Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Tamachi

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Tamachi is a straightforward hotel with few frills. Inside, the lobby has a sleek, black front desk and a curved couch where guests can sit. A Nescafe machine offers free coffee, and a table holds free amenities -- including colorful packets of flavored tea and bath salts, among other items -- that guests can choose from and take back to their rooms. There aren’t a lot of common spaces, but there's a Chinese restaurant, Shanghai Tan Dining, adjacent to the hotel. Vending machines selling alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and cups of soup are added conveniences for guests including the business travelers who tend to frequent the hotel, though the reasonable rates and central location draw plenty of tourists as well.

The hotel's Shibaura District location is in central Tokyo, with lots of restaurants to choose from nearby and a convenience store just across the street. It’s within a five-minute walk of the JR Tamachi Train Station, which is only one stop from Shinagawa Station. It's a 25-minute trip to Tokyo Tower using the trains and a bit of walking. The building is the second-tallest structure in Japan and has two observation desks with panoramic views of the city. The World Trade Center is only a 10-minute trip on public transportation or 25-minute walk, and Zojoji Temple is less than a 20-minute train journey. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes by train to reach the popular Shibuya and Harajuku areas of the city, which include sights like the Meiji Shrine. The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden takes 45 minutes to reach by train. Haneda Airport is 30 to 45 minutes away on public transit, while Narita International Airport is around 90-minute trip.

As expected, rooms at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Tamachi are small, and the look across all room categories is simple and straightforward. Single Rooms have barely any space to maneuver around the bed, and sloping entryways can be a nuisance in some rooms. Windows are small, and some are even frosted, obscuring any views. Expect to see modern wood veneer furniture, brown carpeted floors, and plenty of electronic gadgets. Standard features include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles, paper shredders, and mini-fridges. Bathrooms are tight, with deep shower/tub combos and electronic toilets. Guests can choose their own toiletries in the lobby, including five different bath scents. Sofa-beds are available in Relax Double Rooms. Smoking rooms are available, and those rooms predictably smell like smoke. 

Features are limited at this hotel, but the adjacent Chinese restaurant serves a breakfast buffet including various teas and juices, breads, and Chinese dishes. It's not included with room rates, and lunch and dinner are also available. The hotel has vending machines selling drinks, alcoholic beverages, and soup, and a microwave is available for guests to use. Coin-operated laundry machines are on-site. There are several items available on loan including trouser presses, shoe dryers, curling irons/straighteners, and air purifiers. Notebook computers can be borrowed for a fee, and business services including copying, printing, and faxing are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.