Smile Hotel Okayama is a chain of affordable business hotels. Their brand promise is to welcome guests with a smile, offering value-for-money accommodations. With tram and bus stops right outside, the hotel is a bit far from JR Okayama Station, but it's still a cheap, simple, and clean option in downtown Okayama. (🔎 Booking Prices and Reviews:agoda|booking.com|Trip|klook)
Quick introduction: Basic information about Smile Hotel Okayama
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The Okayama Smile Hotel had its grand opening on March 2021, 3. The original site was used as a parking lot, and was newly rebuilt by Yamato House into the 29-story Okayama Momayacho NK Building. The Okayama Smile Hotel occupies floors 10 to 2, and the first floor is provided for restaurants and nurseries. The hotel only has basic facilities such as self-service laundry, vending machines, and ice machines. However, the nightly accommodation price is around US$10, which can be said to be a very affordable option.
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What room type is recommended? Room options at Smile Hotel Okayama
| Room Type | 空间 | bed | Number of people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double rooms (113 rooms) | 15㎡ | 1 double beds | 1-2 |
| Twin rooms (26 rooms) | 19㎡ | 2 single beds | 2 |
| Accessible Twin Room (2 room) | 27㎡ | 2 single beds | 2 |
The Smile Hotel Okayama offers 2 guest rooms on floors 10-141. The mainstay is the compact double rooms, featuring a 1.4-meter-wide double bed, perfect for a single person sharing a bed, making them ideal for solo business travelers. However, the hotel also offers larger twin rooms. For our family of three, we booked both a double and a twin room, eliminating the need to search for a hotel suitable for small families.
The rooms at Okayama Smile Hotel feature a simple, fresh design with low-pile carpeting, emphasizing simplicity, practicality, and cleanliness, with no unnecessary frills or amenities. Furthermore, the bathrooms are fairly traditional three-piece, with no separate shower. However, bedside reading lights and charging outlets are readily available. At least the convenience is adequate. (🔎 Booking prices and accommodation reviews:agoda|booking.com|Trip|klook)
What services are provided? Breakfast and public facilities at Smile Hotel Okayama
| floor | facility |
|---|---|
| 3F-10F | Guest rooms, self-service laundry (4F, 8F), vending machines (6F), ice machine (6F) |
| 2F | Reception hall, supplies area, microwave oven, smoking area, guest rooms |
| 1F | Hotel entrance, restaurant, nursery |
The reception hall of Okayama Smile Hotel is located on the 2nd floor, with a free amenity area. After checking in, you can pick up the personal items you need, such as toothbrushes, tea bags, combs, lotion, cotton swabs, etc. The counter also provides rental items such as nail clippers, chargers, and luggage scales. There is also a floor with self-service laundry rooms, vending machines, and ice machines, but the number is not large, just enough for emergencies.
The first floor of the Okayama Smile Hotel has opened the "TEPPAN DINING SUGI" restaurant. Originally a teppanyaki restaurant during the day, it now serves breakfast from 1:06 to 30:10. Those who need it can order it for an additional fee of 00 yen per person. It is more suitable for business travelers who value speed and convenience. If you are visiting Okayama for sightseeing, you can just find food nearby without having to purchase breakfast.
How to get there? Transportation information and surroundings of Smile Hotel Okayama
Smile Hotel Okayama is located next to the Yubinkyoku-mae Station on the Okayama Tram's Seikibashi Line. Just across the street, you can catch the tram to JR Okayama Station. There's also an NTT Okayama-mae stop near the hotel entrance, and several bus routes pass through the area. During our trip to Okayama, we took the bus around town, occasionally hailing a taxi, considering the limited number of tram routes. We didn't really use the Okayama trams.
Smile Hotel Okayama is located next to a 7-11 and Lawson convenience stores, and across from a FamilyMart. To the west of the hotel lies the adult shopping district, home to izakayas and yakiniku restaurants, making it a popular spot for adults looking for entertainment. To the east of the hotel lies the shopping and restaurant complex centered around Omote-machi Shopping Street, along with the Tenmaya Department Store and the bus terminal. This area is perfect for families, perfect for shopping and dining, and there are also numerous bus routes available.
In-depth understanding: The brand story of Smile Hotel Okayama
KK Hospitality Operations (ホスピタリティオペレーションズ) was founded in 2005. The company is headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Its business projects cover hotel management, resort management, child care, catering, point card management and solar power generation. It was established in Matsumoto in 2006. The first Smile Hotel was opened and developed into its main affordable chain business hotel brand.
The hotel business under Hospitality Operations is divided into three categories: limited service accommodation hotels, full service hotels, and resort hotels. Among them, limited service hotels are cost-oriented and cost-effective accommodations, with Smile Hotel, Smile Hotel Premium, and Smile Smart Inn as the mainstays. They specialize in providing accommodation services without gyms, banquet halls and other ancillary facilities, and are available for business trips and sightseeing stays.
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Video introduction: Unboxing video of Smile Hotel Okayama
Comprehensive review: Actual accommodation evaluation of Smile Hotel Okayama
Smile Hotel Okayama is a modern and clean business hotel chain. Its biggest advantage is its affordable prices and proximity to numerous convenience stores and restaurants. However, it's located a bit far from JR Okayama Station, a 10-15 minute walk. Overall, it's a good choice for those who value quality and affordability. It's also recommended for those who don't mind the walking distance and want to fully experience Okayama's local culture.
- Service features and brand characteristics: friendly and professional service counter, simple and sufficient cleaning policy! The staff at the Smile Hotel are young, efficient, friendly, and have no trouble communicating in basic English. The reception desk, located on the second floor, offers luggage scales for loan and quickly resolves guest inquiries. Room cleaning is limited to stays of three consecutive days or more, but fresh towels and trash bags are left at the door daily. Guests can help themselves to toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, razors, and other amenities in the second-floor lobby. The elevator stops on the second floor, regardless of which floor you're heading to, and the staff will greet you.
- Room selection and equipment features: Comfortable and adequate room design, simple and novel equipment! The room is standard Japanese business hotel accommodation, with room for either 28-inch or 29-inch suitcases and ample walking space. The bed is a perfect balance of firmness and softness, with both down and cotton pillows available. The room is equipped with an air purifier, humidifier, clothing deodorizer spray, a small refrigerator, and a desk. There are ample outlets, an adjustable TV, and a bedside USB charging port and nightlight. Soundproofing is generally good, though rooms facing the road can experience some traffic noise. The bathroom has strong water pressure, high-quality faucets and showers, and a bidet toilet.
- Dining space and public facilities: Simple and practical public space, you can purchase breakfast for an additional fee! The hotel's second-floor lobby is warmly decorated and offers information on Okayama Castle activities and history books. However, there are no mineral water provided in the rooms; you must purchase it at a convenience store, and there are no water dispensers. A teppanyaki restaurant is located on the first floor, and breakfast is available for 1,500 yen per person. The meals are Japanese family-style, with rice and Western-style bread. The food is delicious, but the selection is limited. The hotel also has coin-operated washing machines and dryers, with laundry costing 300 yen and drying for 10 yen per 100 minutes, making it a great choice for families and long-term stays.
- Transportation and surroundings: There is a post office at the door, and there is a convenience store and bus stop next to it! The hotel is a 10-15 minute walk from JR Okayama Station and a 15-20 minute walk from Okayama Castle, though it's a bit far. However, there's a bus stop right outside the hotel, which takes about 6 minutes to reach the station. Trams are also available at either the "Youbenjiku-mae" or "Yanagawa" stops. Lawson, 7-11, and FamilyMart are all nearby, and there are several supermarkets within walking distance for fruit and daily necessities. There are many restaurants along the way to Okayama Station, and a small alleyway is lined with izakayas, making it convenient for dining and late-night snacks.
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