Stayed in a smoking double room for a Multiple Night Stay in Iwaki City for work.
Here’s my review from the perspective of a heavy smoker and drink enthusiast.
Location: There is a parking lot right in front of the hotel with a maximum fee of ¥500 for 24 hours. A convenience store (Lawson), a day-use Onsen (Sahako no Yu), and Yumoto Station are all about a 5-minute walk away, making the location very convenient. However, there are very few dining options, even around the station, so it’s necessary to do some research in advance. I walked up and down the nearby streets twice and found only one izakaya where smoking was allowed ("Odoriba" near the station). The friendly hostess, affordable drinks, and smoking-friendly environment were great, but unfortunately, the place is set to close in a year due to station redevelopment. Many shops had their shutters down, possibly due to the off-season.
The adjacent yakitori restaurant "Juhachiban" does not allow smoking but had pleasant service and reasonable prices for a tourist area, making it a recommended spot. Further down, the bar "Mai Tai" seemed to allow smoking at its outdoor sidewalk seating, but I didn’t try it as it looked stylish and seemed a bit pricey.
Hotel Room: The glass-walled bathroom (frosted glass, but still) felt a bit uncomfortable. Other than that, there were no major issues. The room was clean and well-maintained. Unlike many hotels where removing the key card cuts off all electricity, this hotel allowed the refrigerator to stay on while I was out, which was convenient for keeping drinks cold during a Multiple Night Stay. The availability of an extension cord was also a nice touch.
Other Notes: There is no ice machine or ice service at the front desk, so I had to buy ice from the convenience store for in-room drinks. There is a vending machine for beer and sours next to the front desk. A map of nearby restaurants is also available at the front desk, which was helpful for exploring the area.
Considering the rising prices of hotels recently, this hotel offered excellent value for money. The room facilities and location made it a very cost-effective choice.