Osaka Hotel Recommendation and Review: Dotonbori Hotel

As we all know, everything in Japan is expensive and hotels are definitely not an exception. Since it was still winter when I went to Japan, I ensured that my accommodation will be able to keep me warm. I also went for value since I was alone. Good thing I found Dotonbori Hotel which was I was able to book at JPY7,400 (Php3,700) per night for a single room- already cheap for Japan hotel standards. 

Since it's really cheap, don't expect much [e.g., the room is small (at least the one I got) and so is the bathroom, the bed and linens are not as comfortable as a 5-star's]. However, it has all the basic stuff you want: a bed to sleep on, an ensuite bathroom, towels & toiletries, a good location, and an English-speaking receptionist. Just a tip, it has smoking and non-smoking floors so make sure you specify your preference.

Here's a better idea of what to expect after entering this hotel's facade:

Amenities 

Free Use of Computers with Internet Access 

Lobby Cafe

Vender Room: Vending machines for drinks (tea, juice, mineral water), liquor (beer, low-malt beer, shochu and soda water, whisky), and snacks are available at market prices on the 5th and 7th floors. Ice machines and microwave ovens are also provided for use free of charge.

 

There is also a coin laundry on the first floor. Inform the front desk if you'll use as the detergent is free.

Room - Basic but clean! Mineral water (one 500 ml plastic bottle) is provided free of charge in the refrigerator of each room. 

 

Origami surprise that awaits you upon arrival

Bathroom/Toilet - It's actually a portable CR fitted inside your room. Small but high-tech! Goods Provided: Toothbrush set (with medicated toothpaste), razor (with shaving cream), hair brush, rinse, shampoo, body soap, body sponge, cotton pads, cotton buds, green tea, Japanese plum and kelp tea, and slippers (may take for home use). The hotel also provides a ladies’ set (cleansing sheet, washing foam, lotion, milky lotion, hair clip) for those ladies who request it.

 

 

Now you know why it's high-tech!

Hallway - Showed just to let you know what to expect. There are 2 trouser presses per floor (next to the elevator).

 

Breakfast - Are you wondering if a breakfast buffet is include in the cost? It's not. Breakfast is from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, with a wide variety of Japanese and Western dishes served buffet style. Included are home baked bread, dim sum dishes such as steamed dumplings, traditional menu of rice, miso soup, grilled fish, cooked dishes, salad, fruit, and various drinks. The breakfast hall is located on the basement floor, one floor below the frontdesk. Breakfast fee is regularly 1000 yen (tax and service charges included) per person. Breakfast tickets may be purchased the previous day in advance, for 900 yen. Can't say anything about it since I wasn't able to try it myself.

Recommendation:

If you're looking for a basic hotel at a very good location, Dotonbori is a good choice! The hotel is very near train stations and the Dotonbori area is a popular shopping, entertainment, and food destination. 

Some details were taken from: http://www.dotonbori-h.co.jp/index.html

Vietnam Hotel Review - Bich Duyen Hotel

Related posts:
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh (aka Saigon), Vietnam


My basic qualifications in choosing a hotel are cleanliness and a good location at a good price. Since Vietnam is a backpacker's haven, finding a hotel that met all the qualities I've mentioned was relatively easy. Because I tried to book almost two months in advance, I was lucky enough to get a reservation in the highly-recommended Bich Duyen Hotel in Ho Chi Minh (aka Saigon), Vietnam.

While there are glitzy hotel options in Saigon, I opted to stay in a budget hotel and didn't regret the savings I made. I paid USD27 per night for a room with one double bed and one single bed plus breakfast for two. I also opted to arrange an airport pickup for USD13 because of our midnight arrival. If you want to arrange a cab back to the airport, they will arrange it for you for USD8.

To have a better picture of what to expect, here are the photos I took:

Bich Duyen is located in an alley along with other budget hotels. You may be a bit wary but you don't have to worry as it's perfectly safe. You might even enjoy the "backpacker" vibe as the area is full of tourists. 

 

The rooms are well-maintained.

The bathrooms are spotlessly clean.

 

The reception area manned by "Chanh", the hotel's hospitable, energetic, and helpful manager. He can also book tours for you.

The breakfast is croissant with butter and jam. You also get free Vietnamese coffee which was really good! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take photos of the breakfast as I didn't expect that I will be putting up a blog when I went to Vietnam. Nonetheless, I took a picture of their dining area's uniquely arranged napkins.

Now, if you're convinced that you want to book this hotel, here are the contact details:

Address: 283/4 Pham Ngu Lao St., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

E-mail:  bichduyenhotel@yahoo.com

Phone No: + 84 8 38374588

Tip: Try to book the rooms at the lower levels because they don't have elevators.

Final verdict: Highly recommended for its value! Will definitely stay there again given the chance.

Paris Hotel Recommendation - Campanile Paris XV

Related posts:
- Top 12 Paris (minus my food adventure) -
- What to Eat in Paris -

"che said...

thank you for sharing your photos and will include it to my must-visit places

what hotel did you stay? i'm searching for a hotel- 3 days in Paris but it's quite expensive. do you have any recommendation? thanks"

The above comment made me so happy because it's the first time a visitor of this blog sought for a recommendation. As a sign of gratitude, I decided to make an entire review of the hotel where I stayed. I believe the hotel also deserves this because I am according it a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating. Please note that my HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating is mainly on value-for-money. There are lots of glitzy hotels in Paris but they surely come with glaring prices. Even if you have the money to spend on fancy hotels, I'm sure you wouldn't mind spending that on shopping or dining instead.

Paris is such an expensive city partially because it is the world's most popular tourist destination with an estimated 27 million visitors per year (think of law of supply and demand). Although it is the world's most popular destination, it is very hard to find "value-for-money" accommodations. While I was researching for my Euro Trip, I encountered a lot of Paris hotel horror stories. Luckily, I stumbled upon a two-star hotel named Campanile Paris XV located at 30 Rue Saint Charles, 15th Arr., 75015 Paris. (Note that there are several Campanile Hotels in Paris)

Now, here are the reasons why Campanile Paris XV got its HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating:

1. Strategic Location - The hotel is just two to three blocks from the Metro Station. It is walking distance from the Eiffel Tower, which is very visible if you step outside of the hotel.

2. Relatively Cheap - If you've been scouting for accommodations in Paris, I'm sure you would agree that this is already cheap. If you find a cheaper deal, it is most likely that the hotel is either remotely located (Campanile XV is within central Paris and is walking distance from Eiffel) or dirty (yes, I've read a lot of Paris Hotel Horror Stories).

Price I paid: USD94/night or USD282 for 3 nights (April 2 to April 5, 2010)

3. Spotlessly Clean - It's not a fancy hotel but I can vouch for it's cleanliness. 

 

Some other images:

View from my room

The buffet breakfast area (Having a "free" buffet breakfast means that your room will cost more... It's not free after all! I decided to opt out because I wanted to eat as much local food)

Points for consideration: 

Here are some of the things which you may set you back from Campanile Paris XV. But personally, I don't mind them:

1. Very small elevator - This is common in Paris because each square meter is very expensive. I think the elevator will only fit two to three people. If you have a luggage with you, I think it's only good for one.

2. Narrow hallways - Same logic as above... making the most out of every square meter

My seal of confidence: I will book in this hotel again given the chance to go back to Paris!