Hotel Excel Okayama

This hotel offers a memorable stay, particularly for its stunning views of Okayama Castle and its direct proximity to historical landmarks, making it an ideal choice for sightseers and tourists. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's excellent location, the exceptional friendliness of the staff, and the highly-praised breakfast buffet. While the hotel has an older charm, many find the rooms spacious and comfortable, contributing to a pleasant experience. The generous 12 PM check-out time is a significant convenience, allowing guests to explore the area at a relaxed pace. For couples seeking a romantic getaway or families exploring the city, the hotel's amenities and prime location are a perfect fit. To enhance your visit, consider requesting a room with a castle view and be sure to indulge in the diverse breakfast offerings.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides several convenient facilities for guests. There are two elevators that ensure smooth and quick movement throughout the building. Guests can enjoy a variety of entertainment options with televisions that support streaming services like YouTube and Abema, and are HDMI compatible. A beer vending machine is available in the lobby for quick refreshments. While in-room amenities are somewhat limited, a selection of shampoos and other items can be borrowed from the reception desk. The hotel features a coin laundry on the third floor, which includes free detergent, though its single location can sometimes be inconvenient. Some guests noted that the refrigerators in the rooms had weak cooling, and the air conditioning units occasionally had issues with noise or dust. The traditional key system, requiring guests to leave their key at the front desk when leaving, is a unique, albeit sometimes inconvenient, feature.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room comfort and cleanliness is varied. Many describe the rooms as spacious and comfortable, particularly the twin configurations, providing ample space for relaxation. The beds generally offer a restful sleep, though some guests found them to be on the harder side. While some reviews praise the rooms for being clean and well-maintained with no visible hair, others noted issues such as dust accumulation, a distinct smell, or signs of age like mold on shower curtains. The bathrooms are often described as spacious, with some featuring a convenient separate wash basin area and good shower quality. Noise levels are generally low, contributing to a quiet stay, though occasional sounds from other guests or the air conditioning were mentioned. A common point of feedback is the lack of bedside electrical outlets, which can be inconvenient for charging devices.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options receive considerable praise, especially the breakfast buffet. Guests consistently highlight the wide variety of dishes available, including numerous local specialties such as white peach curry, Kibi Dango, Sawara fish, Mamakari, and yellow chive egg rice, all described as delicious. The coffee served at breakfast is also highly rated. In addition to breakfast, the hotel features a Chinese restaurant in the basement, which is popular for its tasty food, generous portions, and a special discount for hotel guests. This restaurant also offers bento boxes for take-out, which can even be delivered to guest rooms. A cafe on the ground floor provides a pleasant atmosphere for breakfast and offers coffee to-go, adding to the convenience for guests.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location, making it highly convenient for sightseeing. It is situated within easy walking distance of major attractions such as Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden, with many rooms offering direct views of the castle. Public transportation is readily accessible, with the Shiroshita tram station located directly across the street, providing quick access to Okayama Station (a short tram ride or about a 20-minute walk). The surrounding area is generally quiet and offers a variety of restaurants and convenience stores within walking distance. While the hotel does not have on-site parking, affiliated parking is available nearby for a fee, though some guests noted it can be challenging to find or may fill up quickly, and initial parking instructions can be unclear.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Guests frequently commend their polite demeanor and willingness to assist with various requests, from providing local restaurant recommendations to helping with luggage. The check-in and check-out processes are described as smooth and efficient, with the late 12 PM check-out being a particularly appreciated convenience. Specific examples of excellent service include staff accommodating room change requests, such as moving from a smoking to a non-smoking room, and assisting with taking photos for guests. However, some guests found the hotel's traditional key policy, which requires leaving the room key at the front desk when going out, to be a minor inconvenience.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel is housed in an older building, though it is generally well-maintained and offers good value for money. Some reviews mentioned issues with smoking rooms, noting persistent odors. The hotel provides a convenient shampoo bar at the reception where guests can borrow various types of shampoo. It's worth noting that the nearby Oriental Museum and International Museum are closed on Tuesdays, and the hotel's basement Chinese restaurant is closed on Mondays, which could impact sightseeing or dining plans. Some guests expressed a wish for a water server in the lobby for added convenience. While generally well-equipped, some minor amenities like a comb or a handrail in the bathroom were occasionally noted as missing by guests.