Searching...

I used to stay at Tokyu Inn, which is closer to the train station but switched to Dai Ichi Hotel for this visit. Experience is vastly superior, especially since the rooms are newly renovated. While typically tiny, it is nicely furnished with new linen (vs. the thread bare options at the other establishment) and attractive decor. Lobby area is also much nicer, with an atrium format dining room. Even though it is a bit further away from the station, it is highly recommended. From my room on the 6th floor, if I lean over, I could even see Mt.Fuji! Not the Four Seasons or the Ritz, but for Kichijoji, which is curiously void of hotel choices, it is the best choice.

This is a very nice hotel about a three to five minute walk from the train station but still in the main part of town. I arrived early (mid morning) after an overnight flight knowing that check in time was mid afternoon. The reception staff could not have been more helpful and accommodating, whilst there was not a room available at the time, they went out of the way to help me sit and work in the lobby area until a room was available, which fortunately wasn't too long. Later in the day another of the reception staff was particularly helpful providing directions to get to an attraction that I was visiting. I had a twin room which was clean comfortable and of a reasonable size. I was hoping to spend a second night here but they were fully booked. Again, great service the receptionist called and booked me a room at one of their competitor hotels. Nice job.

I have to acknowledge a certain soft spot for the Dai-ichi, as it was the first Japanese hotel I had to use regularly when starting to visit Japan on business for the first time some 15 years ago, and for a European it gave me that full Japanese hotel room experience. For example, no room to swing a cat around, especially as the cat has already died of claustrophobia, and a bed size that meant you had to sleep diagonally to avoid your feet hanging over the edge.And I very quickly learnt the trick of making sure my company booked an outside facing double room for single occupancy, which then gives you a room which is still small by European standards, but is big enough and has a decent amount of natural light. And although more expensive than a single, its still cheaper than the business hotels in Shinjuku and central Tokyo. The hotel has an inner quadrangle and there are several single rooms that face inwards to this area, but these should be avoided as they are really small and have virtually no natural light.The reception service has always been OK and it is far enough away from the Kichijoji centre to be quiet at night.The hotel reception is on the first floor, reached by an escalator, and the public and restaurant areas are airy and pleasant. I haven¿¿¿t eaten here for years now as the breakfasts tended to be quite Eastern style and there are plenty of Coffee shops in the main Kichijoji shopping precinct a short walk away. And Kichijoji still remains one of my favorite prefectures in the Tokyo area with it¿¿¿s lively central shopping area, several Indian and Chinese restaurants, the pleasant Inokashira Park area behind the station and most importantly two English bars in the form of the Hub Pubs.If you plan to stay over the weekend , you may need to book well in advance as this hotel offers the ¿¿¿Total Japanese Wedding Package¿¿¿ and is very popular for this activity, especially during spring.In conclusion, if you have to be in Kichijoji or further west on the Chuo line, given the choice I would still stay in Shinjuku and take the train in the morning. But if you don¿¿¿t have the choice then the Dai-ichi is good enough, just make sure you get a double room.