Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho Quality Cheap Budget Tokyo Hotel

During our recent search for a cheap budget Tokyo hotel to stay in for our trip in the capital of Japan, we chanced upon the Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho, which is one of the many low cost business hotels of the Toyoko Inn hotel chain available in the country. It is also one of the best value for money low cost accommodation in Tokyo that we have ever experienced. This is not to be confused with the other Tokyo Inn franchise that is another alternative for anyone looking for cheap Tokyo hotels that can be found. There are many Toyoko Inn hotels available in Tokyo itself, and the popular ones that are snapped up early are in the main areas of Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Shinagawa. The one based in Shinjuku Kabuki-cho is a favorite budget accommodation for many travelers even though it is more expensive compared to the ones outside of the tourist-heavy areas. However, not many realise that the other options are just as good, if not better, and the one we selected - Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho, turned out to be one of the best. With Tokyo's transport system of the rail network being highly efficient and convenient there is no need to go for hotels right smack in the middle of the popular locations.

To term the Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho as a cheap budget Tokyo hotel but offering as much quality for most, if not all, travelers, would be an understatement. How much would it cost to book a room in Tokyo, Japan? Well let's look at our situation. Compared to most of the other Toyoko Inns within Tokyo, it is priced relatively lower, between 7,000 yen to 8,000 yen for a twinbed room depending on which days of the week you stay in, thereby qualifying it easily as a great low cost accommodation option in Tokyo. The Shinjuku Kabuki-cho Toyoko Inn would be a full 1,000 yen more expensive at least for the same type of room. Think of the higher exchange rates for the Japanese yen nowadays. Included in the package are what you would expect from a decent, high quality mid-range business hotel - room cleaning service everyday without fail, replacement of toiletries everyday (more of this later), free Internet service both in the hotel lobby and your room, free colour printing services (handy for emergency maps or notes during your stay), an intercontinental style breakfast (very simple but filling and not too bad), free water cooler, and much more. That is why the Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho is a great quality cheap budget hotel in Tokyo for your holiday in Japan.

The location of the Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho is just as strategically placed for both the holiday maker and business traveler. For JR enthusiasts, it is located near the Bakurocho station on the Yokosuba Soba JR line, just two stops (4 mins) from Tokyo station. The walk from the JR Bakurocho station to the hotel takes roughly 5-8 mins. If you prefer the Tokyo subways, it is even closer to the Bakuro-yokoyama station (Toei Shinjuku line) and Higashi-nihombashi station (Toei Asakusa line). Getting to the various tourist attractions in Tokyo was a breeze from Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho with the strategic train stations located around it.

The rooms in Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho are spotless. Extremely clean and restocked well everyday. The cleaning lady will make her trip around the building from 10am to 3pm, so if you do not intend to leave your room during that period, just inform the hotel staff, who will also give you a call before the rounds. The towels, toothbrushes, razors, combs and other toiletries are restocked brand new everyday, which was very surprising and a pleasant one indeed. The rooms were also cleaned well everyday, with the fresh nightgowns provided everyday as well. The washrooms were also cleaned thoroughly and there were no traces of dirt, grime or even stains.

As with most hotels in Tokyo, the Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho rooms are relatively small compared to ones you might have stayed in elsewhere in the world. Note that Japan is a land scarce country, so this would be understandable. The washrooms are therefore small as well, but still big enough to fit in a bathtub and shower. The comfortable beds, clean and fresh pillows and blankets, as well as cleanliness of the whole place more than made up for the lack of space.

If you need food and places to eat near your hotel, the area around Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho will not disappoint. While just outside the hotel is a Yoshinoya, a couple of standard ramen shops, Chinese culinary shops and even a western style dining restaurant right across the street, if you were to walk just two to three blocks around the corner from the western diner (Jonathan's), you will chance upon a long street of all the great Japanese cuisines - from ramen, to sushi, to yakitori and even a huge gyoza specialty shop. This was a great location for having some late night supper, especially on the weekends when most of the shops closer to the hotel would be closed (due in part to the fact that they mainly serve the working crowd on weekdays). For convenience stores, there is obviously no shortage of that as well around Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho. Every corner you turn will provide one.

There are many great benefits and advantages to choosing Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho as the place to stay during your holiday in Tokyo, not least the fact that it is one of the cheapest budget hotels in Tokyo, with full amenities. The location is brilliant, and close to perfect. Saving money during a holiday in Japan can be difficult due to the high standard of living in the country as well as the rising value of the Japanese yen, but with the Toyoko Inn Nihon-bashi Hamacho providing a rational and value for money option as a low cost budget Tokyo hotel, your problems can be solved easily. If you still need to save more, then perhaps it would be better to opt for a low cost hostel in Tokyo such as this well rated hotel or this Shinjuku hotel which is extremely well-received. Or a ryokan could be your preferred choice if you want a more traditional Japanese living quarters, such as a cheap Japan inn in Shinjuku of which there are a few. But not all of them come cheap, since they are mainly for tourists. There might be other options such as the above mentioned Tokyo Inn, and further information will be provided in the future.

On extra news, the Toyoko Inn has also expanded to South Korea, mainly in Seoul. They have opened a new Seoul Toyoko Inn that provides affordable accommodations in the country with the same principles used for their Japan hotels. While Co-Op Residence has quite a monopoly on the concept of cheap Seoul hotels in the neighboring country, Toyoko Inn obviously hopes to break into and tap the vast tourism opportunities there. With a weakening Korean won and despite a global economic crisis reducing traveling numbers, Seoul will still remain an attractive place to visit. And that is where large numbers of tourists will be seeking budget hotels in Seoul to manage their traveling expenses better. They are set to enjoy the same value Tokyo low cost accommodation that visitors to Japan have had the privilege of receiving for a long time now.

Singapore Hotels - The Best Cheap Singapore Hotels And Where To Find Them

There are many cheap Singapore hotels and you will not have difficulty finding the good ones. Hotels in Singapore are usually reasonably priced, even for the upscale ones. If your budget is not restricted, then finding Singapore hotels to suit your taste will not be an issue and you will probably have trouble deciding on which one to go for as there are simply too many good choices. If you do have a budget and it is tight, do not worry. There are still enough cheap hotels in Singapore with quality rooms and service, especially with Singapore hosting several international events over the next few years which would require quality accomodations and service for the visiting tourists and guests.

The first few Singapore hotels that you really have to try and experience as I was told would be the hotels along Orchard Road. I am not sure of the pricing as I have never tried them myself but have been told by friends that they have been some of the best hotels in Singapore they have ever visited. These are friends who live here and those that visit from abroad. There are many Singapore hotels along Orchard Road, and they are very recognisable and prominent. These Singapore hotel accomodations are also sited right next to shopping malls and convenient public transport, and you will meet many friendly locals and tourists mingling together.

Budget Singapore hotels are also very popular and you might not need to spend so much money on accomodations if you prefer to spend it on sights and sounds. Of course, you might have to navigate yourself away from the seedier hotels in Singapore especially those in red light districts where you might find love hotels instead and will have trouble sleeping at night with all the activities going on around you. Good budget Singapore hotels might not be situated so conveniently and you might end up spending a little of the money saved from not staying at more expensive hotels on transport instead, to bring you around the country. That said, budget Singapore hotels are said to have sufficient quality rooms and the service is not half bad most times.

So where can you find budget Singapore hotels? Perhaps you can find them in areas beyond Orchard Road and in less developed areas. It is good practise to find out more before you book any of these Singapore hotels so that you know what you are in for, and whether you have made the right choices.