Kuretake Inn is a chain of business hotels, plus a handful of more upmarket places, mostly in the main cities of Shizuoka Prefecture. They're usually located close to the station, and offer clean, comfortable no-frills rooms at very reasonable prices. As the name suggests, this one is bang in the middle of Hamamatsu, within easy distance of the station and main shopping and nightlife areas.
My ¥4250 single room was typically compact, with all the standard business hotel amenities present and correct: fridge, TV, molded plastic unit bathroom. Despite the central location, the double-glazed windows meant there was next to no noise from outside, and I got a solid, undisturbed night's sleep. This was helped by the size of the bed, wider than those in similar chain hotels, so better able to comfortably accommodate my foreign frame.
Elsewhere in the hotel there are coin-operated washing machines, vending machines for soft drinks, beer and snacks, and a "Service Corner" in the lobby with a little manga library, extra supplies to take to your room, and souvenirs and more snacks for sale. There's also a free-use PC in the lobby, rental PCs available from reception, or if you've brought your own, there's free Wi-Fi everywhere and LAN cables in the rooms.
The rate included a buffet breakfast, more Japanese-style than western, with curry and rice, eggs either scrambled or very, very soft-boiled, vegetables, salad, bread and jam. Not only that, but during "Happy Hour" every evening, there are complementary drinks on offer in the dining area, with liqueurs, spirits, juices, soft drinks and snacks. The sign says you're allowed one drink, but it's self-service, so I poured myself a pretty generous measure. "Happy hour" indeed!
There are single, double and twin rooms available, either smoking or non-smoking. The hotel's website says rooms start at ¥6200 for singles, but a quick look on a popular booking site showed that there are better deals to be had, with prices below ¥4500 for some dates. With the level of service and facilities you get, and a free breakfast and drink to boot, this is one of the best value hotels I've found in Japan.
