Hotel choice in Okayama
Which hotel would you choose between Granvia, Dormy Inn and Jr West Via Inn? We are staying for 3 or 4 nights and doing day trips so easy access to station would be useful but Dormy Inn gets slightly better reviews and has an onsen. Going round in circles trying to decide so any personal experience would be helpful. Via Inn probably favourite atm.
Are you comparing similar room sizes and rates?
You'd better check the room size at Via Inn, for 2 people, twin or double, their rooms are 13m2-15m2, a tiny room. I'll have a panicky attack in that size room staying with another person.
The Granvia is a good hotel chain but I didn't like the Okayama one as it’s old, dated, and smelled funny.
Dormy Inn usually has small rooms but at the Okayama location, they gave large rooms, too. It’s a bit of a walk from the station, though.
Also, look into the Daiwa Roynet. It’s decent, has large rooms and is right across from the station.
Granvia had major renovations on 14 and 16 F. We stayed there in late December, 2024, and noticed some other minor renovations or changes. Crowne Plaza has flyover walk connection to the central concourse of JR station. Mitsui Garden Hotel can be also reached via underground street, I remember.
Personally, I quite like the Okayama Granvia (as an option in the city) and have stayed there quite often. I will be at the ANA Crown in a couple of months as the location is pretty handy for the city and day trips.
Mitsui Garden looks nice but significantly more expensive than Via Inn for our dates for a smaller room. Is Via Inn that bad - reviews seem quite good and it is very convenient for the station. We won’t be spending much time in the hotel as will be out and about.
Via Inn and Granvia are both JR West group hotels. Former is budget class. Via Inn Okayama is located in the 5th floor and above of Sun Ste Okayama West building. Lower floors are shops. I stayed other Via Inn. I didn't complain much since it was one night stay with one night luggage, which may be different from your condition. Breakfast buffet in Granvia was very different from our previous stay in 2020. They focus on more regional meals. One thing we think Granvia and Mitsui Garden is convenient is it's easy walk to AEON Mall., which has non touristy restaurants and large food court plus AEON Style (supermarket), apparently.
If not too late, we are in the Dormy Okayama now and it's fine. 9 mins walk to the station.
Not bad breakfast and a few nearby places to eat. It has a quite good Onsen.
Okayama is a fairly quiet place with with not loads to do.
