08th Jan2012

Tokyo Hotel – the b Ochanomizu

by Min

Where to stay in Tokyo – the b Ochanomizu

Tokyo has many hotels. I mean ‘MANY’ hotels, but due to a budget constraint, I usually stay in business hotels. Not sure if anyone stayed in business hotels before, but it’s basically pretty small space with a clean bathroom and internet.

My boyfriend and I decided to stay in ‘the b Ochanomizu’ mainly because of the location. It was close to my sister’s place but we liked this hotel and we may stay there again.

Location, Location, Location

This hotel is located in Awajicho. Hotel name is ‘Ochanomizu’ (I picked this hotel simply because I thought it’s in Ochanomizu), but it’s closer to Awajicho subway station. From Ochanomizu station, it’s about 12 min walk while from Awajicho station, it’s less than 1 min. The hotel was easy to find and the location was really convenient. You get off via A5 exit of Marumouchi Line (Red Line) and you’ll see ‘Tully’s Coffee’. Standing Tully’s Coffee on your right, you walk up about 20m and you will find a Music store. Once you’re near the music store, you will find the hotel, behind the main street.

Awajicho station has 3 subway lines (Green, Red and Shinjuku line) and it’s a walking distance to Akihabara (electronic shops area) and JR line is available in Akihabara station. It was convenient to go to Tokyo station, Ginza, Roppongi, Shibuya and Omotesando and pretty much major areas.

Room

For Japanese hotels, we should assume that the rooms are really small. Some hotel rooms I find suffocating. We booked ‘Economy Double Room’ and it’s 15 sqm and bed width was 140 cm. Here are the room photos.

This pic is out of focus, but I wanted to show how little the closet space was. My luggage did not fit in. :(

It looked like pants/shirts presser for business travelers. We never used it.

This little kettle was cute and useful, but it took longer time than electronic kettle.

Breakfast

Breakfast was included in our package so one morning, we decided to try. It was western style, comes with Coffee, egg, bread, salad, orange juice, etc. It was not bad but we didn’t enjoy that much. It was just basic, nothing much.

Internet

Wireless internet was free in the lobby area and you need to ask for the password at the reception. There’s one laptop in lobby area you can use for free,too. In room, LAN internet access is available as long as you bring your laptop. Wireless internet access was not available in room, but I managed to use wireless internet via my boyfriend’s laptop.

Language/Service

Many times I encountered difficulty in communication while traveling Japan, this time was not that bad. The staffs were friendly and their English is good. I asked for the direction to go to Akihabara, and the staff explained in English along with English-written area map, which was really helpful. The service in general was good.

 

What I liked

- Location : It was convenient to go around major popular places in Tokyo.

- Value for Money: It was reasonably priced for the good location. Zuji package was good! Check out the latest price! ZUJI Singapore

- Hot shower : It was cold while we were there and we loved the hot shower in the bathroom everyday. I ended up spending 20 min under hot shower almost everyday.

- Convenient stores nearby : There were couple of convenient stores nearby and it was good to take a walk at night to get some food at convenient stores.

 

What I didn’t like

- Breakfast : It was just basic.

- Room size: It was small size room, compared to hotels in other countries. But it’s an average size in Japan hotels.

 

Will I go back?

I don’t mind.

Check out the room rate or Travel Package!

- Zuji.com : ZUJI Singapore

- Agoda.com : the B Ochanomizu

- Booking.com : Booking.com

- Hotel’s website: For more photos and direct reservation. Check out other ‘the b’ hotels in Tokyo, too!

 

 

24th Nov2011

Tokyo Tokyo!!

by Min

This is going to be a short post as I have to leave home to catch a 6am flight. (Now it’s 2am and just finished packing…)

Yes, I’m going to Tokyo! I’ve been to Tokyo many times, but this time, I’m going there with my boyfriend as a celebration of both my birthday (Nov 26) and his birthday (Dec 1). After so many thoughts on where to go, (our candidate places were Turkey, Capri, Santorini, Hallstatt & Vienna and Tokyo. Finally, we decided to go to Japan.

I have my elder sister living in Tokyo and a close friend, so for me, it’s great to play with my little nephew who started to say a couple of words recently and I can’t wait to meet my friend there as well. For my boyfriend, he’s got a potential business partner(??) who will take us to all those hot spots/ must-go places in Tokyo this time.

We booked a package at ZUJI Singapore “the b Ochanomizu” because it’s near to my sister’s place and the location is actually quite convenient. I will write a review about this hotel once I return and of course, nice places to go in Tokyo as well.

It’s a free wifi in the hotel, so hopefully I have time to write some posts while in Japan, and hopefully I’m not too tired after all the walking. (Japan is too expensive to take a taxi like I do in Singapore.)

Still haven’t decided where to go or what to do on my birthday (I’m turning 30 in a couple of days!!! OMG!), but I’m thinking of going to Tokyo Tower… It’s been a while that I went to Tokyo tower last time and it will be special to go there with my boyfriend.

So so, please check out my blog in a couple of days later and I’ll keep you posted on my Tokyo trip!

 

 

26th Oct2011

Ubud, Bali Hotel – Komaneka Bisma

by Min

Komaneka Bisma – Total Bliss

While I was working for Microsoft, my only hope to survive the work stress was to daydream about where to go for the next holiday. My favorite destination is Bali. Till then, I’ve stayed only near Kuta, Seminyak so I decided to stay in Ubud for 2 nights before my friend joined me at Seminyak. After a long search for hotels in Ubud, (tell me about it.. so many hotels in Ubud!! ) I decided to stay in Komaneka Bisma.

Komaneka Bisma was slightly above my budget (my usual budget per night when traveling alone is USD 100-200), but it was my special treat for myself for working like crazy for past 3 years.

Upon my arrival, I was blown away with the view at the lobby area and its serenity. The hotel staffs were friendly and very welcoming for all guests. One thing to highlight during the whole stay, the service in this hotel was excellent.

Room

I booked ‘Bisma Suite’ and the room was spacious with a huge bathroom (which I love). The view was facing rice paddy and it comes with Apple TV. I ended up watching 2-3 movies a day without stepping out of my room.

Enjoyed the free movies and vast choices of music while taking a long bath

View from my bed next morning

Pool

Pool is important for a beach-girl like me. If you see any Komaneka pool photos by professionals, it is better, but this was what I took with my little camera.  It has two pools and Komaneka has this beautiful umbrella (or parasol?) and I was very happy and relaxed to lie down and enjoy the sun.

2nd Pool and it’s more for family and kids.

Food

You can have your breakfast in your room or restaurant on the first floor. So, one morning I had it in my room and the other morning at the restaurant. The interior design of the restaurant is tasteful and I really like the theme of door all around this hotel. Food was great, especially this Muesli and fresh fruit juice. Pancake was so-so and too thick for me. Muesli itself was very filling for me. Also, as many of Ubud hotels, Komaneka provides free afternoon tea everyday and it was great. If you are not a big fan of strong Bali coffee, go for Earl gray. Also, I ordered dinner in one night and Nasi Goreng was amazingly good!

Breakfast in my terrace

Restaurant

Restaurant

In room, free afternoon tea (You must try the cookies in the jar! So good!)

I enjoyed the afternoon tea by the lobby while watching the rain

What I Loved

The owner of this hotel is the owner of Neka museum. You can feel his appreciation of art all around the hotel. You can get free entry to Neka Museum. Attention to details in the hotel is something to highlight. In the closet, mosquito repellent, basket, and hats are available. The turn-down service at 8pm daily was something that I looked forward to. The room changed its mood to a romantic setting with candles on and Komaneka pajamas were laid out on the bed. I loved the pajamas! Silky and soft feel. I wanted to buy one but my size was out of stock.

Location

The only downside of Komaneka Bisma was the location. It is not located at Monkey Forrest road where most of shops, restaurants, and spas are. It’s slightly off road from the main road. The hotel has a frequent shuttle to Ubud Market and Neka Museum and other places. The shuttle service was nice and nothing to complaint about. You can walk to major spots but I would not recommend.

Komaneka now has 4 hotels in Ubud. If you must stay at a hotel at Monkey Forrest road, you can stay at “Komaneka at Monkey Forrest’. Komaneka Bisma is its 3rd hotel in Ubud. Now a new one, Komaneka Rasa Sayang, is open and it’s closer to Monkey Forrest road. You can see the locations of its hotels.

 (Map from Komaneka website)

Price

I recall the price per night was around USD 250 including taxes in Sept last year (2010). But as I check the prices these days, it seems the price has gone down slightly.  It’s ‘above budget’ price range for me, but I think it was worthy.

Agoda.com : Komaneka Bisma Room Rate

Zuji.com: ZUJI Singapore: Travel Your Way

Will I Go Back?

Yes, Definitely! I want to take my boyfriend here soon!

Check out more professionally taken photos from Komaneka Website.

Komaneka Website

 

 

 

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