Super Hotel Premier Saitama Higashiguchi

Honestly, when I first walked into Super Hotel Premier Saitama Higashiguchi, I wasn’t expecting much – the name sounds pretty corporate, you know? But this place actually surprised me in the best way. It’s tucked right in the Miyacho area, which means you’re literally a two-minute walk from Omiya Station’s east exit (hence the “Higashiguchi” in the name). That location is gold, especially if you’re planning day trips into Tokyo – the trains run constantly and you’ll save a fortune compared to staying in central Tokyo.

What really got me was how they’ve managed to make a business hotel feel… well, not soul-crushing. The lobby has this clean, modern vibe without being sterile, and the staff actually seemed happy to see guests, which isn’t always a given at chain hotels. My room was compact but smartly designed – they’ve clearly thought about how people actually use hotel rooms. The bed was surprisingly comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and there’s this great little work area if you need to catch up on emails. The bathroom was one of those prefab units you see everywhere in Japan, but it was spotless and the water pressure was excellent. I mean, after walking around Omiya all day, that hot shower hit differently.

Here’s what I really appreciated though – the breakfast situation is solid without being fancy. They do this buffet with both Japanese and Western options, and honestly, their coffee was better than half the cafés I tried in the area. Plus, if you’re an early riser like me, you can grab breakfast and still catch the 7 AM express into Shibuya. The neighborhood itself is pretty quiet at night, which was perfect for sleeping, but during the day you’ve got tons of restaurants and shops within walking distance. There’s this amazing ramen place about three blocks down Miyacho-dori that the hotel clerk recommended – definitely worth the detour.

Look, this isn’t going to win any design awards, and if you’re looking for luxury amenities or Instagram-worthy views, keep looking. But if you want a clean, comfortable base for exploring the Tokyo area without the Tokyo prices, and you appreciate being able to actually get around easily, this place delivers. The 8.1 rating makes sense – it’s not perfect, but it does what it promises really well. I’d definitely stay here again, especially since parking is reasonable if you’re driving, and the whole area feels authentically Japanese without being touristy.