Unbelievable Kanazawa Hotel Deal: Route Inn Ekimae!
Unbelievable Kanazawa Hotel Deal: Route Inn Ekimae! - A Messy & Honest Review
(Metadata: Route Inn Ekimae, Kanazawa, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wi-Fi, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Safety, Dining, Services, Kanazawa Station, Japan, Budget Hotel)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Route Inn Ekimae in Kanazawa, a hotel that promises a "deal" and, well, delivers… sort of. Let's dive in, shall we? This review isn't going to be all perfectly polished – because let's face it, neither is life, nor am I after chugging a coffee. ☕️
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag
Okay, first things first: accessibility. I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I always look out for this stuff. On the positive side, the hotel does have facilities for disabled guests, which is a huge plus. They've got elevator access, which is crucial. But, and there's always a "but," the details on HOW accessible things really are – like the specific widths of doorways, if the restaurant is easy to navigate, and if there's a truly accessible bathroom – are hard to find without calling. I'm a bit skeptical of the on-site restaurants being perfectly perfect for wheelchairs, judging by the layout of the common areas. They could do better specifying all the specifics. It's a must-check kind of situation, phone call worthy.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Again, potentially a thing, but specific details were lacking. You'd have to scope it out yourself or ask.
Wheelchair accessible: See above! Contact the hotel directly for a thorough rundown.
The Internet Age: Wi-Fi and All That Jazz
Hallelujah! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! A godsend. I mean, I can't function without it. You know, the usual: checking emails, stalking my ex on Instagram, and, you know, working. Wi-Fi in public areas too, naturally. Good for those social media updates, or if you're feeling real fancy and want to work in the lobby with your laptop. Internet [LAN] is also available, which is a nice option if you're a dinosaur who refuses to trust Wi-Fi (like my Uncle Gary).
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Pandemic Shuffle
Listen, safety is huge, especially in the current climate. And Route Inn Ekimae seems to be doing okay. They tick all the boxes: hand sanitizer everywhere, staff trained in safety protocol, daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays. The anti-viral cleaning products are a welcome touch. I felt pretty safe in my room, to be honest. The problem is sometimes you can opt out of room sanitization, but I didn't see an option to opt in. I'd almost feel better if they did more cleaning.
Hygiene certification: I'd hope they have one, but I didn't see anything screaming it. Important things to ask.
What about the Food? Dining, Drinking, and Snacking
Let's get to the important stuff: food. They offer breakfast [buffet]. And, ah, this is where the story gets… slightly… interesting.
Breakfast: An Adventure in (Possibly) Bland Flavors
Asian and Western breakfast options are on offer. The buffet itself is… well, it's a buffet. Expect the usual hotel fare: eggs, bacon (probably, because that goes for anyone on a budget), some sad-looking pastries, and some Japanese options if you're feeling adventurous.
But here's the thing: I ate one of those Japanese things, and it was… inoffensive. Let's just say my tastebuds weren't doing cartwheels. The coffee? Standard motel-like dreck. (Although, they do have coffee/tea in restaurant, so that could be an upgrade, right?).
Anecdote Time! I remember, as I was trying to keep my food on the tray, a Japanese businessman zoomed past me and nearly knocked the tray. It felt like a metaphor for the entire hotel: efficient, a little rough around the edges, and you’re gonna get bumped at times.
Also: breakfast in room is not available.
There's a restaurant there open for a la carte options, and they do offer international cuisine, Asian cuisine, and Western cuisine. I didn't try the other meals.
The Dining, Drinking, and Snacking Rundown:
- Buffet in restaurant: Yep!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Okay, decent.
- Snack bar: Didn't see one.
- Soup in restaurant: I did not see any soup.
- Desserts in restaurant Maybe? I truly did not pay attention to the desserts.
More Services and Conveniences
Air conditioning in public areas: Yep, thank goodness. Gotta stay cool.
Concierge: Didn't use it.
Convenience store: Always a win! Perfect for grabbing a late-night snack (because, let's face it, the buffet is only okay).
Daily housekeeping: They do their job.
Elevator: Essential.
Ironing service and laundry service: Yay.
Luggage storage: Helpful!
Safety deposit boxes: Smart move!
I had a few problems with my stay:
I had to wait forever for my luggage.
The Room: My Cozy Little Box or… Not?
My room was… functional. Let's call it that. There was air conditioning, which was crucial. I had free Wi-Fi, THANK GOD. Daily housekeeping? Check. TV with satellite/cable channels? You betcha. Mini bar? Yes, but empty. Desk where I could pretend to work? Yep.
The room was fairly soundproof, which was appreciated because the hallway outside sounded like the running of the bulls, as I mentioned.
The slippers were a nice touch, too, and the towels were fluffy enough, but I would have liked a fancier bathrobe and maybe a slightly bigger seating area. And no, I did not find the proposal spot.
Extras:
- Additional toilet: Not in my room, but I'd assume it's available.
- Bathrobes: Nope.
- Blackout curtains: Yes, thank you.
- Closet: Sufficient.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes.
- Extra long bed: No.
- High floor: I was on a high floor!
- In-room safe box: Yes.
- Internet access – LAN: Yes.
- Laptop workspace: Present.
- Linens: Fine.
- Mirror: Needed.
- On-demand movies: Nope.
- Separate shower/bathtub: In my room, yes.
- Shower: Yes.
- Smoke detector: Yes.
- Socket near the bed: Yes.
- Soundproofing: Kinda.
- Umbrella: Also, yes.
- Window that opens: Nope.
Getting Around & Parking
The hotel has car park [free of charge]. Convenient if you have a car, and it's always amazing to keep costs down. I'd consider it great. They also have airport transfer (probably paid).
For the Kids:
My experience was NOT with kids, though the hotel does claim to be family friendly. I am highly skeptical about childcare at the hotel too, since they had no listed services.
The Verdict: Route Inn Ekimae – Worth It?
Okay, so, is Route Inn Ekimae the best hotel in Kanazawa? No. Is it the most luxurious? Absolutely not. But if you're looking for a clean, safe, and relatively affordable place to crash while exploring Kanazawa, it's not a terrible choice.
The Good:
- Generally Clean.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Decent location.
- (Potentially) Good price.
- Some safety measures.
The Not-So-Good:
- Breakfast is underwhelming.
- Not fancy.
- Accessibility needs further investigation.
- Some facilities are missing.
It's a solid option if you're on a budget and you're prioritizing convenience and a safe place to sleep. Just don't go expecting a five-star experience. Manage your expectations, pack some snacks, and you'll be fine. 😉
Marriott Owings Mills: Your Dream Stay Awaits (Luxury MD Getaway!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is a messy, imperfect, and hopefully hilarious account of my stay at the Hotel Route Inn Kanazawa Ekimae. Prepare for feelings, opinions, and the occasional tangent. Because, let's be honest, who actually sticks to a perfect schedule?
KANAZAWA: A Love Letter (with a side of "Help, I'm lost!")
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Ramen Crisis (and maybe some jet lag)
- 1:00 PM (ish): ARRIVAL! (Okay, fine, it was probably closer to 2 PM after battling the train and my own internal GPS. Seriously, I swear, my brain thinks "East" is a suggestion.) The Hotel Route Inn Kanazawa Ekimae. First impression? Clean. Very, very clean. Like, suspiciously clean. I’m half expecting a robot to emerge and inspect my luggage for dust bunnies.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. Smooth sailing. Got my room key, and the front desk clerk, bless her heart, spoke enough English that I didn’t have to resort to charades (though, let's be real, I probably did at some point). The lobby smelled faintly of… something… maybe cleaning products? Or hope? I can’t decide.
- 2:00 PM: Room revealed! And, wow, it’s…compact. Functional. Efficient. A truly Japanese experience of "making the most with what you've got." I'm pretty sure the bed is designed to encourage maximum sleep. I’ll take it. I'm already fighting the jet lag monster and it's winning.
- 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: The Ramen Reconnaissance Mission: Hunger pangs hit. Hard. Kanazawa is renowned for its ramen, and I needed some. My mission? Find the best. Armed with a crumpled map and a Google Maps search, I ventured out. My first attempt? Epic fail. Got turned around, saw a cat with judgy eyes, and ended up wandering aimlessly. Lesson learned: Don't trust Google Maps when your brain is fried.
- 4:00 PM (ish): Success! (Sort of). Found a tiny ramen shop tucked away on a side street. The broth was AMAZING. The noodles? Perfect. The chashu pork? Melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. I devoured it like a starving wolf. Honestly, I'd eat that ramen again right now.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Wandering around the area. Just soaking it in. The architecture—absolutely stunning. So much history, so much beauty. The gardens… ah, the gardens. I don't think I've ever seen something so peaceful. I'm not even a "garden person" but I was moved. I spent what felt like hours just watching the gentle sway of bamboo and the perfect placement of every stone. I could almost meditate, but the jet lag was screaming.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Exhausted. Passed out on the incredibly efficient bed. Woke up at… well, who knows. Time is merely a suggestion at this point.
Day 2: The Samurai District & The Golden Temple (and a near-disaster with a vending machine)
- 9:00 AM (ish): Breakfast at the hotel. (Complimentary! Bonus points!) The breakfast buffet was… well, it was there. Standard hotel fare, but the coffee was hot, and they had this weird, almost sweet, pickled plum that I actually liked. Who am I?
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: THE SAMURAI DISTRICT. Oh, the houses, the history, the feeling of stepping back in time! I got lost in the narrow streets, gawking at the perfectly preserved homes, imagining samurai swords clashing and secret meetings occurring. I stood in front of a house for what felt like an hour just imagining what life was like for these people. The sheer beauty of everything was just a lot to take in. Found myself daydreaming about moving in. The only problem? I’d need a translator and a crash course in samurai history. Which doesn’t sound too bad, actually.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Had a truly spectacular tempura place. The batter was light and crisp, the seafood was so fresh, it practically jumped off the plate. Seriously, my mouth is watering just remembering it. It was a pricey meal but worth every penny.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Kenrokuen Garden. Golden Pavilion. Jaw. Dropped. It was breathtaking! I’ve seen pictures, sure, but nothing prepares you for that moment when it just hits you. The water features, the manicured landscapes, the sheer artistry of it all… I could have stayed there all day. But, you know, jet lag.
- 4:00 PM: Almost, almost, disaster. There's an obsession with vending machines in Japan. And, of course, I was desperate for a cold drink. I put my money in, pushed the button… and nothing. Panic! I needed my caffeine fix! I spent a solid five minutes banging on the glass, convinced the machine was mocking me. Luckily, a kind local came to my rescue and helped me realize I had put in the wrong type of bills. Crisis averted. I got my drink, and learned a valuable lesson about reading instructions (duh).
- 5:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Needed a nap after the vending incident.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Found this tiny little izakaya (Japanese pub) near the hotel. The food was amazing (again!), the atmosphere was lively, and the sake was flowing. I may have also made friends with a few locals. Language barriers? Sure. But the shared nods, smiles, and the universal language of good food and drink transcended any issues. Perfect evening.
Day 3: The Fish Market & The Train Station (and the inevitable departure)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast (hotel buffet again, but this time with a slightly better attitude).
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Oh, the Omicho Market! The fish! The colors! The chaos! It was amazing. So much fresh seafood! I swear you could practically taste the ocean. I even braved a small sample of something… not sure what it was, but it didn't kill me! I bought some really good-looking sea urchin, and thought about buying some for take home, but I don't know how to cook it.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Every store, every item. I almost went bankrupt. Decided on a few small gifts.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Decided to have a last bowl of ramen.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Packing. Sadness. Saying goodbye to the efficient little room.
- 3:00 PM: Check out. The inevitable "sayonara" with the front desk clerk.
- 3:30 PM: Train station. The train leaves! Last glance at Kanazawa. A mix of sadness and excitement. This trip has been a whirlwind of emotions, from the serene beauty of the gardens to the near-panic of the vending machine incident.
- 4:00 PM: On the train, reflecting on the trip. Kanazawa, you were amazing. I'll be back. Maybe next time, I'll finally master the art of navigating without getting lost. Or maybe not. Because, let's be honest, getting lost is half the fun.
- 5:00 PM - onwards: Looking forward to more beautiful places, and more new stories!
Final Thoughts:
Hotel Route Inn Kanazawa Ekimae? Perfectly adequate. Clean. Efficient. But Kanazawa itself? Absolutely magical. Go. Eat the ramen. Get lost in the Samurai District. Soak it all in. You won't regret it. It's a place that stays with you. And yes, it lived up to the hype. I already miss it.
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Route Inn Ekimae: Kanazawa - The Whole Truth (and Probably a Few Lies, Too) FAQs
Okay, spill. Is this "Unbelievable Kanazawa Hotel Deal" *really* that good? Route Inn Ekimae... what's the lowdown?
What should I expect the rooms to *actually* be like? Photos can be deceiving, you know.
The breakfast reviews… they're all over the place. Worth the expense?
Is the location *really* as good as everyone says? Right by the station?
Any hidden fees or nasty surprises I should know about?
Okay, let's get real. Give me one solid, unexpected, REALLY memorable experience from staying there. Anything at all!
Would you stay there again? SeriouslyUrban Hotel Search
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