On October 25, 2019, with train and highway bus services canceled due to heavy rain, getting home became nearly impossible. Public transportation wouldn’t resume until late at night at best, and with the few available options likely to be delayed or crowded, I anticipated a tiring journey home and decided to book a hotel instead.
Searching online, I was a bit shocked by the prices. It might have been due to it being a Friday or the increased demand from people stranded due to the rain. Even chain business hotels were charging over 10,000 to 20,000 yen. Capsule hotels were available as a cheaper option, but I wanted a comfortable stay if I had to spend the night.
Then, I stumbled upon an amazing deal—18,900 yen!
The plan was called “Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo Seafort Special Discount – Room Type at Hotel’s Discretion, 6 PM – 11 AM (with Breakfast).”
Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo usually seems fairly pricey, but compared to the high rates I saw at business hotels, it felt like a bargain. I booked it right away through a site called Jalan and paid with Apple Pay.
Since I was in Shinjuku after work, I took the Saikyo Line through the Rinkai Line to Tennozu Isle. After stopping by a convenience store for water and snacks, I headed toward the Tokyo Monorail station.
You can reach Seafort Square from Tennozu Isle Station on the Tokyo Monorail.
Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo Seafort is in Seafort Square. After checking in at the front desk, I was informed that my room would be a triple with three beds. For 18,900 yen! I found my room on the assigned floor, and as I entered…
Wait a minute. This room is huge for a stay at 18,900 yen!
Three beds, a large Sony TV, and even a Sharp air purifier. All for 18,900 yen!
Compared to paying over 10,000 or even 20,000 yen for a cramped business hotel room, this was a much better choice. Tennozu Isle’s somewhat off-center location might make it a hidden gem.
Besides the beds, there was an ottoman near the entrance and a table with a sofa in the back of the room.
They provided a free bottle of mineral water, and the amenities were well-stocked (since it’s a room for three people). I was especially pleased to find a bathrobe, perfect for lounging on the sofa with a drink in hand like a movie star. Though in my case, it was a bottle of I Lohas mineral water from the convenience store instead of a wine glass.
With plenty of space, I could open up my umbrella to dry, along with my wet shoes and socks. After a hot shower, I turned on the TV to check the news for updates on the rain. It seemed like public transportation would remain disrupted that night, so I settled in for a good night’s sleep.
Staying at a hotel meant going to bed early, which felt like a healthier routine. A life spent in hotels doesn’t sound so bad… if you have the budget for it.
The view from my window included commercial buildings to the right and the Keihin Canal directly in front. The port lights created a beautiful nightscape, and during the day, you can see Shinkansen tracks alongside the canal. These tracks connect to the JR Tokai Oi train yard, the Shinkansen depot.
Breakfast was a buffet at the “Grand Café” on the first floor. The buffet style lets you create your own set, which is great. Since it’s a hotel breakfast, I wanted a Western-style selection with scrambled eggs and bacon, but I couldn’t skip rice either. The buffet made it easy to enjoy a mix of Japanese and Western options.
The scrambled eggs were delicious, the vegetables fresh and crisp, and the bacon was well-seasoned and thick. The rice was also perfectly firm. Alongside rice, I had tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) and yogurt with fruit for dessert, with orange juice for a healthy touch.
The dining area was quiet and spacious, with a calming view of the canal, making for a serene breakfast experience.
The blue dressing I used on my salad was delicious, so I checked the label to remember it, and it turned out to be simply called “Blue Dressing,” with a grapefruit flavor.
After breakfast, I enjoyed a cup of coffee from the machine. Thoughtfully, they provided both cups for in-dining and paper cups to take your coffee to go or back to your room.
By booking early, I could fully rest and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Sometimes, rather than attempting to get home under difficult conditions, it’s better to stay put and wait until things settle down.
When booking a hotel in Tokyo, people tend to look for places near Yamanote Line stations, but there might be hidden gems slightly off the main areas.
