Ace Inn Matsumoto

Location, breakfast

Location is very good, opposite the bus station and beside the JR station.

Staff were some of the most helpful staff I have encountered, at least in the month that I had stayed in Japan (by the time I left Matsumoto). I had a bit of an issue with Japan Post and staff was kind enough to let me use their front desk phone for about half an hour while I tried to resolve the issue. (the issue was, in the end, resolved) When I felt a little sick after my 3rd night, cleaning staff were very much understanding and gave me time to recover. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, has been retrofitted from seven years ago (2016). Carpet on the walls in the elevator? Nope, gone. Airconditioning units in the rooms? Still nothing (built into the wall), but the aircon actually works. Keys? Nope, key cards! Ario across the street? Nah, that's Alpico Plaza right now (since 2017) and the only good thing about it is the Bookoff Bazaar. Food Court was changed as well, since it no longer has small restaurants or snack bars. Back to the hotel: they changed the restaurant and the food offered during breakfast. I went to my old floor, 4th floor, checked out the vending machine room and found that they fixed the door. It no longer slams shut like it did 7 years ago. Cleanliness? Nothing to complain about. Comfort? My last night, I opted for the whole "take a free shuttle bus to a hotel they have a deal with and take a soak in the hot springs there". It's not a hot springs per se, but the baths are nice and hot. Too hot, even. 40.5 lukewarm?

The location is superb! It is just beside the train station and right in front of the bus terminal. Their check-in process was great, too. It was done in a machine and we were able to check-in really fast with all the information we needed printed in a small receipt.

Great location. Very clean and neat room. Very quiet. Comfortable bed. Good breakfast, plus you can get free hot drinks from a machine in the lobby.