Hotel Trend Okayama Ekimae

This time, I stayed at Hotel Trend Okayama Ekimae, located right in front of Okayama Station. The main reason for choosing this hotel was its convenient location—just a 3-minute walk from JR Okayama Station. Nearby, there are convenience stores, drugstores, and AEON Mall, making it very easy to shop or find food. For travelers prioritizing transportation, this is undoubtedly a major advantage. Upon entering the room, my first impression was that it was clean, but the overall space and layout leaned towards simplicity. The desk was quite small, which might be insufficient for those needing to use a laptop or organize their itinerary. The room had all the necessary amenities, but one noticeable downside was the lack of bottled water. For travelers unfamiliar with the Japanese hotel practice of "self-service water kettles," this might be inconvenient. It’s recommended to prepare bottled water from the convenience store downstairs before checking in. Breakfast is available for an additional fee (800 yen) and mainly consists of cold Japanese-style side dishes. The taste was decent, and there was a fair variety. Although there were no hot main dishes, it was good value for the price. However, travelers who place a high priority on breakfast might find the options somewhat limited. In terms of service, the front desk staff were friendly, and basic English communication was not an issue. They also offered luggage storage services, which is very practical for travelers arriving early or wanting to explore after checking out. Overall, Hotel Trend Okayama Ekimae is a business hotel with convenient transportation and adequate basic facilities, suitable for short stays. However, compared to other similarly priced hotels around Okayama Station, its value for money is slightly lower, mainly due to the room's spatial feel and lack of detailed services. It’s recommended for travelers who prioritize location, have tight schedules, and don’t mind smaller spaces.