Nagoya's BEST Hotel? Route Inn Sakae's SHOCKING Secret Revealed!
Route Inn Sakae: My Love-Hate Affair with the Nagoya "Best" Hotel (and that SHOCKING Secret!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at Route Inn Sakae, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. The kind you unpack for days, and the kind that leaves you questioning your life choices. And yes, there's a secret. A juicy, slightly-gross (to me, anyway) secret I’m about to spill. Get ready for a rollercoaster of opinions, because this is my truth, and my truth is messy.
Metadata First, Because That's How We Roll Now:
- Keywords: Route Inn Sakae, Nagoya hotel review, Japan travel, accessible hotel, free wifi, Sakae district, hotel amenities, spa, restaurants, Japanese hotel, value hotel, clean hotel, Nagoya accommodation.
- Title: Route Inn Sakae: Is it REALLY Nagoya's BEST Hotel? (And the SHOCKING Secret They Don't Want You to Know!)
- Description: A brutally honest review of Route Inn Sakae in Nagoya, Japan. Discover the hotel's strengths (accessibility, free Wi-Fi!) and weaknesses (that secret!), and find out if it's worth your Yen. Includes detailed insights on amenities, dining, cleanliness, and my own personal, slightly dramatic, experiences.
Now, the Good, the Bad, and the Utterly Baffling:
Accessibility: A Mostly Triumphant Dance with Rollators and Elevators (Maybe)
First off, and this is important, Route Inn Sakae GETS accessibility. Okay, great. They seem to be very helpful and welcoming. Elevators are plentiful, which is a huge win. Wheelchair accessible rooms are available (though I didn’t snag one myself, so I can’t vouch firsthand), and the public areas seemed relatively easy to navigate. Huge props on that. This is a major plus for travelers with mobility issues. However, the hallways could be a bit… narrow. Honestly, I'm not sure if that's just me and my baggage or if my luggage was just abnormally large.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: I didn't personally use the restaurants since they are rather generic in my opinion, but they are open and accessible, so that is a big plus.
Internet Access (Because We Live Online!): Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! (Hallelujah!)
Okay, this is a big win. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually worked. Praise be! I'm talking stable connection, enough bandwidth to stream (I may or may not have binged a season of my favourite show), and minimal frustration. And there's even Internet [LAN] as an option, for those of us who still have that archaic technology! Wi-Fi in public areas was also strong. Basically, they've got you covered for your digital needs, which is a HUGE relief when you're relying on maps and translation apps in a foreign country. It's the 21st century, people!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Buffet Bonanza… And One (Very) Questionable Experience.
Alright, let’s talk food. Breakfast [buffet] is… well, it's a buffet. I'm not the biggest fan of buffets, mainly because it feels like a warzone of elbowing and food fights with hungry humans. The Asian breakfast was pretty decent, and the Western breakfast options were available as well, but again, nothing to write home about. Lots of coffee/tea in restaurant. Breakfast takeaway service is a convenient option if you're in a rush. The restaurants themselves offer Asian cuisine in restaurant, and International cuisine in restaurant options.
And now, for the SHOCKING secret:
So, one morning, I went down for breakfast. I was, to put it mildly, feeling a little… delicate. Let's just say I'd overindulged in some local sake the night before. I filled my plate, sat down, and, as I took a bite of what I thought was fried tofu… I realized it was fish. And not just fish, but fish that had been… left out? It didn't taste fresh. It's also not what I expected. And the smell… Ugh. I discreetly spat it out, thanked the gods for the bottle of water provided and, quickly, filled my plate with something else. And that's when it hit me. Were other items old too? I made a beeline for the coffee machine. My stomach needed something substantial.
Now, I know, "buffets," and "food safety," are always a gamble, but this… This was just a little scary. I did not see Anti-viral cleaning products in use in this instance, but maybe they were hidden. After all, it's all a big secret, right? I don't want to judge too harshly, but it did leave me with serious questions about kitchen practices and the overall freshness of the food. Especially since many of the other items were not kept at the optimal temperature.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Mixed Bag, with a Heavy Emphasis on Hope.
Okay, let's be real: cleanliness is paramount in my book. Rooms sanitized between stays, they say. The hotel appeared generally clean, and I appreciated the Daily disinfection in common areas. They even have Staff trained in safety protocol. It's good to see the effort. Hand sanitizer dispensers were readily available. They have Hot water linen and laundry washing. The rooms themselves were tidy (minus the fishy breakfast incident, of course). I'm just guessing, but I think they had hygiene certification displayed as well.
Rooms sanitized between stays: This is a big plus. I really did appreciate it. However, something was missing. I did not see Anti-viral cleaning products or anything resembling Professional-grade sanitizing services. It's just something I noticed.
Things to do, ways to relax: A Touch of Spa, a Dash of… Well, Nothing Much.
Okay, the hotel claims a Spa. And a spa/sauna. But, honestly, I didn't visit. I'm not a spa person. I prefer a good long walk. However, I am a sucker for a sauna and even a steamroom, and would have loved a swimming pool [outdoor], but alas, nothing of the kind.
There is a Fitness center, which I ignored, because, well, let's be honest, I'm on vacation. I need a massage, or even a body scrub, not exercise.
Services and Conveniences: Functionality Over Flair.
Route Inn Sakae is practical. Air conditioning in public area? Check. Elevator? Check. Daily housekeeping? Check. You can even arrange Food delivery at your door. There is a Convenience store. There's a Luggage storage. Basically, all the essential bits and bobs. I appreciated the safe in the room. There's a front desk [24-hour], of course. And they even have a Smoking area, which is a plus for some (it's not for me).
Getting around: Easy Peasy.
The Car park [on-site], is free, apparently, though I didn't use it. There’s taxi service readily available as well. Airport transfer is available. Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet
- 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
- 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
The Verdict: Is Route Inn Sakae the "Best"?
**Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Guro: Your Unbeatable Seoul Getaway!**
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't just an itinerary. This is a lived experience, a messy, glorious, caffeine-fueled plunge into Nagoya via the (hopefully) comfy confines of Hotel Route Inn Nagoya Sakae. Let's get this slightly-off-kilter show on the road:
Day 1: Arrival, Initial Panic, and Ramen Rhapsody (or, "Why Did I Pack So Many Socks?")
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). Okay, cool, the airport looks like a spaceship, always a good start. Now, the real test: navigating customs and immigration. Seriously, why did I bring that giant bottle of sunscreen? It's like I'm trying to get flagged. Anyway, managed to charm my way through (or maybe they just felt sorry for me).
- 2:30 PM: Airport Limousine Bus to Sakae. The bus is clean, smooth, and has surprisingly comfortable seats. I'm already starting to feel like a ridiculously spoiled tourist. Looking out the window, catching glimpses of the city… it's… it's different. The architecture has this clean, almost futuristic vibe. Japan is definitely a land of contrasts.
- 3:30 PM: Check-in at Hotel Route Inn. Finding the hotel was surprisingly easy. It's clean, efficient, and the staff are polite…but it's also a little… sterile? Like, I'm waiting for a robot to hand me my keycard. (Just kidding…mostly.) The room itself is petite, which is to be expected. And yes, I did spend a good ten minutes marveling at the tiny, yet perfectly functional, Japanese toilet. Where have you been all my life?
- 4:30 PM: Attempt to unpack. Fail. Still deciding what's crucial and what can stay. This is where the sock conundrum begins. Why. So. Many. Socks? This is going to be a theme.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner! Ramen obsession. I needed to find a proper bowl and the internet had a recommendation. A slightly dive-y place a short walk from the hotel (forgot the name already, surprise!). The broth…oh, the broth. Rich, porky, with just the right amount of chili. Every slurp was a symphony. I nearly embarrassed myself by practically inhaling the noodles. Definitely a "best ramen ever" contender. I over did it. I could barely walk back to the hotel.
- 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Staring blankly at the TV. Jet lag…or the sheer strangeness of a Japanese game show. (Or maybe I’m just tired.) The language barrier is starting to hit hard. At least the snacks in the vending machine are a welcome distraction.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: A long, hot, and oddly soothing bath. That's one thing this hotel gets right. I could get used to this.
- 10:00 PM: Attempt to sleep. Failing. Thinking about the socks. Seriously, SO many socks. I should have just packed a backpack.
Day 2: Nagoya Castle, "Lost in Translation," and Karaoke Catastrophe (or, "My Voice is a Crime Against Music")
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The buffet is… interesting. It's got everything. Little fishy things, rice balls, and all sorts of things. Not sure what half of them are, but hey, adventure!
- 9:30 AM: Head to Nagoya Castle. The metro is surprisingly easy to navigate (thank god for Google Maps). The castle is impressive, majestic, the whole shebang. The only problem? It's also teeming with tourists, including myself. I found myself trying to take a selfie with a Golden Shachihoko (fish-shaped ornament) and nearly knocked over a small child. So embarrassing.
- 11:00 AM: Castle exploration. The interior…wow. The artwork, the history. It’s a lot to take in.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch near the castle. Another restaurant, another language barrier. I tried to order a simple plate of noodles, somehow ended up with a plate of fried…things? Couldn’t tell you what they were. Delicious. So there’s that.
- 1:30 PM: Explore Osu Kannon Temple. A little less tourist-trodden than the castle. It’s calming, and beautiful. I bought a little wooden charm thingy. I have no idea what it means, or if I'll ever need it.
- 3:00 PM: Karaoke. This was a VERY bad idea. My Japanese is non-existent. My singing voice is worse. I thought it would be fun! I was dreadfully wrong. The locals were quite amused by my terrible rendition of a… some song. I just remember a lot of glitter and a lot of laughing. I even tried to order drinks (I’m pretty sure I pointed randomly at the menu).
- 5:00 PM: Attempted recovery from Karaoke. The hotel vending machine is my best friend.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. A quest for authentic Takoyaki (octopus balls). Found it! It was hot, messy, and heaven in a bite.
- 7:30 PM – Till Bed: Another bath, more TV (still confused), and planning the next day (while simultaneously wondering if I should just give up on socks altogether).
Day 3: Sakae Exploration, Food Heaven, and a Sad Farewell (or, "I'm Already Homesick…but Also Don't Want to Leave")
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast at the hotel. I think I'm getting the hang of the buffet. Avoiding the fishy things, at least.
- 10:00 AM: Walk around Sakae. It’s a vibrant, bustling area. I’m starting to feel like I’m getting used to things.
- 11:00 AM: Visit the Oasis 21. This place is awesome! I took some (obligatory) pictures of this super-modern architectural wonder. Looking down at the streets from the top made me feel small and exposed and exhilarated. Now to find a snack somewhere.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant the internet led me to. Miso katsu (fried pork cutlet with miso sauce). It's everything I'd heard about. The perfect blend of salty, sweet, and savory. Easily in the top 5 meals of my life. I’m already planning to find this again.
- 2:00 PM: Shopping. Trying to find SOME souvenirs. I bought a small, beautifully crafted sake cup. (And a few things I'm too embarrassed to mention.)
- 3:00 PM: Last chance for snacks. Another trip to the vending machine. I'm starting to feel like a local (except for the terrible karaoke, of course).
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a last look. Everything is packed…except for the socks. Those will get sorted later.
- 5:00 PM: Limousine bus to the airport. Saying goodbye to Nagoya. I'm sad to leave, but also incredibly glad I experienced this.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Airport. Waiting, writing, and reflecting on my trip. This trip was a roller coaster of emotions, cultural exploration, and general silliness. I ate amazing food, I made a complete fool of myself, and I (mostly) survived. And the socks? Well, let's just say they're coming home with me.
Departure Day Notes:
- The Hotel Route Inn was…adequate. Clean, efficient, and thankfully, the bed was comfortable. No complaints, but not exactly the stuff of romance.
- Nagoya is a city that is…unforgettable. The food is mind-blowing, the people are incredibly polite, and the experience of Japan is something that can only be experienced in person.
- Final Thought: I'm already planning my return. And next time? I'm packing significantly less socks.
Route Inn Sakae: The Truth (and Some Secrets I Probably Shouldn't Share!)
Okay, spill! Is Route Inn Sakae REALLY the "best" hotel in Nagoya? That clickbait title is screaming at me!
Alright, alright, settle down. BEST? Best is subjective, right? But *for the price*, and considering EVERYTHING – location, breakfast, the sheer CONVENIENCE - yeah, I'd say Route Inn Sakae punches WAY above its weight class. It's not the Ritz, people! Don't go expecting a butler. But it's clean, the staff are generally helpful (more on *that* later…), and you’re BANG in the middle of Sakae, like, practically stumbling distance from the Oasis 21 and all those food stalls. It's a serious contender, no contest.
What's the BIG SECRET? Is there some hidden, scandalous truth? Don't leave me hanging!
Scandalous? Maybe not. More like…a slightly chaotic underbelly. The secret is… the breakfast. It's legendary. Okay, maybe not legendary, but it's a HUGE deal. Free breakfast! And it's… decent. Think bread, rice, different variations of eggs (sometimes questionable, I confess), and a surprising amount of Japanese staples. BUT…the breakfast room. Oh, the breakfast room! Sometimes, it's a warzone. Be prepared for elbow-to-elbow action. You might have to fight for a scrambled egg. I saw a woman - and I swear this is true - *literally* shove a croissant into her purse. And she wasn't even pretending to be subtle about it. The breakfast is a delicious, slightly insane free-for-all.
Okay, so… breakfast is a gamble. Anything else I should know? Like, are the rooms shoeboxes?
Rooms are… compact. Let's be honest. You're not going to be hosting a ballroom dance. But they're surprisingly well-designed. Everything has its place. You'll have a tiny desk, a little TV (with the obligatory Japanese channels and some…interesting…late-night programming…), a fridge, and a perfectly functional bathroom. The beds… are comfortable enough. I’m not going to lie, after a long day walking around, the bed felt like heaven. But again, this is a BUDGET hotel. Set your expectations accordingly. You aren’t getting a suite. You're getting a clean, functional room in a super convenient location.
Location, location, location! How good is Sakae for getting around?
Sakae is GOLD. Pure gold. Seriously. The hotel is a hop, skip, and a jump from the Sakae subway station. You can get anywhere in Nagoya from there. Want to visit Nagoya Castle? Boom, easy. Want to gorge yourself on hitsumabushi (Hitsumabushi is Nagoya-style grilled eel over rice)? Done. All the major shopping areas are within easy walking distance AND it’s right near Oasis 21, the cool semi-transparent structure, for people watching and generally feeling like you’re in the future. Plus, there are *tonnes* of restaurants and bars nearby. You can literally spend your entire trip just in Sakae. It’s that good. I’ve done it.
What about the staff? Are they helpful, or will I be battling the language barrier?
Okay, here's where things get… mixed. The staff are generally polite and efficient. Most speak at least basic English, some are excellent. Let me share a particularly memorable anecdote. I once, after a VERY long day of exploring, locked myself out of my room at 2 AM. I was tired, hangry, and frankly, a little bit pathetic. The poor reception guy… well, he looked like he’d seen it all. He was incredibly patient, even though I'm pretty sure I mumbled some gibberish while fumbling for my passport. He got me a new key card without batting an eye. He may have smirked a little later, but he was all business. Another time, I had a laundry issue, and the woman at the desk went above and beyond to help me. So, generally, good. But… sometimes… Let’s just say, their English isn't *always* perfect, and a little patience on your part goes a long way.
Is there anything I *really* hated about Route Inn Sakae? Be honest!
Okay, I have ONE major gripe. This is a big one for me: the air conditioning. It's a little…temperamental. Sometimes it's freezing, sometimes it's stuffy. I've spent more than one night wrestling with that blasted thermostat! It's like it has a mind of its own. This is a real, genuine pet peeve. And sometimes, the elevators are a little slow. Come on, people, I'm trying to get to breakfast before the croissant-hoarders hit the scene! Besides that, honestly? For the price, I can’t really complain. But the AC…the AC… Ugh.
So, final verdict? Would you recommend it, even with the potential breakfast battles and AC drama?!
YES. Absolutely YES! Look, no hotel is perfect. But for the price, location, and generally decent experience, Route Inn Sakae is a winner. Just go prepared for the breakfast chaos, pack a sweater (just in case), and embrace the quirks. It's a solid choice for exploring Nagoya, and honestly, I'd stay there again. (Even if I have to fight for that scrambled egg.) You might even find a new, slightly dysfunctional, yet lovable, family there. Plus, the convenience of being in such a central location is a HUGE plus. Go. Book it. And tell me what you think… after you've survived breakfast.
Final, final question – any insider tips for making the most of my stay?
Okay, here's the lowdown. First, breakfast: Go early. Like, *really* early. Second, bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper - you're in a bustling area. Third, be polite and have a smile for the staff, it goes a long way. Fourth, download a translation app. It's a lifesaver. Fifth, explore Sakae! Get lost, try all the street food, soak up the atmosphere. And finally, most importantly: **Embrace the messiness!** Because that, my friend, is part of the charm of Route Inn Sakae (and Japan in general). Enjoy!
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