Hotel Route-Inn Tsuruoka Inter

This hotel is a consistent favorite for many guests, offering a reliable and comfortable stay, particularly highlighted by its large public bath, which serves as a signature feature for relaxation. Guests frequently commend the overall cleanliness of the premises and the comfortable beds that ensure a restful night. The delicious breakfast is another standout, providing a satisfying start to the day. Its convenient location for drivers with ample parking makes it an ideal choice for car travelers and business travelers seeking easy access to the highway. While couples can enjoy a relaxing retreat, families also find the hotel accommodating, with some rooms offering ample space. To enhance your stay, be sure to take advantage of the soothing public bath, and if you are not traveling by car, be mindful of the distance to the train station and plan your transportation accordingly.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's most celebrated feature is its large public bath, providing a relaxing experience for most guests, though some have noted the water can occasionally be too hot, and the women's bath is comparatively smaller or has undergone renovations, sometimes without prior notice. Guests appreciate the availability of free coffee in the lobby, a convenient perk. Free Wi-Fi is generally reliable and stable, supporting work and leisure needs, although a few older reviews mentioned connectivity issues on higher floors. For longer stays, coin laundry facilities are available, but guests advise that the number of machines is limited, leading to potential wait times, and the dryers in the public bath area may not be fully effective. While smoking rooms are offered, some non-smoking guests have reported a lingering smoke smell in common areas like corridors and stairwells. The hotel has also updated its access system, transitioning from traditional keys to card keys and auto-lock doors in recent years, enhancing security and convenience. Additionally, guests can pick up necessary amenities from the front desk.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the hotel's cleanliness, noting that rooms and facilities are well-maintained despite the building's age. The beds are frequently highlighted for their large size and comfortable mattresses, ensuring a restful sleep for most. While some guests found their rooms to be spacious, particularly those in corner locations, others, especially in single rooms, described them as somewhat narrow. Noise levels are generally low, with good soundproofing preventing disturbances from adjacent rooms. However, a few guests have reported occasional machine noise at night, possibly from air conditioning, or noticeable wind noise, and some mention minor elevator noise. The in-room bathrooms are typically compact, with a small bathtub and toilet. A few isolated comments mentioned a slight odor from the shower curtain or the toilet paper being notably thin, but these were not widespread concerns.

Dining & Food Quality
The complimentary breakfast buffet is a significant highlight for many guests, consistently praised for being delicious, nutritious, and offering a good variety of Japanese and Western dishes. The croissants are particularly popular, and local specialties like Imoni (taro stew) are often available, adding a unique touch. While most guests appreciate the extensive options, some have expressed a desire for more variety, such as yogurt or cereal, or found the selection repetitive over multiple days. The breakfast area can become quite crowded, especially during peak times, leading to long lines and occasional issues with food running out or not being replenished quickly enough, which some guests observed caused stress among staff. For dinner, the hotel features a small Izakaya bar, but the main restaurant is closed on Sundays, which can be inconvenient as dining options in the immediate vicinity are limited on that day. Some guests found the dinner menu to be a bit expensive.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient location for guests traveling by car, situated very close to the Tsuruoka Interchange of the expressway. This makes it an excellent base for exploring the region, including attractions like the Kamo Aquarium. Ample and free parking is available on-site, with an additional overflow lot, and staff are noted for being helpful in guiding guests to available spaces. However, for those relying on public transport, the hotel is quite a distance from Tsuruoka Station, requiring a walk of approximately 30 minutes, and there is no complimentary shuttle service. Guests without a car should plan their transportation accordingly. Despite the distance from the station, the immediate surroundings offer practical amenities, including convenience stores, a liquor store, and various restaurants, though some dining establishments may have limited hours or be closed on Sundays. A nearby gas station also adds to the convenience for drivers.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, politeness, and attentiveness. Guests frequently highlight their helpfulnes in various situations, from assisting with parking and smoothly handling requests for room changes (e.g., from smoking to non-smoking) to providing practical aid like retrieving a lost phone or lending umbrellas during rain. The check-in and check-out processes are described as quick and efficient, contributing to a hassle-free experience. While general housekeeping is considered good, there has been mixed feedback regarding the cleaning policy for extended stays, with some guests finding the offer of drinks for declining daily cleaning confusing, especially when linens were not changed. An isolated, highly negative review also mentioned towels being left on the floor after cleaning. Additionally, a few guests noted that some staff members lacked detailed knowledge of local road directions.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of the hotel's smoking policy, as while designated smoking rooms are available, some non-smoking guests have reported a noticeable smoke odor in common areas like stairwells and corridors. For those on extended stays, the cleaning policy involves a three-day cycle, with an option to decline daily cleaning in exchange for complimentary drinks; however, some guests found this confusing, particularly when it resulted in linens not being changed. The hotel has recently upgraded its room access, now featuring card keys and auto-lock systems, moving away from traditional keys. From certain rooms, guests can enjoy scenic mountain views, including Mount Gassan and Mount Chokai. It is important to note that the hotel does not offer a sauna, which some guests wished for, and the on-site restaurant is closed on Sundays, limiting immediate dining options. Furthermore, there is no free shuttle service to the train station, so guests without a car should plan their transportation accordingly.