We usually stay at the Holiday Inn Kyoto over Xmas but this year we decided to try the Holiday Inn Express in Kobe. A great little hotel in a good location for access to the subway which takes you to the Sannomiya (main shopping / dining area) in one stop for ¥200. In spite of earlier comments; this is not a run down seedy area. Mostly residential mix of single homes and apartments. Down the street one block is a Lawson's convenience store and next to it a pricey coffee shop (¥650 for a cappuccino) . Going north is a shopping mall with a host of cheap Japanese/Western restaurants on the third floor. We enjoyed a small steak place for about ¥1000 each. But as mentioned, the subway takes you to the best area for shopping and eating. Also a Wendy's is in the mall for the hungry kids.
The hotel itself is clean and well run. The staff knows it's stuff and goes out of their way to explain anything you might need to know. Free wireless throughout the hotel. The room (two double beds non-smoking) is clean and comes with all the standards, safe, re fridge (with it's own on/off switch), tea maker, etc.. but no iron or board (ask). The rooms have a charming sliding paper screens over the windows and yukata for the guests to wear as well as slippers. The only thing we didn't like was the lighting which is dim. For longer stays we'd replace the bulbs as we read and need to see a bit better.
Breakfast is included and has lots of fresh breads, toast if you like, and coffee and oj. An upgrade for ¥525 gets you eggs, sausage and fresh fruit. Adjoining the hotel is a small restaurant which serves lunch and dinner I believe.
Overall, a great stay for about ¥15000 for two with taxes and service charges. You can beat the price but certainly not the quality of the Holiday Inn Express.











