APA Hotel Hiroshima-Ekimae

This hotel's most notable feature is its exceptional proximity to Hiroshima Station, making it an ideal choice for business travelers seeking convenience and sightseers looking for easy access to public transport and local attractions. Despite its age, guests frequently commend the hotel's overall cleanliness and the consistently friendly and helpful staff. While the building is recognized as older, efforts are made to maintain a pleasant environment. The hotel is well-suited for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize location and service over modern amenities or spacious accommodations. To ensure a comfortable stay, guests sensitive to noise should be aware of potential sounds from outside or adjacent rooms, and those preferring a smoke-free environment should confirm their room type, as some corridors may carry residual odors.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's facilities reflect its older construction, with the air conditioning system being a frequent point of concern; many guests report it has limited settings and is often ineffective, leading to uncomfortable room temperatures. While Wi-Fi is available and generally functional for basic browsing and social media, some guests found it not particularly fast. A notable absence is a dedicated laundry room, which can be inconvenient for longer stays, though a microwave is available on the seventh floor for guest use. Most guests appreciate the comprehensive in-room amenities, including high-quality toothbrushes and paper towels. However, the television size and viewing angle are sometimes criticized, and the lack of USB charging ports at the desk can be inconvenient, requiring guests to borrow chargers from the front desk. The single elevator is also occasionally noted for carrying smoke odors.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and well-maintained, despite the building's age. The beds and pillows receive consistent praise for their comfort, contributing to a restful night's sleep. However, the room size is frequently described as small and cramped, making it challenging to open large suitcases or move around freely. The bathroom experience receives mixed feedback; while some find it clean, others report issues such as a slippery bathtub, occasional mold or unpleasant odors from the drain, and a cold toilet seat. A significant concern for many guests is the noise level, with sounds from the street, adjacent rooms, and corridors easily audible due to thin walls and windows, impacting sleep quality. Some rooms and corridors are also noted for persistent smoke or sewer-like smells, and high humidity levels.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast offered at the hotel receives varied feedback from guests. While it is served buffet-style in a cafe on the first floor, which some describe as small and dim, the food quality is inconsistent. Many guests found the options to be ordinary, not particularly delicious, or lacking in variety, sometimes describing the menu as repetitive over multiple days. However, the curry is frequently highlighted as a tasty option. Some guests felt the breakfast was expensive for the selection provided and opted to dine elsewhere after their initial experience. Despite the mixed reviews on the food itself, the staff managing the breakfast area are often commended for their friendly and attentive service, contributing positively to the morning experience.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is consistently praised as its strongest asset, being just a few minutes' walk from Hiroshima Station. This prime position offers exceptional convenience for guests arriving by train and provides easy access to various forms of public transportation, including buses and streetcars, facilitating exploration of the city's main attractions like the Atomic Bomb Memorial Park and the ferry terminal for Miyajima Island. The surrounding area is well-equipped with convenience stores, a large department store, and dining options. However, some guests noted difficulty in finding the hotel initially due to the presence of other similarly named hotels nearby. For those traveling by car, parking can be a challenge, with reports of expensive options and confusing instructions for nearby lots, often involving one-way streets.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise for their exceptional friendliness and helpfulness, often cited as a highlight of guests' stays. Many reviewers commend their polite demeanor and willingness to assist with various requests, from providing directions to local attractions and dining spots to addressing in-room issues like air conditioning or missing amenities. The check-in and check-out processes are frequently described as quick and efficient, contributing to a smooth arrival and departure experience. Guests also appreciate the convenient luggage storage service before check-in and after check-out. While some guests noted that the English language proficiency of the staff varied, their overall attentiveness and positive attitude were consistently highlighted, making guests feel welcome and well-cared for.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel is an older property, and there are recurring mentions that it is slated for renovation or eventual demolition, with a newer, larger property located across the river. This explains some of the dated aspects of the building. The hotel offers smoking rooms, and while individual rooms may be clean, some guests reported that the corridors and elevator can carry a strong cigarette odor, which might be a consideration for non-smokers. On a positive note, many guests were pleasantly surprised by the high quality of basic amenities provided, such as the toilet paper, toothbrushes, and bath paper towels, which are often described as superior to those found in other hotels. The hotel's age also means it lacks certain modern features like a large public bath or dedicated in-room Wi-Fi, which some guests might expect from newer properties.