Love hotels in Japan are designed specifically for a short stay accommodation that offers hourly or nightly rate. It is a facility where you can enjoy a hotel room with equipment suitable for sexual activities. There is a big difference between love hotels and normal hotels, obviously, love hotels offer varieties of equipment and services for your need.

The concept of a love hotel is not uniquely restricted to Japan, but the modern term itself comes from Hotel Love, the first hotel opened in Osaka in 1968 that serves the same purpose.  It was soon followed by thousands of other love hotels throughout the country. They were originally meant as short-stay destinations for couples needing a little privacy. Let us introduce you more about these fascinating love hotels!

 

 

 

How to Distinguish a Love Hotel From Normal Hotels

In general, there will be a signboard at the entrance that helps you distinguish love hotels from your typical hotels. There will be much more privacy in terms of parking lot entrances and the pedestrian entrances, it is to avoid the awkwardness when using this service.

In addition, many love hotels have a flashy appearance, so if you see colourful signboards with neon light decorations, it is highly likely that you are at a love hotel.

 

 

The Service

Usually love hotels are unmanned, everything is done through an electronic system panel, pretty cool right?

The menu for room service and food options are usually on the menu panel instead of your typical reception. The shampoo and body wash are usually in the lobby and you can grab it as need.

Also, when you enter the room, there are many adult goods, so you can tell at the first glance that it is a love hotel.

 

 

Check-in

Checking in is fairly easy and simple. When you first enter the hotel, there is usually a panel that allows you to choose a room of your choice. You can choose the payment options either on-the-spot payment or deferred payment. You will then receive a card key for your room after your payment, then the fun begins!

 

 

Check-out

Just like your typical hotels, you will have to return the card key at the front desk. The lock will be unlocked if you informed the front desk that you will no longer use the service. In the case of pre-payment, only the card key that needs to be returned to the front desk. If you haven’t paid, you'll need to pay at the automatic checkout machine in your room or at the front desk.

 

 

What do Love Hotels offer?

Well, there is a reason why people choose love hotel service over typical hotels for their romantic time. Firstly, majority of love hotel rooms are worth the stay, they’re typically spacious and packed with great amenities such as a full jacuzzi bath, karaoke system, large screen TV with video-on-demand service, even a small kitchen and a mini bar.

They also have plenty of general hygiene products such as body soap, shampoo, conditioner, facial cleansers and many more. Usually, there will be free condoms provided in a small box next to the bed for easy access.

 

They also have product rental services from phone charger, massage gadgets, nail clips and whenever you could possibly need for your stay. It makes your stay a lot more convenient as you don’t have to bring all these essential things from home.

 

Photo: h-sophia

 

 

Royalty program

Certain love hotels may even have royalty card system, this can include rewards such as room upgrade if you spend over certain number of nights at the hotel. You can also be rewarded with different prizes or even receive a gift card for fine dining restaurants if you spend a certain amount at the hotel.

 

 

Pricing

The charm of using Love Hotel services is that you can enjoy a short stay for few hours or an overnight stay, purely depending on your need and preference. Generally, a short stay be from 2 hours up to 4 hours, the cost is between 2,900 yen – 7,000 yen.

While an overnight stay can cost anywhere from 3,900 yen to 20,000 yen, depending on the hotel and the day of the week. Additionally, during weekends and public holidays it is expected that the price can go up drastically due to high demand.

 

Love Hotels Can be Found in Different Settings

Building type – These rooms usually look like a typical hotel. However, most of them are unmanned receptionists unlike a normal hotel, as with a normal hotel, you can use a large and luxurious room for a high fee. Building-type hotels are especially common in downtown areas, it looks just like a regular room so you don't have to worry about being spied on, and use to service to your liking.  

 

Motel type - This is a type of hotel where you can put your car in the garage and enter the room through the doorway inside the garage. You can check if the room is vacant by checking if there is a car or if there is a lamp that indicates that it is in used. These hotels are perfect for those that don’t want their cars to be seen at a love hotel as they often have their own private parking in the garage. 

 

 

 

Now, we want to introduce you to some of the top picks Love Hotels in Shinjuku, the city of love.

 

HOTEL Bali An Resort Shinjuku Main Store

 

 

This hotel is gorgeously decorated and is quite perfect for a romantic night. It is a luxury style love hotel, furnished with luxurious furniture imported directly from Bali, the hotel has scent of exotic fragrances that will make you feel like you are on a honeymoon.

 

 

 

The room itself is large and clean, it has sunlight coming through the windows which gives you a feeling of freshness unlike the ordinary love hotels. 

 

 

 

 

 

HOTEL PASHA

 

 

This hotel has attractive amenities, not only that they provide some basic items that women need such as curling irons and hair dryers, but they also have humidifiers and skin-steamers which you don’t see quite often in love hotels.

You can change the lighting of the room in 5 patterns, so you can enjoy it in the mood that suits you. It is a love hotel with a large room as well as abundant amenities. Enjoy a highly satisfying activity at Hotel Pasha, which provides one of the best atmospheres in Kabuki Cho.

 

 

 

 

 

HOTEL GRAND CHARIOT

 

 

This is a highly recommended love hotel in Shinjuku that aims to provide excellent customer service as a “luxury love hotel”. It not only offers women's amenities but also men's amenities as well.

 

 

It is known for its clean and fresh rooms, the arrangement of indirect lighting that improves the atmosphere is also a strong point of the Grand Chariot. Visit this place if you’re looking for something fun that also has that luxury feel to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOTEL GIARDINO

 

 

This hotel is attractive due to its convenient location. A love hotel with has a great location near the station, within a 5-minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station. You don’t have to worry about finding parking if you choose to take the train.

 

 

There is room service for meals, so you can enjoy your night in with your partner. Drinks in the lobby are charged but can be purchased for 10 yen. Recommend for couples seeking for a simple hotel with lots of fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Sources

Smartlog