Monday, December 13, 2010

Japan Trip Day 2 - Checked in Sardonyx Hotel (Review)

Check-in was fast and our rooms were 901 (twin room) and 902 (double). The twin room rate was 10,600yen and double room rate was 8,700yen. Many people stay here on business trips so during weekends, the double bed room rate becomes cheaper. Rate includes a very hearty and complete breakfast at level 1 at Italian Tomato Jr Cafe. It comes with soup, 4 different main courses to choose from and tea/coffee and juice. Breakfast is rarely provided by hotels in Tokyo but Sardonyx provides it.

I loved its central location near JR Okachimachi station, situated along the Yamanote JR line as Tokyo and 1 station away from Akihabara. It it right in the middle, between Shinjuku/Harajuku and Maihama, Disneyland. It is also only 4 stations away from Asakusa. You can take Keisei Limited Express or Skyliner from Narita, which is cheaper than Narita Express, to Keisei Ueno Station. And from Keisei Ueno station, it is possible to walk with big luggages to the hotel in about 8mins. There is no need to take taxi. It is also served by 3 subway lines, Ginza, Toei Oedo and Hibiya. Because of this, it is very easy to reach other parts of Tokyo. And Disneyland can be reached in about 20mins via Hibiya/Keiyo line. This hotel also serves as base point for storing our big luggages. Hotel will keep the luggages for a week, even if you are not checking in again. This is really a very nice gesture and great service.

All amenities are provided. There is also coin operated washing machines/dryers in its premises. The room is adequate and compact, though with little walking space once the luggages are open. But the Simmons bed is comfortable.

Just round the corner is a family mart. There are many shops/eateries around the hotel so you won't go hungry. It is also very near to Ameya-yokocho, Ueno Park and Ueno Hardrock Café in Ueno station. The famous unagi kabayaki eatery, Izuei Honten, is also nearby.

Given its price and location, I do not think I can find another equivalent or comparable hotel! This is really a value for money hotel! Would recommend this hotel to all.
Subway entrance near hotel
From 2010 Japan Day01
Rooms were of course small, for the price we paid. There was very little walking space when luggages are opened. This is the double bed room. The Simmons bed was comfortable though. The twin room (did not take photo) was slightly bigger.
From 2010 Japan Day01
Entrance to room
From 2010 Japan Day01
Dressing table with mini-fridge and TV. No in room safe deposit box.
From 2010 Japan Day01
Compact Toilet/Bathroom. Loved the toilet bowl with heater and washing facilities!
From 2010 Japan Day01
From 2010 Japan Day01

Our Japan Itinerary

Day 1 - Flight to Incheon-Seoul

Day 2 - Breakfast -> Incheon Transit area -> Lunch -> Tokyo, Narita -> Limited Express to Ueno -> Checked in Sardonyx Hotel (Review) -> Matsusaka Beef Steak Dinner at Satou, Kichijoji -> Shinjuku at Night

Day 3 – Breakfast -> Odyaku Romance Car to Hakone-Yumoto -> Small train to Gora Station -> Leave luggages at Setsugetsuka Hotel -> Gora -> Sounzan -> Owakudani Boiling Valley -> Black Eggs -> Togendai -> checked into Setsugetsuka Hotel (Review)-> Dinner at hotel restaurant -> Outside the hotel at night

Day 4 - Breakfast -> Gora Station -> Checked out -> Gotemba Premium Outlet -> Togendai -> Check in to Hakone Green Plaza (Review) -> Dinner

Day 5 - Breakfast -> Checked out -> Odawara Castle -> Checked in Sardonyx Ueno -> Ueno Unagi Dinner at Izuei Honten, Ueno -> Ameyoko

Day 6 - Breakfast - > Ueno Park -> Lunch at Tsujiki -> Imperial Palace -> Ginza -> Asakusa -> View from Shinjuku Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building -> Ramen Dinner

Day 7 - Breakfast -> Early Lunch at Kyushu Jangara, Harajuku -> Meiji Shrine -> Harajuku -> Shibuya -> -> Dinner at Shinsuke, Shin-Urayasu

Day 8 - Tokyo Disneyland -> Lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace -> Dinner at Hokusai

Day 9 - Breakfast -> Tokyo Disneysea -> Lunch at Vulcania -> Dinner at Sakura

Day 10 - Breakfast - > Check out -> Skyliner to Narita Airport-> Holiday Inn Tobu Narita (Review) -> Lunch at Edokko Sushi
-> Old Narita Temple Town -> Naritasan Temple -> Dinner at Aeon Shopping Centre

Day 11 - Breakfast -> Flight back to Incheon -> Transit -> Lunch at Incheon -> Home Sweet Home

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