Unbelievable! This APA Hotel in Gifu Blew My Mind! (Ogaki-Ekimae Review)
Unbelievable! This APA Hotel in Gifu Blew My Mind! (Ogaki-Ekimae Review) - A Chaotic Dive
Okay, strap in folks, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Gifu, and I have to tell you about the APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae. Seriously, this place…it’s an experience. And by experience, I mean a glorious, slightly overwhelming, and completely unforgettable experience. Let’s rip through this hotel like a hungry sumo wrestler at a breakfast buffet, shall we?
Metadata & SEO (because, you know, gotta get that sweet, sweet Google love):
- Title: APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae Review: Epic Stay in Gifu - Accessibility, Amenities & More!
- Keywords: APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae, Gifu Hotel, Japan Hotel, Ogaki Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Sauna, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Wi-Fi, Free Parking, Review, Ogaki Station, Travel Guide, Japan Travel
- Meta Description: A chaotic, honest review of the APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae in Gifu! Discover its amenities, accessibility, and quirks. From the amazing spa to the slightly bonkers breakfast buffet, here's what you need to know!
Access & Getting Started: The First Impression (and immediate adrenaline rush):
Right off the bat, accessibility. Now, I didn't roll in on a wheelchair myself, but I always pay attention to this stuff. The hotel seemed pretty decent, with elevator access and I’m sure facilities for disabled guests were well thought out. But the real test is access into the hotel itself. And Ogaki-Ekimae? It's right there! Super convenient for people with mobility issues, and with luggage, even for me! The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property made me feel safe. Felt like, well, a fortress! Check-in was slick enough - contactless check-in/out is a godsend when you’re tired from flying. I swear sometimes I think they designed these hotels specifically to make me feel like I'm in a sci-fi movie.
Rooms - A Mini-Universe of Comfort (and Quirks):
Okay, the room. Let's be real – it's an APA. They're known for efficiency, and this one was no exception. Air conditioning blasting like a hurricane? Check. Tiny but well-organized space? Check. Free Wi-Fi in every room? Double check! But here's where things get interesting. My room had:
- Air conditioning. I’d say it was a welcome feature.
- Free bottled water. A lifesaver after a long day of exploration.
- Desk – perfect for battling jet lag with a hastily scribbled itinerary.
- Additional toilet. Seriously, sometimes in those small Japanese hotel rooms, it's a game changer.
- Mini-bar.
- In-room safe box, Hair dryer, Alarm clock – all the essentials.
- Satellite/cable channels.
- Phone – I did not used it.
- Toiletries – pretty standard, but hey, free soap!
- Coffee/tea maker – always appreciated.
- Wake-up service – that I probably ignored, because I sleep like the dead.
And, the soundproofing? Phenomenal. I barely heard a peep from the bustling city outside. The blackout curtains were a godsend. Slept like a log. Now, about those bathrobes…they were there. But I am not a bathrobe kind of guy. You know who is a bathrobe kind of guy? My alter ego, who was left back in my own room.
The Hotel’s Goodies: Spa, Sauna, and a Whole Lotta "Wow":
Alright, here’s where the APA Ogaki-Ekimae really shines. Let's run thru some of the stuff that makes this a hotel and not just a bed: Spa? You betcha. Sauna? Absolutely. Pool with view? Okay, the view was of some buildings, but still… Steamroom? Fitness center? Gym/fitness? Tick, tick, tick. I did a little bit of everything:
- Sauna/Spa: Oh. My. Goodness. The sauna was hot, steamy, and the perfect way to work out the travel kinks. The spa itself was pretty impressive!
- Swimming pool (technically, Swimming pool [outdoor]): It wasn't huge, but it was clean and refreshing. Again, that view… let's just say it wasn't the Eiffel Tower.
- Fitness center: Had your basic treadmills and weights. Enough to keep you from feeling totally guilty about that buffet…
Cleanliness & Safety - Because, You Know, We Live in a Pandemic Now:
I’m genuinely impressed with how seriously they took Cleanliness and safety. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere. They’d removed stuff. Daily disinfection in common areas. They used Anti-viral cleaning products. I was constantly seeing staff cleaning, disinfecting, and generally keeping things shipshape. Rooms sanitized between stays. Even the kitchen and tableware items were Sanitized. Staff trained in safety protocol. All that made me feel good, which is a big deal in these crazy times. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Food Glorious Food! (and a little Confusion)
The Breakfast [buffet]…whew. Prepare yourselves, because this is a thing. There were Asian breakfast, with rice and miso soup, Western breakfast options, and enough variety to make your head spin. Coffee/tea in restaurant was plentiful. Coffee shop was a lifesaver for a caffeine fix. There was also a la carte in restaurant. Other stuff: the Bar was lively. The Snack bar was handy for grabbing a quick bite. I couldn't tell you what Soup in restaurant tasted like. Some fun stuff for you to grab: Bottle of water. Desserts in restaurant. I did not go to the: Vegetarian restaurant. Poolside bar. Happy hour. The Room service [24-hour] was a godsend for late-night snacking.
Services & Conveniences - More Value Than You Think:
The APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae packs a serious punch when it comes to conveniences:
- Convenience store: Right there! Perfect for late-night cravings and forgotten essentials.
- Luggage storage: Super helpful if you arrive early or leave late.
- Daily housekeeping: The room was always immaculate.
- Laundry service: Essential for long trips.
- Elevator: Yeah!
- Cash withdrawal: Didn't need it, but always nice to know it's there.
- Currency exchange: Another helpful touch.
- Doorman: A nice touch.
They handle the usual stuff like Dry cleaning. Ironing service. Safety deposit boxes. And they had a concierge. The car park [free of charge], car park [on-site] was also a very welcome perk.
For the Kids (or just the Kid in You):
Now, I didn't see a lot of kids running around, but there's a sense that they're Family/child friendly. I did not test Babysitting service.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy:
- Car park [free of charge].
- Taxi service: Readily available.
- Airport transfer: Easy to arrange.
- Bicycle parking: Did not use it, but good to know.
The Quirks, Imperfections, and Overall Verdict:
Look, the APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae isn't perfect. It's got that APA Hotel feeling, all brisk efficiency and slightly sterile design. But that's part of its charm. The Staff were Staff trained in safety protocol. They'd removed some things.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Despite a few minor quirks, the overall experience was fantastic. It's clean, convenient, well-equipped, and the spa facilities are worth the price of admission alone. Five stars? Maybe not. But a solid four and a half. It truly Blew My Mind for all the right reasons. Go! You won’t regret it!
Unbelievable Dinotiyo Batu Malang Homestay: Your Indonesian Dream Getaway!
Alright, pack your bags (and your patience, 'cause this is gonna be a rollercoaster)! We're off to the glorious, slightly confusing, and definitely memorable APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae in Gifu, Japan. Buckle up, buttercups!
Day 1: Arrival – Chaos and Capsule Dreams (Maybe?)
- 7:00 AM (Ish): Flight from… wherever you're coming from. Mine was a red-eye, which, let me tell you, is a terrible idea. Never again. I felt like a zombie, and I'm pretty sure I drooled on the window. Already questioning my life choices.
- 1:00 PM (Japan Time) : Arrive at Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). Okay, so the airport is impeccable. I swear, even the trash cans look stylish. Immediate culture shock: trying to navigate this place with Google Maps (bless its digital little heart) while simultaneously battling jet lag and the overwhelming urge to nap in the nearest Hello Kitty display.
- 2:30 PM: Train travel to Ogaki Station! It's supposed to be a straightforward journey, but I swore I saw a tiny Godzilla in the distance. Probably just the jet lag hallucinating again. The bullet train is unreal, though. Super fast, super smooth, and somehow still manage to be clean? How do they do it?!
- 4:00 PM: Finally, finally arrive at APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae. The lobby is… well, let's just say it's very APA. Clean, efficient, a little sterile. The check-in process is smooth, blessedly so. The staff are all smiles, even though I'm sure I look like I haven't slept in a week. They've definitely seen worse tourists, that's for sure.
- 4:30 PM: The room. The Room. Tiny. I mean, really tiny. Like, you could probably swing a cat (hypothetically, of course, I adore cats) and hit every wall. But! Surprisingly well-designed. Every inch of space is used. The bed is… well, it's a bed. And I'm so exhausted I could probably sleep standing up.
- 5:00 PM: Time to explore! No, wait. I need a nap. Right. A quick nap. Just 15 minutes.
- 7:00 PM: Woke up two hours later. Ugh. Jet lag wins.
- 7:30 PM: Stumble out into Ogaki. This town is so charming, honestly. Quiet, clean, and with a definite "lived-in" feel. Found a little ramen place nearby. The ramen… chef's kiss. Absolutely phenomenal. The broth was rich, the noodles perfectly cooked, and the little pork slices were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I could have eaten three bowls. Maybe I would have, if I wasn't simultaneously trying to stay awake and battling the language barrier with gusto.
- 9:00 PM Back in the room to crashed again.
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and a Tiny Toilet
- 8:00 AM (Ish): Woke up feeling… slightly less dead! Breakfast at the hotel. It’s a buffet, which is a win, even if the selection isn’t exactly gourmet. But I load up on the rice, miso soup, and some bizarre but delicious pickled vegetables. Fuel for the day!
- 9:00 AM: A bit of temple hopping! Ogaki has some gorgeous temples. They are surprisingly serene and peaceful, and the contrast to the neon-lit arcades in Osaka is pretty amazing. Strolling around, taking in the architecture, and attempting (poorly) to understand the history.
- 11:00 AM: Tea ceremony! This was on my "must-do" list, and it did NOT disappoint. A tiny, exquisite tea room. The meticulous preparation, the quiet reverence, the taste of the matcha – it was all incredibly calming and special. I felt like I'd stumbled into a different dimension for a heartbeat. Afterwards, feeling slightly enlightened, or at least caffeinated.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Found some yummy okonomiyaki. The smell alone was intoxicating.
- 2:00 PM: Wandering around. Ogaki is pretty small, so it's perfect for just getting lost. Found a little park with cherry trees! (Though it wasn't cherry blossom season, which was a brutal miss) Sat on a bench, watching the world go by, and feeling pretty damn content.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a break. (Needed to rest my feet, haha).
- 5:00 PM: Dinner: Tried a local restaurant. Ordered something off the menu that looked vaguely appealing. Turns out it was… fish. Raw fish. I’m not a big fan of raw fish, so a bit of a sensory adventure. I ate it. Mostly. Survived.
- 6:00 PM That toilet situation. Seriously, I’m not sure what they do with Japanese toilets, but they are a technological marvel. Heated seats, bidet functions of varying and sometimes questionable intensity, and the ability to play white noise to mask… well, you know. I’m simultaneously terrified and impressed.
- 9:00 PM: Writing this journal entry. Feeling grateful for every new experience and how much I am enjoying this trip.
Day 3: Departure – Sad to Say Goodbye (Maybe)
- 7:00 AM: Final breakfast at the hotel. More rice, more miso. Gonna miss this.
- 8:00 AM: Checking out. The staff is just as lovely as yesterday. Say goodbye to the tiny room and the high-tech toilet.
- 9:00 AM: Heading back to the airport. This time, the journey is less of a blur, (thank goodness!) and I can fully appreciate the scenery. Looking back, honestly, I might have fallen in love with this little town.
- 11:00 AM: Arrival at the airport. Waiting for my fight. Reflecting on everything. Japan. Ogaki. The ramen. The temples. The toilet. The whole experience. It's a little bit messy, a little bit overwhelming, and totally unforgettable. I can't wait to come back. Well, after I get some normal sleep.
Things I Learned:
- Jet lag is a beast.
- The Japanese are incredibly polite.
- Tiny rooms can be surprisingly cozy.
- Japanese toilets are a technological marvel.
- Ramen is life.
So there you have it – my messy, imperfect, and utterly human adventure at the APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae. Go, explore, get lost, and enjoy the ride. And don't forget to pack your sense of humor… you’ll need it!
Escape to Paradise: Fiocco di Neve Relais & SPA, Limone Piemonte
APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae: My Brain Just Exploded (Mostly in a Good Way) - FAQ!
Okay, spill it. Was the room ACTUALLY as tiny as everyone says?
Tiny? Honey, it was practically a portal to another dimension, but that dimension happened to be a really well-organized shoe box. I'm pretty sure I could touch both walls simultaneously. The bed? Probably wider than the walkway. But here's the thing - I didn’t *mind* as much as I thought I would. Maybe it was the sheer efficiency of the space, or maybe I was just so delighted by everything else, I didn't have time to feel claustrophobic. Okay, fine, the first five minutes were a bit of a dance of avoidance. I had to strategically navigate my suitcase to find a safe zone. But after that? It was strangely cozy! Think of it like glamping... but indoors... with a TV.
What about the bathroom? I've heard horror stories...
Alright, let's talk about the bathroom. It's a prefabricated pod, yeah, like those spaceship-y bathrooms you see in sci-fi movies. The toilet made some serious whirring noises. I mean, it wasn't *bad*, per se. But let's just say, the first time I flushed, I definitely jumped. It's like, "WHOA! What just happened?" But the water pressure was surprisingly good, and the little amenities – oh, the amenities! They had everything! I was expecting some generic bar of soap. Nope! They had fancy shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. My hair felt amazing, considering I was crammed into a tiny space. Honestly, if I could get that kind of bathroom in my real house...
Was the location really *that* convenient?
Oh. My. God. The location. Ogaki Station. Right. THERE. Seriously, you walk out of the station, blink, and BAM! APA Hotel staring you in the face. I'm talking, like, you could stumble out of a train after a beer (hypothetically, of course, I'd never) and practically fall into the lobby. It was *ridiculously* convenient. And because of that, it made everything easy. Day trips? No problem. Finding dinner? Easy peasy. Forget the stress of finding your way around, you just have a nice comfy base of operations.
The breakfast. I heard mixed things. What was YOUR experience?
Breakfast. Ah, the make-or-break moment for any hotel stay. And...it was...an experience. Okay, picture this: a small room, packed with people, all trying to navigate a buffet that somehow felt both chaotic and orderly at the same time. The selection? Decently wide. Japanese staples mingling with... well, let's just say the international offerings were a bit... "localized." I swear, I saw pancakes. Maybe they weren't fluffy. And I may have had a serious issue with the coffee machine. It took an age and all I could produce was lukewarm brown liquid. But! There were these little *katsu* skewers, and I went back for thirds. The food was kinda a mixed bag.. but the crowd-watching? GOLD! I’d happily have gone back just to be able to see the expressions on people's faces. So, overall? It was a win, in my book. It wasn't Michelin Star, but I left full and energized, ready for the day and a chuckle.
Were there any good restaurants nearby? Hit me with your recs!
Okay, listen up, because this is important. I have an unhealthy obsession with ramen, and there’s this little place, a tiny walk from the hotel. I can't remember the name. I think it was a tiny place. (My notes are terrible) They make the most incredible ramen and gyoza. I ate there every single night. Like, it got to the point where I’m pretty sure the staff recognised me. Don’t bother asking for the English menu, either. Just point, smile, and enjoy. Find it. Seriously. Also, there was a 7-Eleven... because Japan. Need I say more?
Did you have any issues with the staff? Were they friendly?
The staff? They were... Japanese hotel staff. Which means, basically, super efficient and polite. They weren't the chattiest bunch in the world, but they were always helpful. I had a slight issue with my room key (long story), and it was sorted out in about 30 seconds. There no complaints. Honestly, i didn't give them much of a chance to be friendly!
Okay, be honest. Would you stay there again? Really?
OH. MY. GOD. YES. Absolutely! Look, the APA Hotel Ogaki-Ekimae is not for everyone. If you need a sprawling suite and a room service menu larger than your arm, then run, don't walk, away. But! If you are looking for a ridiculously convenient base, a super-efficient experience, are not fussed by some strange quirks (and actually enjoy them?), and are on a budget? Seriously, book it. Now. I’m already making plans to go back. The ramen alone is worth the trip! This little gem, this tiny box of a hotel, completely blew my mind. And the memories? Priceless! It was an adventure, a charmingly imperfect slice of Japan. 10/10 would stay again. I’m considering buying stock in APA hotels.
Did you experience anything... weird?
Okay, this is where it gets *really* weird. Remember I said I was obsessed with the ramen? Well, one night, after a particularly epic bowl, I was wandering back to the hotel and got hopelessly lost. It was late, dark. I was starting to panic. I stumbled down this tiny alley, and there, lit by a single, flickering streetlamp, was...a vending machine. Not just any vending machine, mind you. It was a vending machine selling *used underwear*. I swear to god, I saw it. I did a double-take. I triple-take. I backed away slowly. I still have questions. I have NO answers. Thankfully I had the sense to scarper back in one direction. I assume it was the APA hotel. The hotel itself was fine
Post a Comment for "Unbelievable! This APA Hotel in Gifu Blew My Mind! (Ogaki-Ekimae Review)"