Planning a trip to Tokyo during the enchanting cherry blossom season? You’ll want to see the city’s famed parks adorned with delicate pink and white blossoms. But with countless hotels vying for your attention, choosing the right place to stay can be a challenge. And finding a comfortable, affordable hotel for a large group? That’s even trickier!
But we discovered a hotel that surpasses all expectations – the Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie. This hidden gem ticked all our boxes and more, especially for those planning a visit to Tokyo Disneyland, just a 10-minute train ride away!
More Than Just a Place to Sleep: Comfort and Convenience at its Finest
The Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie is a mere minute’s walk from Shiomi Station on the Keiyo line, conveniently located just a few stops from Tokyo Station. Step out the east exit, and the hotel is right there, making it incredibly easy to find.
We had the pleasure of staying in a spacious “Wayoshitsu” 4-bed room, a traditional Japanese-style tatami room with modern Western-style beds instead of futons. A low table and chairs occupied the center, surrounded by the four beds.
Despite the abundance of furniture, the room never felt cramped. The low-lying beds contributed to the sense of spaciousness, while the window offered a tranquil view of a lush terrace, adding to the open feel.
The room was flooded with natural light, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The “chairs,” unlike ordinary cushions, were slightly elevated, making them incredibly comfortable. The room beautifully blended modern amenities with the charm of a traditional onsen ryokan inn, offering the best of both worlds.
Thoughtful Amenities Designed for Comfort and Convenience
The Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie is more than just a hotel – it’s a haven of thoughtful amenities designed for your comfort and convenience. This hotel was truly designed with guests in mind!
The room was spacious enough to accommodate four people comfortably. The washroom, for instance, featured two sinks, a welcome feature for a room sleeping four. Two mirrors outside the washroom provided ample space for everyone to get ready in the morning.
The closet was a marvel in itself, offering ample space not only for coats and jackets but also for large luggage.
The room was brimming with amenities, going far beyond just a hot water kettle. A Nespresso machine, a scale, a child-friendly stool for the sink, and a shoe dryer were just a few of the thoughtful touches that made us feel right at home.
The bathroom amenities provided included toothbrushes and bath towels, but if you needed anything else, the Amenity Port by the front desk had all the essentials – from make-up remover and face toner to hair bands.
But the real highlight was the bath salts. The hotel offered a wide array of bath salts in different scents and colors, including bubble bath powder, allowing guests to mix and match to create their own personalized bath experience.
We were so overwhelmed with the choices that we ended up taking two baths during our stay to enjoy the different options. After all, leisurely baths are a quintessential part of any vacation.
Exquisite Dining: A Culinary Journey for the Senses
Beyond its comfortable accommodations, the Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie offers a memorable dining experience.
The hotel’s Japanese restaurant, Akekure, exclusive to guests, presents a premium dinner called “Akekure Gozen.”
Each dish was a culinary masterpiece, highlighting the natural flavors of the ingredients. The exquisite combination of textures and umami, served on beautiful dishes, created a luxurious experience for both our eyes and taste buds.
Breakfast was served in the main dining room, “Ensemble,” and offered a delightful buffet featuring both Japanese and Western cuisines.
Our personal favorite was the “Ochazuke and Okayu” section, featuring an array of ingredients to top your green tea rice (ochazuke) or rice porridge (okayu). With so many tempting options, we couldn’t resist going back for seconds!
The breakfast buffet was so plentiful that we were completely satisfied before embarking on our day’s adventures.
Beyond the Basics: Extraordinary Amenities for Every Need
The Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie goes above and beyond to cater to every need.
The hotel boasts an extensive collection of over 1,000 manga volumes, which guests can borrow for free and enjoy in the comfort of their rooms.
In addition to the standard amenities like microwaves, vending machines, and coin-operated laundry facilities, the hotel also houses a convenience store and a fashion outlet store, both incredibly convenient for guests.
The only minor drawback was the lack of cute cafes nearby, but for some, that might not be a deal breaker, especially considering the hotel’s convenient location for exploring the heart of Tokyo.
The area surrounding the hotel is peaceful and quiet, providing the perfect respite from the bustling city, ensuring a good night’s rest.
A Perfect Choice for Your Tokyo Escape
We booked our stay through the Hotels.com app, which offered a special price starting at 11,420 yen (US$77.99) per person per night for the four-person room, including breakfast. You also have the option to omit breakfast for a starting price of 9,000 yen.
If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo this spring, perhaps to visit Tokyo’s newest hot-spring bathhouse and foodie spot, the Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie is an excellent choice for your stay.
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