Excellent as always! I used to stay at the onsen hotel on the west side of JR Nara Station, but this time I tried On-yado Nono on the east side. The service standards are consistently high. The noodle bar, where you can grab a late-night ramen, also doubles as a cozy spot for a coffee during the day – it's incredibly relaxing. It's super convenient for getting around anywhere on the JR line. Plus, there's a large supermarket right downstairs inside the station, which I made sure to pop into every evening on my way back these past few days.
It's a well-known fact that accommodations in Japan can be pricey, so for my trip, I opted for several chain budget hotels, and Smile Hotel was one of them. It offers great value for money.
The Smile Hotel in Nara is conveniently located right next to Nara JR Station; you can spot their sign as soon as you exit the station. It's the perfect starting point for exploring Nara.
Rooms in Japanese budget hotels are generally small, but they are always clean and tidy, with impeccable hygiene standards. And even though the rooms are compact, they still come with a desk and chair, which I found very convenient for writing and organizing. I really appreciate that.
Finally, a heads-up: toiletries and pajamas are available on the first floor for guests to pick up as needed. You might want to grab them before heading up to your room.
The room was spacious, and the hot spring was wonderfully uncrowded and relaxing. Everything was very clean. There's free ice cream in the lobby, which was a nice treat after a hot spring soak!
The hotel is conveniently located near tourist attractions, and it's about a ten-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. The service was excellent, and there's free coffee and tea bags available in the lobby.
The only downside was that the room wasn't very warm. In winter, cold air seeped in near the windows, and even with the air conditioning set to 30 degrees, it still felt a bit chilly.
Three of us in a triple room. 3 adults. Separate. No couples. Just three friends. But they gave us only two cards to the room. I deliberately asked for the third card, as it was obvious that we will need the third one.
Unfortunately they said that only two carfs per room are permitted. 😂 As it was any problem to generate the third one.
**
It was pleasant stay, with semi-public onsen experience (opened for the guests from outside the hotel).
This hotel is super conveniently located right next to JR Nara Station, making transportation a breeze. There's a 7-Eleven and a large supermarket next to JR Nara Station, which is really handy. You can also catch a bus right outside the hotel to Nara Park.
The hotel offers many optional services, showing great thoughtfulness.
The onsen (hot spring) experience was generally good. They even provided sleep aids like different pillows and sleep supplements.
My room was quite spacious for one person, though the facilities were relatively simple. The keyless entry with a password lock on the door was great as it meant I didn't need to carry a room card. The hairdryer was a Refa, and it was fantastic!
The best part was definitely the free happy hour at the restaurant in the evenings. There was a wide variety of drinks available, and many guests brought food from the convenience store to enjoy with their drinks.
The hotel is very enjoyable, located in the historic center and right at the entrance to Nara Park with deer. In the meantime, deer themselves are also walking near the hotel area. The service in the hotel has not been disappointed, the staff are very welcome. Breakfasts were very surprised (for each guest their kitchen). I am sure we will come back again
Hotel is new, room and facilities are fantastic. View from the roof terrace is great! Also thankful for the free shuttle bus to the train station.
We have the dinner and breakfast package. Restaurant seems under staffed. We have to wait for empty plates to be replenised in buffet area. During breakfast time, there is long queue for food and often empty plates.
We went by car!
There was a parking lot where guests could park for free.
The location was also great, as it was only about a 15-minute walk to Todaiji Temple.
We booked a room with dinner and breakfast included, and both were delicious and very satisfying (;;)
They provided petit cakes in the evening, which we enjoyed eating while doodling in our memory notebook!
They even have a hot spring!
The inside of the hotel was very clean, and everything was great, so we were very satisfied!
If I come to Nara again, I'd love to stay here!
The location is really remote. The nearest convenience store is two kilometers away. But the room equipment is very new. But unfortunately there is no bathhouse.
Breakfast is exquisite
Great
102 reviews
9.1/10
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Amazing
GGuest UserA question to think about, ‘What makes a hotel a luxury one?’
To me, it’s luxury because of the hospitality of the staff, quality of the property and the food they provided totally exceed travellers’ expectations, and as a result, we would love to pay more for the experience.
Some staff really tried their very best to help me during my stay while some just didn’t. Upon arrival, I tried to communicate with the staff that I’d like to cancel my third night’s dinner because of the change of my plan. At first, I booked six meals in total and I’d only want to cancel one dinner and they said I needed to pay 100% for the cancelled meal because they have already bought the ingredients. Okay, I tried to understand that because they had already taken away my credit card and there’s nothing I could do about that and I thought it must be a very nice meal and that’s why they insisted that. Disappointingly, the portion was so small and paying the same amount of money I could get so much better food in 虹夕諾雅 or any other five star onsen hotels in Japan. As a result, I went to bed feeling hungry and eating the snacks I bought for myself :( The food portions are like a bento instead of a proper meal. )
Also, the Western style breakfast was so overpriced and the avocado in the omelette was not fresh at all.
One more thing to note is that the complimentary champagne service they provided to their guests. It’s a nice experience but maybe I’m just a lady travelling alone and I couldn’t speak Japanese at all, the waitress didn’t serve me the same way as she served other people in the cafe. When all of them got two glasses of free drinks, one cocktail and one champagne, she only gave me one champagne and didn’t offer me the cocktail. And the day after, there was a nice staff who served me properly and I finally realized that I am entitled to two drinks.
(Sigh)The experience was like buying a Chanel bag. The bag was pricey but the chain of the bag just suddenly fall apart
while you are using it for the very first time. My advice is: Don’t use their catering services especially for the in-room dining plan. There are so many better choices out there in the city. The room and the service of the staff are great tho.
KKay ChHotel is new, room and facilities are fantastic. View from the roof terrace is great! Also thankful for the free shuttle bus to the train station.
We have the dinner and breakfast package. Restaurant seems under staffed. We have to wait for empty plates to be replenised in buffet area. During breakfast time, there is long queue for food and often empty plates.
GGuest UserIt is a very good location ..near nara park ..just 10 mins drive ..you can reach there …there is a family mark nearby …but ..if you wanna park the car ..you check carefully where is the car park ..it is not free but the price is very reasonable..24 hours just 900yen …the hotel located at the 3 floor …so ..if you don’t realise where is the car park ..you have to go 3 floor asking the reception then get back your car to car park ..
LlittlelukelookThis hotel is super conveniently located right next to JR Nara Station, making transportation a breeze. There's a 7-Eleven and a large supermarket next to JR Nara Station, which is really handy. You can also catch a bus right outside the hotel to Nara Park.
The hotel offers many optional services, showing great thoughtfulness.
The onsen (hot spring) experience was generally good. They even provided sleep aids like different pillows and sleep supplements.
My room was quite spacious for one person, though the facilities were relatively simple. The keyless entry with a password lock on the door was great as it meant I didn't need to carry a room card. The hairdryer was a Refa, and it was fantastic!
The best part was definitely the free happy hour at the restaurant in the evenings. There was a wide variety of drinks available, and many guests brought food from the convenience store to enjoy with their drinks.
AAnonymous UserHygiene: Yellow stains that had not been cleaned were found on the toilet
Environment: Halfway up Mount Wakakusa, isolated from the outside noise. The overall design style is modern Japanese. If you want to experience pure Japanese living, you should pay attention to the difference
Service: The service is still worthy of praise. The driver and front desk staff are very enthusiastic. They helped arrange the car to go up the mountain in the morning. It was very lucky to see 👀 deer🦌 on a rainy day
Food: Most of the food arranged is made from local ingredients in Nara. The ingredients are not gorgeous, the taste is OK, and it is more down-to-earth
GGuest UserExcellent as always! I used to stay at the onsen hotel on the west side of JR Nara Station, but this time I tried On-yado Nono on the east side. The service standards are consistently high. The noodle bar, where you can grab a late-night ramen, also doubles as a cozy spot for a coffee during the day – it's incredibly relaxing. It's super convenient for getting around anywhere on the JR line. Plus, there's a large supermarket right downstairs inside the station, which I made sure to pop into every evening on my way back these past few days.
GGuest UserThe service is very good Japanese-style hotel, the hotel owner will drive to Yoshinoya to pick up and drop off guests. The hotel is very clean and the shoes at the door are always neatly placed. The Japanese-style room is clean and tidy, and the balcony window is a cherry tree. Dinner and breakfast are very rich. Every staff member is smiling and polite. Traditional Japanese style bathing style, indoors and outdoors. There are also free massage chairs in the public area.
GGuest UserStepping into the hotel lobby, you're immediately greeted by the distinct aroma of the hot spring baths. We booked a standard room, which was a bit small. If you're traveling with children, I'd recommend a suite for more space. The hotel is super close to Nara Station, just a quick left turn when you exit. The hot spring baths cost extra, but it's not expensive and they're open until midnight. A really thoughtful touch is that the TV in the room shows how busy the baths are. Overall, I'm very satisfied. Japanese hotels are always incredibly clean; you really can't find anything to complain about. I forgot to take pictures of the room, but I did snap a few of the TV, haha. P2 is a specialty product I bought from a persimmon shop in Nara.
BBelle TseI have been to Nara several times and I try a different hotel every time.
Having stayed here, I think I will stay here again when I come to Nara in the future.
As others said, there were deer outside the door in the morning, and the guy at the front desk spoke very good English.
As for parking service, you can rent it from the grocery store opposite
杨杨丰凯The hotel room was incredibly spacious and well-equipped, definitely the largest and most complete I stayed in during my Kansai trip. And all for just about $44 (based on the exchange rate on November 19, 2025)! However, the hotel's location is quite out of the way; it's about a 30-minute walk to the nearest subway station, and the closest bus only comes around after a long wait. Plus, there's a cemetery right next door to the hotel.
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