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Reviews of Smile Hotel Wakayama This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

640-8232 Wakayama, Wakayama, Minamimigiwacho 18, Japan

#21 of 30 hotels in Wakayama

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 47 hotel reviews

7.1

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    7.4

  • Comfort

    7.6

  • Location

    8.4

  • Facilities

    7.1

  • Staff

    7.8

  • Value for money

    7.7

  • Free Wifi

    6.8

Verified guest reviews from real Bookers

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: March 25, 2025

    8.0
    As always, enjoyed our stay very much
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night

    breakfast was better than our expectations. we loved the location because it was next to the castle.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: March 19, 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There's this rude guy in the reception who is not willing to help us. Telling us that he can't do our request. But I already talked to a person upon check in that this is possible. I don't know what's is he's problem. While the lady listening who is also at the reception, she helped us and explained to this guy that we could help them. This guy is weird 😐

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: October 15, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    cool view to the wakayama castle from the room

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: October 8, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    breakfast is normal

    OK Good view

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: August 27, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    It was very convenient to go anywhere, and nearby Wakayama castle . Our room had a perfect view to see the Wakayama Castle.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: May 26, 2024

    7.0
    Typical business hotel with a view, but lack the quietness and pristine location.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Single Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 4 nights

    -Still a bit far from the two main train stations in Wakayama -Some revolving machine noise throughout day and night -The facilities are a bit old

    -Not very pricey -Can see Wakayama castle from my own window -Close to bus stops

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: April 16, 2024

    7.0
    Fair
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Small room

    Close to castle

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 5, 2024

    7.0
    overall good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 3 nights

    There are not enough restaurants you can reach by walk, but it is ok as this is Wakayama not Osaka. It will be much better if they have the bicycle rental for a day not only one hour total.

    you can see the Wakayama castle while having your breakfast buffet, and even in your room. Good view!

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: December 1, 2023

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Single Room - Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    A bit old

    Location

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: August 16, 2023

    8.0
    Good place for value. Very cool view. Decent room with new AC, etc. but aged shower
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The shower (though affixed with a new controller/handle and shower head) was very old. If the shower units themselves were replaced then I would rate this place higher. Also, the backs of the curtains were all shredded up. You can’t tell unless you look behind it though.

    The view of the castle from the room was amazing! I also thought the new AC and air filter was good. The beds were decent too.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: August 14, 2023

    6.0
    The stay was comfortable
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Single Room - Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There is no place to eat nearby.

    good place to travel by car

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: June 29, 2023

    8.0
    Good location for sightseeing, nice breakfast
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Clean, comfortable room. Really nice buffet breakfast, reasonably priced, and the dining room has an excellent view of Wakayama castle. The location of the hotel is good for sightseeing at Wakayama castle and about 10 mins from Wakayamashi Station (Wakayama station is further away)

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: June 15, 2023

    7.0
    Great pillows not so great bathrooms
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 4 nights

    The bathrooms were not my style. they were a bit scary for my tastes.

    The staff were very kind and accommodating. The elevator was cool and the fridge was nice because it stayed cold even when we left the room. The pillows were shockingly comfortable. I don't know that I've ever had such a good pillow at a hotel before.

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: April 19, 2023

    7.0
    Good and near Wakayama castle.
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Twin Room - Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Too small room

    Friendly straffs

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: November 21, 2022

    7.0
    The room is relatively old, with the bathroom ventilation already out of order.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights

    as we choose quiet room, the room view is facing the car park instead of facing the castle.

    the bathroom ventilation doesn't work, but we asked the staff for an extra ventilation machine, good that they can provide.

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: September 19, 2024

    9.0
    The Smile Hotel made me smile!!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Single Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The room was clean and relatively roomy. The breakfast buffet was excellent featuring several Wakayama specialties. I loved the location away from downtown close to Wakayama Castle, the Wakayama Prefecture Museum, The Wakayama City Museum and the MOMAW. The view of Wakayama Castle was an extra bonus!

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: April 9, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Super value. Good size and clean room with fantastic view of the castle. Breakfast is 900 yen per person which is also worth the money, mostly Japanese dishes but they also have eggs, sausages, breads and yogurt plus panorama view of the castle. They had a place for our bikes.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: December 29, 2023

    9.0
    Great hotel with view on the castle, peaceful and relaxing.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Single Room - Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights

    vending machines running out of some products. the staf may be a bit "cold". the location might be a bit far from night life.

    Amazing view on the castle, unforgettable! Very good service from the staff, very professional, may be a bit "cold". Location : perfect for me, at this point of my trip.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: September 27, 2023

    10
    Great view onto the castle
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Breakfast had good variety but taste was only decent. Bathroom was a bit tight and can get slippery so be careful not to fall into the bathtub like me. :) No big complaints in general.

    Great Location right next to the Castle, though a bit far from the station. View over the castle especially great at night and during breakfast. Though windows cannot be opened and were a bit dirty.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: August 26, 2023

    4.0
    Normal hotel
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Single Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Cleaness and comparability

    Just location

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: August 21, 2023

    5.0
    Fair
    • Solo traveler
    • Single Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    bed linen was damp, (the room itself was damp) and the air conditioner hit me directly when lying on the bed. although it's not the hotel's fault, the folks next room started to party after midnight, so it was hard to get to sleep.

    location was good. overall the place was cleen compared to other Smile Hotels in Japan.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: August 18, 2023

    3.0
    It was not value for money as the room and restroom was not clean and seems not well maintained.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The restroom was too stinky and even after cleaning it was the same. I never expected this in Japan.

    Location is good. Staffs were helpful.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: June 4, 2023

    10
    lovely and helpful staff and ease of hotel next to famous castle
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    no place for parking bicycle.

    easy to find and helpful staff

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: June 1, 2023

    9.0
    Hotel next to the Castle with a great view .
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing to dislike. It suited our needs.

    Typical Smile Hotel with efficient service and a great window view of Wakayama Castle.

    Stayed in June 2023

Showing 1 - 25

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