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SaitamaGreat spot to stay before an international flight
Price: 9000 yen
Located just a short bus ride from Narita International Airport, the International Garden Hotel Narita is my go-to hotel for a stay before or after an international flight. The average price is about 9,000 yen, but I often get specials for less than that. I have stayed here at least ten times, because it is reasonably priced, easy to make and / or change a booking, has a free shuttle bus to the airport, and is a low fuss yet well serviced hotel.
The first time I used this hotel it was because my hotel of choice (at that time) was fully booked. I have never had that problem with International Garden Hotel, yet the hotel always has a good flow of guests. You will see a lot of airline staff, pursers and pilots in this hotel, which I have always taken to be a good sign! What I like most about this hotel is that is value for money. It is not a luxurious hotel, but it is comfortable and is well worth the very reasonable price. From my research other hotels in the area are about 1500 yen more expensive. It would best suit someone who is just looking for a good night's rest before or after an international trip.The rooms aren't sparkling, but they are clean. The buffet breakfast is quite nice too and is served in a large hall with plenty of chairs and tables. The staff are very friendly and are multi-lingual. There is a little shop inside the hotel, as well as a couple of hot tubs and a fitness room. There is a large convenience store just 2 minutes walk away.
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In the Area
One of the best terminals in the world
Narita-shiI think the general consensus for anyone who has flown a lot is that Narita Airport is one of the better ones. I personally like Terminal 1 as it is the one I am most familiar with. I think it is extremely well laid out and they really have thought of everything.There is a great selection of shops and restaurants in Terminal 1 Narita Airport. There is also so many services both landside and airside. On the landside area they have viewing decks, play areas, prayer rooms, family rooms, nurseries, smoking areas, ATMs, workspaces, massage chairs... the list goes on and on. After you've gone through security there are even more convenient services, stores and facilities which really take the edge of the journey and make it a more pleasurable experience. Inside the departures area (past security) they even have shower rooms which you can pay to use. There is a hotel where you can stay for just a couple of hours, which is particularly useful if you are in transit. The only complaint I have about Terminal 1, and it isn't enough to deduct a star, is that the passport control area is often crowded and can move quite slowly. If you give yourself plenty of time to get through security and passport control this does not need to be a problem. In my experience the airport staff I have encountered have been very helpful and patient. The terminal one building itself is very bright, spacious and airy. Everything is very clearly marked out in a selection of languages, generally English, Korean and Chinese. The airport is very well serviced by trains, buses, shuttle buses and taxis.
Rendezvous and information point with a Starbucks
Narita-shiI am actually not sure if this is a Starbucks with a rendezvous and information point or the other way round! But I would guess it is a meeting point with a Starbucks. Rather than a large Starbucks sign on the front of the space, they have the signs marking the space as a meeting point.This branch in the landside area of Terminal 2 departures (before security) has free wifi as well as free battery charging for all sorts of devices. I don't think you have to buy anything to use the charging points. They also have a work-space suitable to laptops and larger devices. They even have computers that you can pay to use. The chairs and tables are quite different to most of the Starbucks I have been, there are no low tables and armchairs or any wooden furniture that I saw. But they are bright and clean and fit in with the space. The seats are plastic, but they are surprisingly comfortable. The selection of food and drink is fairly standard. But one cool feature is you can buy limited design Starbucks mug cups, tumblers and thermos bottles. They have the design of particular (famous) regions in Japan that you can keep as a souvenir of your visit to Japan. The staff are very friendly and helpful. I asked the lady serving us did she speak English and she answered that she didn't in English! I think they have enough English to help you place an order. The branch is open from 7 am to 9.30 pm seven days a week.
