totally fine. I mean, the system is phenomenal. Super efficient, clean, and (relatively) easy to understand… once you get the hang of it. Even I, with my sometimes-sketchy sense of direction, managed to get around. If they have a free car park, that is also a plus. I didn't have a car, myself.
Okay, so "Premium"? What exactly makes it "Premium," besides the slightly nicer lobby?
Alright, let’s dive into this "Premium" nonsense. I kept trying to spot the Premium-ness the entire trip! The lobby did feel *slightly* fancier than your average budget hotel. And they *claimed* to have improved amenities. Did they? Maybe? I mean, the toiletries were a step up from the generic stuff you get with other hotels. But I don't go to a hotel for the shampoo!Hyderabad Luxury: Stunning Townhouse on Shivam Road, White Ridge!
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