Hotel Paul House

This was the first hotel I stayed at upon arriving in Japan. It's run by ********* owners, and the front desk staff speak Chinese, which was incredibly convenient for me since I don't speak English. The hotel is very clean, and they offer free coffee. There are also slippers and toothbrushes available at the front desk if you need them.

We arrived at 6:30 AM, and the front desk wasn't staffed yet (check-in hours are 08:00-23:00). The main door requires a passcode, but luckily, a guest leaving helped us get in when they saw we were checking in. We self-stored our luggage in the designated area, which thoughtfully provided chains for securing bags. On the ground floor, there were complimentary toiletries, coffee, water, and more available for self-service. We stayed on the sixth floor, and it was very quiet. There was a water dispenser right by the elevator. Upon entering the room, we were struck by how spacious it was. The beds were incredibly comfortable; we slept soundly through the night for two consecutive nights. The room also provided steam eye masks and bath salts, which was a lovely touch. Highly recommended. Its location is in a residential area, about a ten-minute walk to the train station. There's an Aeon supermarket nearby that's open until midnight.

Traveling with three people, the quadruple room was a good size. The decor felt quite new, and the bathroom was separated from the toilet. It was clean and tidy. The complimentary steam eye mask was a nice touch and very comfortable.

The space was really large and comfortable. The only strange thing was that the bathroom floor felt soft and uneven when stepped on. Also, when all the lights were turned off at night, I noticed the building across the street shined light into the room, so the entire room wasn't completely dark, which affected my sleep.

Hotel Paul House is highly recommended. **Overall Impression:** A fantastic boutique hotel near Ueno – superb location, new, cozy, spacious rooms, and excellent service. Really great. **Pros:** * **Perfect Location:** Right by Ueno, within easy walking distance of Ueno Station, Ueno Park, and Ameyoko shopping street. Akihabara is just one subway stop away, and the subway station is about a 7-8 minute walk. Great for shopping, dining, and transportation. * **Brand New Hotel:** Freshly renovated, spotlessly clean, and incredibly cozy – it feels like staying in a charming little guesthouse. The service is excellent, with Chinese-speaking staff available. Rooms are accessed by a password lock, and luggage storage is provided. * **Spacious Rooms:** For Tokyo, at this price point, the rooms are quite large and don't feel cramped. * **Good Value for Money:** The price is standard for the area, not overpriced, and the quality matches what you pay. * **No Breakfast, No Problem:** There are tons of convenience stores, snack shops, and restaurants nearby. It's easy to find delicious food right outside the door, though many places open around 11 AM. * **Boutique Hotel Vibe:** Not a large chain, it offers privacy, quiet, and a stylish atmosphere – a very comfortable stay. **Minor Drawbacks:** * **Few Rooms, Hard to Book:** Availability is tight; you need to book popular dates well in advance. Last-minute bookings are usually impossible, and it's hard to secure consecutive nights. * **No Hot Springs:** There used to be hot springs, but the top floor is now a smoking room. Those who enjoy soaking might be a little disappointed. * **No Breakfast Provided:** The hotel doesn't offer breakfast, so you'll need to venture out for it. * **No Major Facilities:** Being a small hotel, there's no pool, gym, or full-service restaurant. There is an all-day coffee bar, which is convenient, making it ideal for those primarily looking for accommodation.

Clean and tidy, and the front desk staff explained all the accommodation details clearly. For Tokyo, the room was quite spacious. It's a 3-minute walk to a supermarket that's open late, which is perfect for independent travelers.