Unbelievable Nagoya Views: APA Hotel Sakae's Secret Revealed!
Unbelievable Nagoya Views? APA Hotel Sakae… More Like a Rollercoaster! (And That's Okay)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I’m about to spill the tea on the APA Hotel Sakae in Nagoya. This isn't your perfectly polished, corporate-speak review. This is me, unfiltered, after battling jet lag, questionable vending machine coffee, and the general chaos that is traveling in Japan. And frankly? This hotel was a trip.
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(Now, the REAL stuff…)
First impressions? The lobby is… well, it’s APA. If you've ever stayed in an APA hotel, you know. Small, efficient, and packed with people. Don’t expect a sprawling atrium or a koi pond. Do expect a slightly frantic energy and a few harried-looking travelers wrestling with luggage. I get the impression they have like, 300 rooms, maybe more.
Accessibility? Hmmm. They say they're accessible. (Accessibility, Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator) The elevator is there (thank GOD), which is a huge plus for a high rise. I saw some ramps, but I wasn’t personally testing the depths of their wheelchair prowess. So, check with them directly, but my gut feeling is… it’s mostly accessible, but possibly not perfectly.
Rooms - The Tiny Kingdom: (Remember, I didn't plan this, so bear with me)
Okay, the rooms. Let's talk rooms. (Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens) These rooms are…compact. Like, really compact. Think Tetris, only instead of falling blocks, it's your suitcase, your shoes, and your existential dread about whether you really needed that extra pair of socks.
But, hey! They cram a lot into that tiny space. You get a comfy (ish) bed, a teeny desk (just enough for your laptop), and a bathroom that’s… functional. The shower is a fine example of Japanese efficiency. (Bathroom, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower).
The window I guess opens (Window that opens), which is great for air (Air conditioning) and giving you an amazing view!
The View: THAT'S why you come, baby!
That’s the kicker. The reason you book this place. (High floor) The view. The views. Depending on your room, you'll have a panoramic vista of Nagoya. I’m talking twinkling city lights, the towering buildings, and you know, the whole feeling of being somewhere. Seriously, I’d settle for a futon in a broom closet if I had that view. That's how mind-blowing it is.
Internet - The Digital Lifeblood (and its quirks):
[(Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free], Internet access – LAN, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!)] Free Wi-Fi? Yes! In ALL the rooms! (Thank you, APA gods). The speed was decent, but I've experienced slight hiccups from time to time. I'm still a bit of a digital nomad, so connectivity is everything. I definitely needed it for some zoom calls, and occasionally, I got a little frustrated, but it's a free Wi-Fi, so, ya know. I also noticed a LAN connection! It made me reflect, for some reason, on how quickly things have changed. My god.
Food & Drink - A mixed bag (but mostly fun):
Restaurants (Restaurants), Bar (Bar), Coffee/tea in restaurant (Coffee/tea in restaurant), Coffee shop (Coffee shop), Breakfast [buffet] (Breakfast [buffet]), Room service [24-hour] (Room service [24-hour]).
Okay, let's be real. The breakfast buffet. (Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Buffet in restaurant) It's… typical. There's your usual Asian breakfast (some fantastic miso soup, delicious rice), and your Western staples, too (scrambled eggs, bread, etc.). It's not Michelin-star quality, but it gets the job done and fills you up for a day of sightseeing. The coffee? Well, let's just say it's probably best to grab a proper coffee elsewhere.
I did check out the bar (Bar)! And it was cool. They do happy hour? (Happy hour) Of course they do! And I was delighted. Drinks are expensive, but that's Japan.
And now…The Spa & Other Amenities!
Spa/sauna (Spa, Sauna), Swimming pool [outdoor] (Swimming pool, Pool with view), Gym/fitness (Fitness center, Gym/fitness).
Listen, I'm not a spa person. But seeing that VIEW from the OUTDOOR POOOOOL? Wow. (Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor]). Amazing. Seriously. I mean, it's the best view I've ever had with a coffee! And it's pretty darn relaxing! Honestly, you're in Nagoya! You're surrounded by concrete! But you are still enjoying the view, and feeling all sorts of relaxed. Other amenities? There's a gym (Gym/fitness), but I skipped it (guilty).
Cleanliness & Safety - Feeling Relatively Safe (but Still Vigilant):
[(CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, First aid kit, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Room sanitization opt-out available, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Safe dining setup)] The hotel seemed clean. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I was on high alert and brought my own hand sanitizer. I saw staff cleaning and disinfecting (Daily disinfection in common areas, Anti-viral cleaning products, Hand sanitizer), and there were safety protocols in place. (Staff trained in safety protocol). I felt pretty safe, although you always have to be aware.
Things to Do (Beyond Just "Stay Here"):
[Things to do, Shrine] Nagoya is full of amazing things to see! (Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop), The hotel is a good base for exploring. The Sakae district is buzzing, with shops, restaurants. Honestly, it's pretty simple to get around. And! There's a convenience store downstairs! Always a win. (Convenience store).
The Quirks & The Imperfections - Embrace the Chaos!
Look, this isn't a flawless experience. I encountered a minor blip when I checked. There were some minor quirks. But it's part of the adventure. (Imperfections are the salt and pepper of travel.) The staff? They were efficient, but not the warmest. But, hey, they're probably dealing with a non-stop flood of guests.
The Verdict: Worth It, with Caveats!
Would I recommend the APA Hotel Sakae? YES! But with some honesty.
- Pros: The view! Amazing location! Convenient amenities! Decent price!
- Cons: Rooms are small! Breakfast is… okay. Staff a bit… functional.
It’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a value hotel with an insane view in a prime location. Don’t expect luxury, expect efficient, and embrace the organized Japanese chaos. Just be prepared for a room that feels like a very stylish shoebox.
In short? Book it for the view. Deal with the rest. And bring your own coffee. (And maybe a good book for those quiet moments.)
Khao Lak's Hidden Paradise: Cousin Resort's Unbeatable Luxury!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic, utterly unpredictable REALITY of a trip to Nagoya, Japan, based out of the… ahem… the "cosy" (read: compact) confines of the APA Hotel Nagoya-Sakae. Let's see if I can actually survive this thing.
Destination: Nagoya, Japan (Base Camp: APA Hotel Nagoya-Sakae)
Dates: October 26th - October 30th (ish… look, time's a construct, right?)
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Panic (October 26th)
- Morning: Okay, so the jet lag is a real jerk. Landed at Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). First impression? Clean. Painfully, meticulously, almost offensively clean. Navigating the airport felt like a high-stakes Tetris game with luggage and sleep deprivation. Found the train. Success! … Until I realized I didn't understand the ticket machine. Cue the awkward pointing and flailing at the helpful (and very polite) station attendant. He looked pitying. Bless him.
- Afternoon: APA Hotel check-in. The room? Tiny. Like, you could probably touch all four walls simultaneously. That's… efficient, I guess? The window looks out onto a brick wall. Excellent. My emotional response? Mild panic mixed with a surprising amount of amusement. Okay, gotta embrace the chaos. Unpacked (took exactly 3 minutes).
- Evening: Food, I need food. Found a ramen shop in the Sakae district (after getting gloriously lost for a solid hour). The ramen… Oh. My. God. The broth! The noodles! The perfectly soft-boiled egg! I practically inhaled it. My soul has now been revitalized. This is exactly why I travel. Stumbled back to the hotel, deeply satisfied, and promptly crashed. Forgot to brush my teeth. Oops.
Day 2: Cultural Immersion (and a Mild Existential Crisis) (October 27th)
- Morning: Woke up feeling surprisingly chipper, despite the lack of sleep and brick wall view. Decided to tackle Nagoya Castle. The castle is impressive, historically significant, super cool… but the crowds! So. Many. Tourists. Took a photo with a golden shachi, which probably counts as peak tourist behavior. Felt slightly silly.
- Afternoon: Went to the Tokugawa Art Museum. Now this was more my speed. Stunning artwork! Exquisite craftsmanship! And… a sudden, overwhelming urge to reorganize my entire life. Was confronted by a display of samurai armor. I stood there for what felt like an hour, contemplating the meaning of honor, duty, and the sheer weight of all that steel. My inner monologue was basically a philosophical dissertation mixed with a heavy dose of, “Wow, I’m really not cut out for this." Decided I needed a coffee. And maybe a therapist.
- Evening: Navigated the Sakae shopping district. Lost. Again. Ended up in a Don Quijote. Absolute sensory overload. Aisles upon aisles of… everything. Found a weird kit-kat flavor (matcha, naturally). Bought it. Regretted it a little. Ended up at a tiny, dimly lit yakitori place. The chicken skewers? Perfection. The charcoal smoke? Made me smell like I'd wrestled a dragon. Worth. It.
Day 3: Transportation Tango and Culinary Challenges (October 28th)
- Morning: Decided to venture further afield and take the train to somewhere (don't even remember where). Purchasing tickets? Another round of the "awkward pointing and flailing" Olympics. Managed to almost board the wrong train. The Japanese are incredibly patient with us clueless foreigners. Seriously, bless 'em.
- Afternoon: The train was… long. Eventually arrived in a random town, which was actually pretty nice. Wandered aimlessly into what seemed to be a local market. Found something I didn't recognize; it looked like a squashed, purple alien. Tried it. Tasted… interesting. Very interesting. Let's just say I'm not going to be adding it to my regular diet. The face of the vendor while I was eating it was enough to sell me a new dish.
- Evening: Needed a win. Went back to the ramen shop from Day 1. Ordered the same thing. Felt like I was returning to a friend.
- Late Night: Had a snack of the matcha Kit-Kat from the Don Quijote. It’s actually delicious. I judge myself.
Day 4: The Oasis of Osu Kannon Temple and Arcade Chaos (October 29th)
- Morning: Visited the Osu Kannon Temple. Finally, some peace! The temple grounds were beautiful and tranquil. Watched people feed the pigeons. Felt a strange sense of contentment. This is how you do travel.
- Afternoon: Entered the Osu Shopping Arcade. It's a total sensory assault, in the best possible way. From vintage clothing stores to tiny electronic shops, it had everything. And then I found the arcades. Oh, the arcades. Spent, like, two hours playing rhythm games. My coordination? Terrible. My enjoyment? Unparalleled. Walked out feeling like a kid again, completely broke, and vaguely covered in flashing lights. It was the best. And silliest.
- Evening: Tried to find a specific restaurant someone recommended. Got lost. Again. Ended up in a slightly dodgy, but undeniably delicious, okonomiyaki place. The food was amazing, even if the interior felt like it hadn't been updated since the 70s. Walked home smelling of cooking grease and pure happiness.
Day 5: Departure and Rambling Reflections (October 30th)
- Morning: Packing. In the tiny room of the APA Hotel is more of a Tetris challenge. Said a heartfelt goodbye (okay, maybe not heartfelt, but I did appreciate it) to the brick wall view. Managed to get a coffee before leaving.
- Afternoon: At the airport. Reflecting. Nagoya? It's… complicated. It's not necessarily "pretty" like Kyoto. It doesn't have the energy of Tokyo. But it's got a certain… grit. It’s authentic. It’s messy. It's full of amazing food, friendly people (who put up with my utter lack of language skills), and that little bit of chaos that makes travel truly memorable. I wouldn't say I loved the APA Hotel, but it served its purpose. Got on the plane. Already thinking about coming back. Oh, and I'm buying more Kit-Kats.
Conclusion :
This wasn't a perfect trip. I got lost. I failed miserably at some common tasks. I ate something that probably should've remained in its natural environment. But I had adventures. I learned things (mostly, how to find a good ramen shop). I laughed. And I emerged, slightly sleep-deprived but mostly in one piece, with a memory card full of photos and a heart full of… well, mostly delicious food memories. And a burning desire to get back on the next plane to Japan. Now, to start planning the next trip…
Escape to Greenville: Candlewood Suites' Unforgettable Stay Awaits!
Okay, Okay, Unbelievable Nagoya Views: The APA Hotel Sakae's Secret... Finally Unveiled (Maybe?)
1. So, what *is* this "secret" view everyone's yammering about at the APA Hotel Sakae? Is it actually *unbelievable*? (And should I bring a date?)
Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because the "secret" view... well, it's the *cityscape* from the higher floors. Duh. But *is* it unbelievable? That depends. I, for one, was skeptical. I mean, Nagoya, right? Not exactly Paris. I was expecting... office buildings, maybe a slightly underwhelming Ferris wheel (which *is* there, by the way).
But I'll admit it; the first time I walked in, I kind of gasped. Not a full-on, chandelier-falling-down-in-a-Broadway-musical gasp, more of a "Woah, that's...pretty damn good," kind of gasp. The way the city lights twinkle against the darkness… it's romantic! (Maybe you should bring a date... but they'll probably be staring at their phone, so whatever. It's still a nice view alone.)
2. Which room do I NEED to book to experience this alleged "unbelievable" view? Don't give me some BS about, "It depends on your budget." TELL ME! (Pretty please?)
Okay, fine, fine. Look, I'm not a travel agent, but I've done my *research*. And by "research," I mean, I've stalked enough travel blogs and Reddit threads to be considered a digital creeper.
Generally, the higher the floor, the better. Try for the *south* side. The view from there is better. (I swear, that's what someone told me.) This is, like, their *thing*. I had to book a single on a low floor once, and… let's just say I saw a lot of brick and the fluorescent glare of a convenience store. (Don't do that to yourself.)
Also, be prepared to potentially lose the fight for a "view" room. The APA Hotel Sakae is popular, and for a reason apparently. Book in advance. Way in advance. And maybe bring a small, travel-sized bottle of your "calming" drink of choice. You know... for the inevitable pre-check-in anxiety.
3. The room itself... is it like, clean? Are there tiny toilets? And what about that notorious APA Hotel "controversy"? (Oh, and how's the pillow situation?)
Okay, let's get real. The rooms... they're *Japanese* rooms. Think compact efficiency. Yes, the toilets are tiny. Yes, you may feel like you're living in a well-organized shoebox. The good news? They're usually immaculate. Like, someone's probably vacuuming as we speak. (I hope.)
The APA Hotel "controversy"? Ugh, yeah. Let's just say their CEO has some, shall we say, *interesting* political views. Google it. Whether that bothers you is a personal decision. I'm just here for the view, and the tiny toilet. And I'm trying not to go too far down the rabbit hole of everything.
Oh, and the pillows? Hit or miss. Sometimes you get fluffy clouds of heaven. Other times, you get something that feels like a densely packed beanbag. I advise bringing a travel pillow if you're picky. Or, you know, just embrace the chaos and sleep anyway.
4. Let's say I'm completely, utterly obsessed with this view. What time of day is the *most* unbelievable? Sunset? Sunrise? (Or is it just ALL unbelievable?)
Alright, hardcore view-seeker. I get it. You want the *peak* experience. You want to *feel* something. Okay, here's the deal: Sunset is usually the money shot. The sky explodes in color, the city lights come to life, and you get that glorious picture of the city.
However. And this is a big "however." If you're a sunrise person, you'll get to see the city waking up. It's a different vibe, a different *feel*. It's the "day-is-starting-and-I-can-conquer-the-world" feeling. Personally, I get up early, and I find some of the lights are still on from the night before. It is almost magical.
Honestly? I'd suggest experiencing *both*. Book two nights and make sure you have your camera ready. And don't judge the people who start applauding the sunrise. (I totally did.)
5. Okay, so I'm sold. But what if my view is... blocked? Like, by another building, or an air conditioning unit, whatever? What do I DO?! (I will riot.)
Riot, you say? I FEEL you. That's the nightmare, isn't it? You book that "view" room, you dream of glittering cityscapes, and you get... a brick wall. Ugh.
Here's what you do: First, try to stay calm. (Easier said than done, I know.) Second, politely complain at the front desk. Be nice. Try to sweet-talk them. Kindness goes a LONG way. Ask if they can move you. Politely. If you are not overly polite, you're not going to get what you want.
If the front desk is unhelpful, escalate. Ask for a manager. Show them your confirmation. Explain the situation. Mention how much you were relying on this view for your "inner peace." (Okay, maybe don't say that last part. But try. They might offer you a free breakfast, or a small discount. Worth a shot, right? )
6. Is there anything else to...do...around the APA Hotel Sakae besides, you know, stare at the view?! (Food? Drinks? I need to know about food and drinks.)
Alright, food and drinks! Crucial. This is Nagoya, baby, so you have options. Loads of options!
The Sakae area itself is buzzing with life. You've got plenty of restaurants. Some are good, some are bad. You have your convenience stores for a quick snack. There are department stores with restaurant floors. Honestly? Walk around. Explore. Get lost. (But don't get too lost. Google Maps is your friend. )
You *have* to try Nagoya's local food. Hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice) is amazing. Tebasaki (chicken wings) is a must. Miso katsu (pork cutlet with miso sauce) is also a win. I was once convinced that I'd never find anythingStay Collective
