Unbelievable Hirosaki Hotel Deal: Route Inn Ekimae - Book Now!
Unbelievable Hirosaki Hotel Deal: Route Inn Ekimae - Book Now! - A Rambling, Honest, and Maybe Slightly Crazy Review
Okay, people, buckle up. Because this ain't your typical, sterile hotel review. We're diving deep into the Route Inn Ekimae in Hirosaki, Japan. "Unbelievable Deal" they say? Well, we're about to find out. And trust me, I've seen some hotels. I've lived in some hotels. So, let's peel back the layers, shall we?
First Impressions: Accessibility, or "Can a Clumsy Person Survive?"
Alright, right off the bat, let's talk about getting in and out. Accessibility: Crucial. I'm not personally in a wheelchair, but I appreciate a smooth entrance. The Route Inn Ekimae, from what I gathered (though I'm not a comprehensive accessibility expert, I judge based on observation and general ease), seemed pretty decent. Elevator? Check. Wheelchair accessible rooms? Probably, given their focus on facilities for disabled guests, but definitely double-check when booking. That first impression is crucial, and I didn't trip and fall immediately entering, which is a win in my book. CCTV in common areas and outside property? Yep. Always a good thing for a little extra reassurance, even for a klutz like me.
Inside the Fortress of Comfort: My Room (and My Obsessive-Compulsive Checklist)
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: Available in all rooms? Yes! And here's where the review gets real, folks. My room? Standard. But clean, and that's what matters. Air conditioning? Oh, thank goodness. I run hot, you see. Blackout curtains? Yes, again. I need darkness like a vampire. Free Wi-Fi? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!? YES, again! Essential! And here’s a little secret: I always check for those freebies immediately.
Now, my inner psycho-checklist took off: Air conditioning (already covered!), Alarm clock (thank god for that!), Bathrobes! (YES!), Bathroom phone!? I never used it. And I'm pretty sure I'd be too busy wrestling with the bidet. Bathtub? Got one! Closet? Plenty of space for my hoarding tendencies. Coffee/tea maker? Crucial early-morning survival. Complimentary tea? Winning! Daily housekeeping? Bless their hearts. Extra long bed? YES! I'm tall and appreciate it more than you know. Hair dryer? Check! In-room safe box? Always love that thing! Internet access – wireless? Double YES! Ironing facilities? Yeah, I don't use them. But they're there! Laptop workspace? A desk, perfect for my chaotic scribbles. Mini bar? I skipped it. Non-smoking? A must for sensitive noses like mine, and it's a win! Private bathroom? Duh. Refrigerator? Got one. Seating area? A chair and a table, absolutely great. Shower? Check. Slippers? Oh boy, oh boy! A must for any hotel I live in. Smoke detector? Always important. Soundproofing? Didn’t annoy me. Telephone? See above. Toiletries? Got them. Wake-up service? Crucial. Wi-Fi [free]? Absolutely! Window that opens? Needed a little fresh air.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Tourist Beast
The breakfast buffet was, well, a breakfast buffet. They had a Western breakfast and, of course, an Asian breakfast. You can't not eat at a buffet, even if you're not particularly hungry. The coffee shop? Present and accounted for! I loved the bottle of water they provided. The restaurants were bustling, and a few restaurants offering Asian cuisine were popular. There was even a Happy hour, which I clearly missed out on (curse my jetlag!). Overall, the Daily breakfast was a great experience.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Because, You Know, Vacations)
The hotel probably has Fitness center and a Gym/fitness, but I definitely missed it. Spa/sauna? Sorry, I forgot to visit. I'm a terrible reviewer sometimes.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Post-Pandemic Reality
Let's be real: we're all a bit hygiene-obsessed now. Anti-viral cleaning products? Probably. Felt clean. Daily disinfection in common areas? I believe so. Hand sanitizer? Everywhere. Room sanitization opt-out available? Yes. I didn't, but I liked the option. The staff seemed genuinely concerned about safety. Staff trained in safety protocol? I'd bet money on it. Good job, Route Inn!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference
This is where the Route Inn shines. Concierge? Helpful. Convenience store? Amazing! A 24-hour convenience store downstairs saved me from starvation at 3 am. Currency exchange? Probably, but I forgot. Daily housekeeping? Lifesavers. Elevator? A must! Facilities for disabled guests? A plus! Laundry service? Very convenient. Luggage storage? Always a godsend before check-in or after check-out. Safety deposit boxes? Safe. The 24-hour front desk was a plus.
For the Kids (and the Kid in All of Us!)
Look, I'm not a parent, but I saw families. Family/child friendly? Yes! The hotel seemed welcoming. There was Babysitting service, if you're into that.
The Offer: My Honest Plea - "Book This Damn Hotel!"
Look, is the Route Inn Ekimae the fanciest hotel I've ever stayed in? Nope. Is it perfect? Nope. But listen, people, this is a great deal. Let me rephrase that: this is a FANTASTIC deal.
Here's why you should book, based on my slightly messy, honest experience:
- Location, location, location: Right near the station! Easy access to everything Hirosaki has to offer. Getting around? You’re golden!
- Cleanliness and safety: They take it seriously. Which is super important in these times.
- The convenience store: Seriously, it's worth mentioning again.
- The little things: The free Wi-Fi, the helpful staff, the decent breakfast. They add up.
- It's a solid, reliable base for exploring Hirosaki, and you can sleep at ease.
Why not? Book it before it's too late! You won't regret it. And hey, if you see a slightly disheveled person wandering around, it might just be me. Don't be shy, say hi!
Windermere House: Your Dream Windermere (ON) Escape Awaits!
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because this is the kind of itinerary that unfolds like a half-eaten onigiri – a little messy, a little crumbly, but ultimately, satisfying. We're heading to Hirosaki, Japan, baby! And we're starting at the gloriously convenient Hotel Route Inn Hirosaki Ekimae. Prepare yourselves for… well, me trying not to completely mess this up.
(Day 1: Arrival, Ramen, and the Great Apple Hunt – with a side of "OMG, I forgot my adapter!")
14:00 (give or take… let's be honest, probably more like 14:30): Arrive at Hirosaki Station. Jet lag? Oh, honey, jet lag is just a polite suggestion at this point. I'm fueled by caffeine and sheer, unadulterated excitement (and maybe a touch of anxiety – did I pack enough socks?). The Hotel Route Inn is practically a hop, skip, and a jump from the station. Score! Thank god for good location because I'm already questioning my ability to operate.
14:45 (ahem…): Check-in. Hopefully, the nice person at reception speaks a smidge of English because my Japanese is limited to "konnichiwa" and "arigato," which, as I recall, only gets you so far when negotiating for a better room. (Note to self: Learn "room with a good view" before next trip, or at least how to gesticulate enthusiastically.)
- Rambling Break: The room itself… Oh. It’s compact, but hey, it's clean, it has a tiny fridge (essential for my late-night snack stash!), and the bathroom… Yes, the bathroom is a marvel of miniature efficiency. Seriously, Japan’s ability to cram functionality into a space the size of my walk-in closet back home still amazes me. I swear, I could live in this bathroom. Probably wouldn't, but I could.
15:30 (maybe? Okay, fine, 16:00): The Great Ramen Quest begins! Found a tiny ramen shop near the hotel. Reviews said it was "legendary" and I can never resist a good noodle-based hype review. Getting there was it's own adventure, getting lost just around the corner a few times. The moment I entered the smell…oh My God. I knew I had to have this one. I was not disappointed. The broth? Divine. The noodles? Perfect. The experience? Made my heart sing. I will never forget this bowl of Ramen. I've already declared it the best ramen I've ever had, ever. I could have cried. I might have actually shed a tear. Don't judge.
17:00 (ish): Apple hunt! Hirosaki is famous for its apples. Seriously, they're everywhere. I'm talking apple juice, apple pies, apple-flavored Kit Kats (which I am very excited about, by the way). My mission? To find the perfect souvenir – a ridiculously cute apple-shaped trinket. This, however, involved getting hopelessly lost in a side street market, accidentally buying five bags of dried squid snacks (don't ask), and nearly getting run over by a tiny, but determined, delivery truck. I should have bought that apple!
19:00 (give or take a slight nervous breakdown): Back at the hotel. I might order some food, because I am in love with this little hotel and I cannot take more adventure today.
20:00 (or whenever I stop staring at the ceiling): Early night, because tomorrow is when we properly start touring.
- Imperfection Alert: I WILL get better at this "pacing" thing, I swear. And maybe I'll actually learn some useful Japanese phrases. And maybe I'll remember to pack the damn adapter next time. But for now, I'm alive, I have ramen in my belly, and tomorrow, we apple-hunting again the real fun begins.
(Day 2: Castle, Temple Tranquility, and the Unforeseen Karaoke Catastrophe)
08:00 (Let's be honest, 09:00): Breakfast at the hotel! The buffet is a thing of beauty, even if I spend most of my time staring blankly, trying to remember where I put my coffee. I'm going for the Japanese breakfast, of course! (And a slice of toast, because, you know, balance.)
09:30 (or later): Hirosaki Castle. This place is stunning. I have never seen anything like this before. The cherry blossoms, the stone walls… I spent 45 minutes just wandering around, taking pictures, and generally feeling like I'd stumbled into a postcard. The wind was a bit nippy, but who cares? I'd put on a jacket and got a scarf, this was a journey, not a destination!
12:30: Lunch. Found a tiny soba restaurant. I'm starting to think I like every kind of Japanese food, they are all just so good!
14:30 (Maybe?): Exploring a temple. The air is so peaceful, and quiet and serene. This would be an amazing thing to have in my country. If this whole trip wasn't already perfect, this was, definitely the icing on the cake. I need something like this in my life.
17:00 (ish): Karaoke. Look, I thought I was prepared. But the flashing lights, the questionable song choices (yes, I did sing "Livin' on a Prayer"), and the complete and utter lack of ability to actually carry a tune? It's a bad, bad idea. Let's just say the experience was… memorable. In the "I'm pretty sure I mortified myself for life" kind of memorable.
19:00: Back to the hotel. I am now avoiding eye contact with anyone. I eat convenience store food. I will hide in my room all night.
(Day 3: The Apple Orchard Adventure and Departure (with a side of profound reflection))
09:00 (okay, maybe I'll actually be on time today!): Morning, sunshine! I'm starting to get the hang of this jet lag thing.
10:00: Apple orchard! I'm absolutely determined to get my apple fix this time. We went to an actual orchard. It was an amazing experience to work with the farmers and talk to them!
13:00: Last lunch. I don't want this trip to end. I am in love with the people, the cities, and the food!
14:00: Back to Hirosaki Station.
14:30: Head to the airport.
15:00: Fly Home.
Rambling, Emotional Postscript: Okay, so maybe this wasn't the most perfectly planned trip. But it was mine. It was filled with laughter, awkward moments, delicious food (and questionable karaoke). It was an experience I won't ever forget. Next time, Tokyo, I'm coming for you!
So, who *are* you, anyway? Like, the *actual* you?
What's your biggest pet peeve? Spill it!
What's something you're actually *good* at? Be honest.
What’s a time you completely messed up? Like, epically?
What’s something you're irrationally afraid of?
What's your ideal day off?
What motivates you?
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
What do you do when you're feeling down? Be honest!
