Mitsui Garden Hotel Okayama

Decent room, convenient to train station

Prós: Good for a budget hotel (under $100/night) Fairly kid-proof Allowed bed-sharing with kids, so we had a twin room for a family of four (kids aged 1.5 and 4) Coin-operated laundry facilities available was a bonus Public bath on floor 10 was nice to have Breakfast buffet was good (cost extra) Great location less than 5 min from train station. Walk 5-10 min to get to loads of shopping, restaurants (giant Aeon mall opening next door in Dec 2014), 20 min stroll down busy/fun street to Okayama Castle and Gardens.

Contras: We travelled in November and it was hot, (22 C, around 70 F) but the A/C didn't work. I think they turn it off at a certain point in the year, so setting it at a low temp only blows air around the room. We had to crack the window but it only opens about 3-4 inches for safety reasons. The staff brought us a fan but then housekeeping took it away the next morning and we had to ask for it again. Minor issue but our Japanese was terrible so communication was slightly difficult.