Hi all,
I am traveling to Japan in November for about 4 weeks, so I am slowly starting to look at hotels and have quite a bit of time to spare.
Since I have a lot of time to plan, I am trying to see what the best strategies are to get very cheap hotels or get early notification of sales.
Yesterday I received an email from hotels.com that there was an "up to 50% off sale" but I could not really find anything particularly decent.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!
Hi there, I stayed at 2 air Bnb places in Japan last October. Nicer than the shoebox of a hotel I stayed in last time too and cheaper day rate also. The place I stayed at is no longer listed otherwise I'd post it. Maybe check them out for an option?
Hey guys/girls, thanks so much for your suggestions. I will take both on board.
I think AirBNB might be the way to go. For example, can't find anything decent in Osaka for less than $300ish a night, but AirBNB seems to have some decent rates in optimal locations.
I looked at hotels for a 3 week trip and opted for airbnb as I wanted the free pocket wifi included and better locations, no smoking etc. Airbnb generally have better prices and locations, book early as these places that are both nice/modern and reasonable book out months in advance.
Thanks for this tip. I think I will be doing mostly airbnb. There seems to be none directly in Ginza (Tokyo) and I really wanted to stay there.
There are some a little outside Ginza but not sure if those are suitable.
Ginza is more of a shopping/commercial district and not many residential buildings so not surprised however you can get close by if you look at the Ginza line for stations, for example Asakusa is on that line and I am sure there will be places around there. Is there any reason you need to be near Ginza? I find it a bit boring there, mostly western luxury brands you can get in AU like a 5th Ave in NYC. I stayed in both Shinjuku and Shibuya where I think has better shopping and dining. I lived in JP for a long time (5 years plus) so will always opt to stay on the other side of town having initially living near Ueno/East side but that's just my preferences. Have fun!!!
Hi, thanks so much for your comments. Last time I was in Tokyo, I stayed in Shinjuku and I really liked it there. If I recall Shinjuku and Shibuya are not that far apart, so I figured this time around I would stay in another part of town (Ginza).
If Ginza isn't all that exciting then I have no qualms about staying in Shibuya or even Shinjuku again. I briefly visited Roppongi last time around and I would describe that area the same way that you described Ginza and Roppongi is a place I would not really like to stay in.
@fivespice: LOL I hate the 'Pong too, I only went there if I needed a western food fix like Brazilian BBQ. You are there for 4 weeks so you can keep moving from place to place especially if you are going out of town in the JR pass you will probably want to book a few nights in Kyoto etc. If you are going on the Shinkansen a lot anywhere near Tokyo or Shinjuku stations otherwise any station will do if you are on a budget a little outside of the Yamanote line but still close to a station, any station is good. On my last night in Shibuya someone was trying to get into the apartment. They knew the combination but of course I had the key so they could not get in. I think it was just some travellers that missed the last train and thought they'd crash there as they had stayed there previously and knew the combination. So I am glad I moved to another place the following night. Main thing I look for is a washer and dryer so I can pack light.
@piggyfund: Yes my trip is in November and I am starting in Sapporo and finishing the last legs of the trip in Tokyo, then Kyoto then the plane back home is from Osaka. Everything in between is still to be worked out. Hopefully I don't struggle too much working out the train system throughout the country. I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy some kind of rail pass but the info on the 'net is very overwhelming.
Wow that is kind of a scary situation, I guess you can never discount things like that happening!
Hilton is having a 40% off sale if you are into the higher brand hotels.
Otherwise, subscribe to travel deals, check the prices via all the hotel coupons or if you are adventurous check out Priceline.com to bid on hotels (use betterbidding to help you).