HOTEL MIAU MADRID = HIGH VALUE, PERFECT LOCATION

WITH 10 STAR STAFF AND LAVISH WARM BREAKFAST

There must be 1,000 historic buildings, boasting food, drink, dessert -- very nearby Hotel Miau Madrid.

I only used rideshare once -- on a rainy day when I was visiting an historic cemetery outside the old city.

The well-trained and warm staff gave suggestions for a pair of authentic tapas bars that were within 5 minutes walking distance.

Staff also respected my request for limited housekeeping. 

Many places ignore this, but Miau's team is on top of everything.

HOTEL MIAU MADRID = HIGH VALUE, PERFECT LOCATION

WITH 10 STAR STAFF AND LAVISH WARM BREAKFAST

The Hotel Miau Madrid's fridge is sleek looking and saves space with the wall mount. 

The only thing is it is cool, not really cold.

I could not find a knob to adjust it to a colder setting. 

While this was fine for sodas and bottled water, some milk I had for medication was not cold enough.

I worried a bit that it would spoil within a couple days, vs the 10 day expiry on the label.

 Once again, this is a very small deficiency at a very excellent boutique hotel.

HOTEL MIAU MADRID = HIGH VALUE, PERFECT LOCATION

WITH 10 STAR STAFF AND LAVISH WARM BREAKFAST

Hotel Miau Madrid reviews mention hallway noise and I must say they are correct.

It is odd that the double doors tamp down raucous sound from Plaza Santa Ana, but the interior modern renovation lets noise in.

Each night, I heard fellow guests talking in the hallway (the rooms are small, so groups in 2 or 3 rooms seemed to hover in the hallway at all hours. 

They were not drinking or making trouble -- just talking loud enough to disturb my sleep.

Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. It is lavish, so it is hard to complain. 

Plus I understand that Spaniards eat small breakfasts much later than Americans.

But maybe opening at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 7:30 a.m. on weekends would be a compromise. 

I'm an early riser. 

I had to kill time before the breakfast room (2 doors down from hotel) opened. 

Again, my words are more advice than complaint.

HOTEL MIAU MADRID = HIGH VALUE, PERFECT LOCATION

WITH 10 STAR STAFF AND LAVISH WARM BREAKFAST

The Hotel Miau Madrid's rooms are small but quite efficient -- with a wall mounted fridge capable of cooling a soda, beer and few bottles of water.

The price point for a perfect location in May was under 200 USD fully loaded -- delicious breakfast and taxes included.

Miau -- yes it has a cat theme in its logo, etc. -- is very close to Sol, the biggest transit station in Madrid. Anton Martin and others are close by too.

Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Opera, Prado, El Rastro, Gran Via and dozens of top areas are no more than 15 minutes walking distance.

HOTEL MIAU MADRID = HIGH VALUE, PERFECT LOCATION

WITH 10 STAR STAFF AND LAVISH WARM BREAKFAST

Hotel Miau Madrid's soundproofing for busy and boisterous adjacent Plaza Santa Ana is amazing. 

I could hear faint sounds, but the double doors provided quiet nights in a roof with a small balcony and historic views.

The breakfast is beyond lavish. 

Most free breakfasts are crappy little cold food huts. 

The buffet has variety, hot foods, gourmet coffee and a super hardworking staff person.

My bed was super firm and comfy.

The bathroom is large and the shower tube had lots of hot water.

HOTEL MIAU MADRID = HIGH VALUE, PERFECT LOCATION

WITH 10 STAR STAFF AND LAVISH WARM BREAKFAST

Hotel Miau Madrid's location is perfect. It is a 15 minute walk from virtually every museum, arts facility, jazz room, fine dining, mercado, tapas crawl, etc. that you would want to visit in heart of the city.

The staff is amazing.

This is a tiny, boutique hotel with barely a lobby.

I was not 100% sure it was staffed 24/7. 

Not only is it staffed, but its English speaking front desk crew is responsive in person and to emails.

Staff helped me plan for the trip and helped hugely during -- even got me a doctor in less than an hour when I couldn't shake a cold.

SOTETSU FRESA INN KYOTO – SJIJOKARASUMA

AFFORDABLE CENTRAL LOCATION 

WITH GREAT STAFF AND HELPFUL AMENITIES

There are restaurants and bars within walking distance of Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Shijokarasuma.

But it is located on a super quiet street -- great for sleeping.

The thing to remember about Kyoto is its famous shrines, temples, historic zones, etc. are spread out.

If you visit for more than a day, you will be riding buses and trains to see the famous sites.

So, this is a good and affordable central location.

There also is a large, beautiful bookstore/cafe very near the hotel.

Sotetsu Fresa certainly is more sedate than some spots in Gion -- where the tourists walk the streets and partake of the bars well past midnight.

SOTETSU FRESA INN KYOTO – SJIJOKARASUMA

AFFORDABLE CENTRAL LOCATION 

WITH GREAT STAFF AND HELPFUL AMENITIES

There is a 7-11 24 hour konbini 2 minutes away and a subway station 5 minutes from Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Shijokarasuma.

The pleasant hotel’s location is more in the downtown.

The beloved Gion and Pontocho tourist areas are about a 20-minute walk -- but there is an inexpensive bus to get you there in minutes.

The Daimaru department store's famous basement luxury food hall -- one to rival Harrods -- is 5 minutes way.

The touristy but delicious Nishiki Market and its fresh and diverse street food is 10 minutes away on foot.

SOTETSU FRESA INN KYOTO – SJIJOKARASUMA

AFFORDABLE CENTRAL LOCATION 

WITH GREAT STAFF AND HELPFUL AMENITIES

Long before arriving at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Shijokarasuma, I make a polite request for 2 extra flat sheets.

I got a terse note saying that could not be honored in advance, so I would have to remember to take it up with the desk staff on arrival.

Despite specific verbal and written notes to the staff, on cleaning day -- one of my flat sheets disappeared during the housekeeping visit.

I got back late and was stressed waiting for them to send a new sheet up -- while I remade the bed the way I had done up to my needs.

 

 

 

SOTETSU FRESA INN KYOTO – SJIJOKARASUMA

AFFORDABLE CENTRAL LOCATION 

WITH GREAT STAFF AND HELPFUL AMENITIES

When I booked, I contacted Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Shijokarasuma to request a quiet room -- away from elevators, bars and street noises.

When I arrived, I got a room far enough from the elevators, but next to the stairway of one of the dingiest apartment buildings in all of Kyoto.

I tried to rest for half an hour, but couldn't -- as some sleazy folks were smoking, drinking and talking at the top of their lungs around 4 p.m.

I requested a new room, but it was a pain to put all my belongings back into my single suitcase.

They have no carts to help with moving belongings.

Also, my new room was near the elevator and shared a wall with housekeeping -- so I heard staff banging around in there very early in the morning.

I did not have the energy to request a second room change, so I dealt with it.

SOTETSU FRESA INN KYOTO – SJIJOKARASUMA

AFFORDABLE CENTRAL LOCATION 

WITH GREAT STAFF AND HELPFUL AMENITIES

My Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Shijokarasuma room was small but efficient.

There was a nice sized fridge for storing sodas and food.

The bed was comfy and the tub shower had endless hot water.

There is a full service breakfast place in the lobby.

I felt the price was a tad steep, so I did not partake.

SOTETSU FRESA INN KYOTO – SJIJOKARASUMA

AFFORDABLE CENTRAL LOCATION 

WITH GREAT STAFF AND HELPFUL AMENITIES

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Shijokarasuma sets a nice tone with a long, tranquil, decorative hallway off the street.

The staff is outstanding.

They helped me with the automated check-in and not only found me a full-service grocery within 12 walking minutes, but they also printed a color map.

The second floor lobby is filled with free small items -- toothbrushes, razors, all kinds of amenities.

UENO TOUGANEYA HOTEL TOKYO

PERFECTLY LOCATED NO FRILLS, MOM AND POP PROPERTY WITH EXCELLENT STAFF AND GREAT PRICE POINT

Ueno Touganeya Hotel’s rooms could use a makeover.

They are a bit drab.

With them being so small -- about 100 SF -- they could stand to be modernized.

There is one elevator, so there could be a wait to get up to your room if the property is fully occupied.

It would be nice to have some small breakfast offering -- just some coffee and rolls, so you could get some food on your belly before venturing out for a long day of exploring.

 

UENO TOUGANEYA HOTEL TOKYO

PERFECTLY LOCATED NO FRILLS, MOM AND POP PROPERTY WITH EXCELLENT STAFF AND GREAT PRICE POINT

Ueno Touganeya Hotel’s location by the major hub Ueno train station is a huge plus.

Ueno Station has direct access to Tokyo Station for the Shinkansen bullet trains, as well as only one change for the monorail to Haneda.

During my first stay, I could hear a lot of noise from the floor above.

Asking for a room on the top (6th) floor upon my return solved that problem.

The building is ugly and one of the few in Tokyo with graffiti marks – maybe this keeps the price low.

UENO TOUGANEYA HOTEL TOKYO

PERFECTLY LOCATED NO FRILLS, MOM AND POP PROPERTY WITH EXCELLENT STAFF AND GREAT PRICE POINT

The Ueno Touganeya Hotel front desk staff is very good with English and it was also outstanding at responding to my emailed requests and questions.

I had a request about room location (for my return, 4-day stay after my original 3-day visit) and they were super accommodating.

There is a Lawson 24 hour konbini footsteps away.

Ueno station has a gourmet grocery. 

And there are tons of mom and pop restaurants withing walking distance.

The vibrant Ameyoko shopping street is about 10 minutes away. 

There is some really great street food, sit down spots and discount shopping in the always crowded, noisy strip. 

Thankfully, Ameyoko is on the other side of the huge train station, so none of its raucousness disturbs guests at Touganeya Hotel.

UENO TOUGANEYA HOTEL TOKYO

PERFECTLY LOCATED NO FRILLS, MOM AND POP PROPERTY WITH EXCELLENT STAFF AND GREAT PRICE POINT

The Ueno Touganeya Hotel rooms are tiny, but quiet.

The water pressure and warmth in the shower was fine and the AC worked well.

The bed was comfy and the small desk and drawers were very efficient.

Perhaps the rooms and hallways could use a slight makeover, but then again the price was just a bit more than $100 USD per night including taxes.

Luggage storage was good and secure while I waited for check-in.

UENO TOUGANEYA HOTEL TOKYO

PERFECTLY LOCATED NO FRILLS, MOM AND POP PROPERTY WITH EXCELLENT STAFF AND GREAT PRICE POINT

The Ueno Touganeya Hotel lobby is warm and the staff is outstanding.

There is a small microwave for shared use (none in rooms, but a very tiny fridge is in each room) and a purified water dispenser for filling your bottles.

I did not use the onsite laundry, but that is a good amenity.

There are a few freebies, such as coffee and tea packets plus tiny travel razors/toothbrushes in the lobby.  

UENO TOUGANEYA HOTEL TOKYO

PERFECTLY LOCATED NO FRILLS, MOM AND POP PROPERTY WITH EXCELLENT STAFF AND GREAT PRICE POINT

Ueno Touganeya Hotel is the perfect no frills, small room, great staff lodging for those who want to be five minutes from the major Ueno train station.

The lodging also is about 10 minutes from amazing Ueno Park's 130-plus acres of world class museums, shrines/temples, lake, Tokyo Zoo, festivals and cherry blossom trees in spring/golden trees in fall.

The building is very nondescript and there is zero food available.

HOTEL ANTRE CHAPULTEPEC GUADALAJARA

PERFECT LOCATION, INCREDIBLE VALUE, 

TOP-NOTCH STAFF FOR PROSPEROUS VISIT

Hotel Antre Chapultepec staff is outstanding about explaining the price, departure times, etc. of the tours it sells from the front desk.

I wish it would affiliate with a better tour provider than Jalisco Tour Mendez.

Both daylong tours that I took spent an endless amount of time stopping at horrible restaurants and tourists traps that likely pay the tour company a kickback for depositing hapless tourists at their doorstep.

The base price of the tours is 25 USD -- at that low price, you get a tour that only rates about 2.5 on a scale of one to 5.

 

 

HOTEL ANTRE CHAPULTEPEC GUADALAJARA

PERFECT LOCATION, INCREDIBLE VALUE, 

TOP-NOTCH STAFF FOR PROSPEROUS VISIT

Hotel Antre Chapultepec’s room temperature control is fixed.

You have to ask the front desk to send a person up to set it.

That means you only have a choice of air conditioning on or off -- you cannot adjust it to you comfort.

Please, treat guests like adults, and remove the governor on the temperature settings that can only be overridden with a code used by management.

The breakfast buffet was about 14 USD -- very high by Guadalajara standards.

I checked it out and while it looked clean, it really didn't appear to be worth the money.

I could not justify paying more than 20% of my daily room rate on a breakfast that was not cooked to order and had no luxury items on the buffet tables.