Excellent as always! I used to stay at the onsen hotel on the west side of JR Nara Station, but this time I tried On-yado Nono on the east side. The service standards are consistently high. The noodle bar, where you can grab a late-night ramen, also doubles as a cozy spot for a coffee during the day – it's incredibly relaxing. It's super convenient for getting around anywhere on the JR line. Plus, there's a large supermarket right downstairs inside the station, which I made sure to pop into every evening on my way back these past few days.
It's a well-known fact that accommodations in Japan can be pricey, so for my trip, I opted for several chain budget hotels, and Smile Hotel was one of them. It offers great value for money.
The Smile Hotel in Nara is conveniently located right next to Nara JR Station; you can spot their sign as soon as you exit the station. It's the perfect starting point for exploring Nara.
Rooms in Japanese budget hotels are generally small, but they are always clean and tidy, with impeccable hygiene standards. And even though the rooms are compact, they still come with a desk and chair, which I found very convenient for writing and organizing. I really appreciate that.
Finally, a heads-up: toiletries and pajamas are available on the first floor for guests to pick up as needed. You might want to grab them before heading up to your room.
The room was spacious, and the hot spring was wonderfully uncrowded and relaxing. Everything was very clean. There's free ice cream in the lobby, which was a nice treat after a hot spring soak!
The hotel is conveniently located near tourist attractions, and it's about a ten-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. The service was excellent, and there's free coffee and tea bags available in the lobby.
The only downside was that the room wasn't very warm. In winter, cold air seeped in near the windows, and even with the air conditioning set to 30 degrees, it still felt a bit chilly.
Three of us in a triple room. 3 adults. Separate. No couples. Just three friends. But they gave us only two cards to the room. I deliberately asked for the third card, as it was obvious that we will need the third one.
Unfortunately they said that only two carfs per room are permitted. 😂 As it was any problem to generate the third one.
**
It was pleasant stay, with semi-public onsen experience (opened for the guests from outside the hotel).
This hotel is super conveniently located right next to JR Nara Station, making transportation a breeze. There's a 7-Eleven and a large supermarket next to JR Nara Station, which is really handy. You can also catch a bus right outside the hotel to Nara Park.
The hotel offers many optional services, showing great thoughtfulness.
The onsen (hot spring) experience was generally good. They even provided sleep aids like different pillows and sleep supplements.
My room was quite spacious for one person, though the facilities were relatively simple. The keyless entry with a password lock on the door was great as it meant I didn't need to carry a room card. The hairdryer was a Refa, and it was fantastic!
The best part was definitely the free happy hour at the restaurant in the evenings. There was a wide variety of drinks available, and many guests brought food from the convenience store to enjoy with their drinks.
The hotel is very enjoyable, located in the historic center and right at the entrance to Nara Park with deer. In the meantime, deer themselves are also walking near the hotel area. The service in the hotel has not been disappointed, the staff are very welcome. Breakfasts were very surprised (for each guest their kitchen). I am sure we will come back again
Hotel is new, room and facilities are fantastic. View from the roof terrace is great! Also thankful for the free shuttle bus to the train station.
We have the dinner and breakfast package. Restaurant seems under staffed. We have to wait for empty plates to be replenised in buffet area. During breakfast time, there is long queue for food and often empty plates.
We went by car!
There was a parking lot where guests could park for free.
The location was also great, as it was only about a 15-minute walk to Todaiji Temple.
We booked a room with dinner and breakfast included, and both were delicious and very satisfying (;;)
They provided petit cakes in the evening, which we enjoyed eating while doodling in our memory notebook!
They even have a hot spring!
The inside of the hotel was very clean, and everything was great, so we were very satisfied!
If I come to Nara again, I'd love to stay here!
The location is really remote. The nearest convenience store is two kilometers away. But the room equipment is very new. But unfortunately there is no bathhouse.
Breakfast is exquisite
Great
102 reviews
9.1/10
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9.4/10
Amazing
Its heritage combined w/modernity,rooms are newly refurbished n love the outdoor self-circulated Onsen bath. Truly relaxing to bathe in winter, I haven’t slept so well in a long time. Love happy hour in 19th century structure next to hotel, champagne n truffle chees
The hotel is actually not far from Shin-Omiya Station. If you're carrying a suitcase, just walk along the road by the railway. When you see a drainage ditch with cherry blossom trees, turn left, and you'll find the hotel. If you follow Google Maps along the main road, you'll be on a gravel path the whole way. The hotel is new and even provides toothbrushes and slippers for kids. It would be great if they had a shuttle service on weekdays as well. I hope to return during the autumn leaves season!
The hotel is literally next to the JR Nara Station.You can purchase all of your travel tickets there and the airport bus tickets, too. In that area, there is a grocery store, a Walgreens type store, and nice affordable places to eat. I highly recommend the place on the corner(pic #1-2). The two guys that run it are so nice. There is a long shopping/restaurant street kinda across from the tourist center. I don't recommend this one ramen place located there. They make everyone pay before eating, and for the basic ramen that I got, it was overpriced. My bowl wasn't even full!(pic# 3-7) The tourist center is located close by, and the folks in there are very helpful(pic# 8). All of the buses are right there, so touring is very easy. The hotel itself is very comfortable. It's keyless, so take a picture of your pass code. The onsen on the premises has a pass code as well. Inside was very nice and relaxing. I went at 2:20am and it was wonderful. They have pajamas, pillows, and a free happy hour. The variety of spirits is extensive. Also, the elevator smells so good! The scent will de stress you. You can try a lot of things with a nice view of the station. I would definitely stay at this hotel again. The last two pictures are the view of the bus terminal. There is another one on the other side of the building. This is the front view (airport bus location)
We had a comfortable stay at the hotel. Staffs are absolutely helpful and considerate, the star appreciation activity and marshmallow roasting are rare but enjoyable experience as well. Will definitely recommend it to my friends.
Our first Onyado Nono experience and we are already looking forward to future stays. Wasn't expecting much for city hotel onsen but surprised it even had a good size outdoor option + sauna& cold pool. . The breakfast buffet was amazing, got to try lots of local dishes. Parking at hotel was abit pricy. 1500 ¥ per day but it does allow unlimited in and out. You can probably find cheaper options around the hotel if willing to walk. We just parked for 2 days and walked around the shopping district + Nara Park (25mins). Lots of food options nearby.
This is an old ryokan with a history. Everything was smooth and beautiful, though we did not speak Japanese, nor the personnel speak our language, we were able to communicate and enjoy open air bath, traditional dinner and breakfast. The stuff is professional, warm and friendly. The area itself is famous for pilgrimage and views. Apart from soaking in a bath, one can walk around the village and visit numerous shrines and one magnificent huge temple, which is absolute must-see. Another delight is the beautiful view from the ryokan window. The same breathtaking feeling may have at the dining hall watching remote hills and the valley down the hill. Very authentic experience of traditional Japanese relax holiday. highly recommended!
This was a great hotel for quality/price. The room had everything including a clothes sterilising machine, which I’ve never seen before, super Japanese! Great public onsen with natural spring waters. Teunagve free ice lolly’s and had a cute tatami areas where you could practise origami.Breakfast buffet was great, was less than a 2km walk through town to the main park and temple area, I would defo stay again!
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