APA Hotel Nagoya Sakae

Was everything you expect in an APA hotel - clean room, easy check in, decent (but not great) breakfast. Rating 2 stars for two reasons - one is the no tattoo policy in the baths, which is an outdated rule that needs changing. APA hotels need to get with the times, and especially if they want western guests to feel welcome, this rule needs to change. I don't appreciate being told I look like a criminal. Meanwhile the hotel itself is seemingly ok with actual criminal behaviour - in the two days I was there I saw two separate businessmen obviously bringing prostitutes into their rooms. The hotel itself is in the middle of the seedy part of Nagoya, many strip club and host bars etc in the blocks surrounding. I was harassed on the street in front of the hotel in the evenings by hawkers selling girls and other illicit things. I wouldn't recommend people stay in this hotel unless this is what they are looking for. APA hotels have been my go-to in Japan but this one was by far the worst.

Room

Excellent!

Central location, easy to walk around

Slightly seedy neighbourhood due to night-time entertainment in the area, but this hotel does its best to provide a safe haven for travellers to this part of Nagoya. Amazing value, considering the location, especially when you opt in for the buffet breakfast.