The stylish lobby (Photo: Peter Sidell)

Hotel Almont in Sendai

Stay in style and comfort at this central hotel

The stylish lobby (Photo: Peter Sidell)
Peter Sidell   - 3 min read

The biggest city in Tohoku, Sendai has so many hotels that it can be difficult to choose. One time, though, one of the websites I use saved me the hassle by offering a deal that was too good to turn down! (I don't guarantee this will happen every time.)

The lobby is a nice welcome to the hotel, with a little lounge area furnished with colourful, comfortable couches and sleek glass tables. The staff were helpful and efficient, giving me a sheet of information in English, and even going as far as to lend me an iPad for the evening when I had trouble with my computer.

The stylish lobby
The stylish lobby

My single room was the usual compact size, absolutely fine for a solo light traveler like myself, though the lack of a full desk made it a little tricky to set up my laptop. Instead I had a little cushioned seat and a little table, nice enough to sit at and have my breakfast (my bargain rate included no meals, of course).

The design was simple, modern and stylish, with plenty of woodtones, a full length mirror, and a nice tiled bathroom rather than the molded plastic unit common in business hotels. Little touches of attention to detail made things more convenient; a bag to carry towels to the public bath, light switches for the whole room immediately by the bed, an effective blind and screen on the window rather than curtains.

My seat and counter
My seat and counter

The public bathroom was good and spacious, with a good range of toiletries, and plenty of room in the bath to stretch out my weary legs and relax after a day at the sights. (As is common in Japan, guests with tattoos aren't allowed to use the bathroom, though that actually didn't stop one Japanese guest from doing so.)

Getting there

The hotel is on Minamimachi-dori, close to the intersection with Chuo-dori. It's just five minutes' walk from the west exit of JR Sendai station, about the same from Aoba-dori Ichibancho station on the Tozi subway line, or less from JR Aoba-dori station.

Rooms come in single, semi-double and double varieties. The rate will vary with room type and season, but you're unlikely to pay more than JPY5000 per head per night, unless you include the slightly expensive buffet breakfast.

Peter Sidell

Peter Sidell @peter.sidell

I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.