• If you are eligible to vote in the United States elections in November 2024, please ensure you obtain your ballot and update your voting information as needed. For centralized resources to assist you, click here to get started.

"Couples hotels" - classy love hotels (Bali An alternatives) ??

Wwanderer

Wwanderer

Kids, don't try this at home!
Joined
Nov 17, 2010
Messages
7,050
Reaction score
15,793
A couple of years ago there was a thread about this unusual and exceptionally nice and unusual chain of love hotels called Bali An:

http://forum.tokyoadultguide.com/escort-service-reviews/1879-lovel-hotel-bali-shinjuku.html

They are still around and are still superb imo, but variety is always fun, so I am wondering if anyone can suggest any similarly classy love hotels in Tokyo?

I recall reading somewhere that Bali An is an example of new type of love hotel, less cheesy and sketchy in atmosphere/style etc than conventional ones. The article even suggested that this new type of love hotel should be called a "couples hotel" instead of a love hotel to distinguish them. However, I have never heard of any other love/couples hotel similar to Bali An in those regards. Have any of you? Any leads much appreciated.

-Ww
 
Many of the love hotels I've been in have been neither sketchy nor cheesy. Some of it depends on the area where you are staying (places like Uguisudani aren't gonna have many upscale love hotels), and if you go to a themed love hotel, it is what it is. Most of them are basically hotel rooms, pretty clean and straight-forward. Just my experience I guess.
 
My standbys are Luxe, Nox, and Velare. They're all part of the same group, a little flashy but modern and nice. Beat Wave is pretty nice too despite being in the middle of Dogenzaka.
 
THANKS!!

Very helpful. They look perfect from their websites (which can be misleading I know).

-Ww
 
meiji said:
Many of the love hotels I've been in have been neither sketchy nor cheesy.
Click to expand...

I suppose it is a matter of taste/judgement whether one would call a typical/conventional love hotel sketchy or cheesy, and I've no interest in debating the point. However, Bali An (and the sort of comparable places I want to find...hopefully including those drewz and SN mention above) operates significantly differently and offers a different selection of services than any other love hotel I've encountered. Basically they are more like a resort hotel than a love hotel, except for renting rooms on a short term basis.

-Ww
 
I have used the Bali An, Luxe and SK Plaza so I know what you refer to with the Bali An's resort feel. So I would say while the Luxe and SK are good quality LHs they are not resort style.
 
Hmmm...it is disappointing, but useful, to hear that. Thanks for the further info.

-Ww
 
Thanks for the extra lead, SN. If/when I try any of these places, I'll report back.

One thing that distinguishes Bali An from "nice" LHs imo is that it seems perfectly normal to check-in and then go out to do something (dinner, clubbing, movie...whatever) and then return to one's room, just like a normal hotel. With normal LHs, the drill seems to be pretty much, check-in, do the deed(s), maybe sleep/relax/hang-out a bit and then leave. My impression is that a lot of guests at Bali An treat it like a normal hotel, in this sense, although I don't know if anyone ever stays for multiple consecutive nights (maybe too expensive).

-Ww
 
Wwanderer said:
Thanks for the extra lead, SN. If/when I try any of these places, I'll report back.

One thing that distinguishes Bali An from "nice" LHs imo is that it seems perfectly normal to check-in and then go out to do something (dinner, clubbing, movie...whatever) and then return to one's room, just like a normal hotel.
-Ww
Click to expand...

You can do that at Aroma too. A number of the more classier LHs let you make reservations as well, usually for overnight stays. Look for 外出 (gaishutsu -- able to come and go as you please) and 予約 (yoyaku -- reservations) on hotel websites. The Aroma site that Serenity Now posted shows 外出OK and 予約可.
 
Serenity Now said:
Aroma, 2 locations in Ikebukuro look resort style. Never tried either as Ikebukuro has not been an area that I have frequented for dates or otherwise.

http://www.hotelaroma.jp/index.html.
Click to expand...

The Bali An my partner and I prefer (Shinjuku Honten) being closed last night for maintennce :mad: , we decided to give the Aroma Baru place in Ikebukero a try.

Very brief review: It was fine, a quite nice LH...but only an LH, really nothing at all like Bali An. It isn't likely that we will go back, but that's mostly because of it's location. We/I also don't spend much time around Ikebukero, especially that side of the tracks.

Btw, they seemed to be doing a healthy business, 80-90% of rooms occupied/unavailable in the middle of a Monday evening. Fwiiw, it is located in a little cluster of LHs (maybe 10 or so of them), all of which looked comparable from the outside (not that you can tell that much without seeing the rooms) and were comparably priced. So, if you go there and can't get a room, there are other options which could easily be as good or better right outside the door.

Anyway, given the success of the Bali An chain, I can't help wondering why no one else is putting resort-style "couples' hotels" on the market.

-Ww
 
Last edited:
Wwanderer said:
Btw, they seemed to be doing a healthy business, 80-90% of rooms occupied/unavailable in the middle of a Monday evening.
Click to expand...

The tiny, little used North Exit (北口) out of Ikebukuro Station, closest to the cluster of hotels you found, is a major meeting place for a lot of Ikebukuro based DH shops since it's so easy to find people there other compared to the major East/West exits.

Single guys hanging around the phone booths with their mobile out might just fit the bill. Or at least that's what I've heard! :D
 
Wwanderer said:
Anyway, give the success of the Bali An chain, I can't help wondering why no one else is putting resort-style "couples' hotels" on the market.

-Ww
Click to expand...

This has a lot to do with the newer laws in place about love hotels that can be newly built or renovated. The latest law text says that in certain areas, only existing love hotels can be renovated while no new ones can be opened. Roppongi is a perfect example of the restriction, can't build a new one and it's probably too costly to renovate.

That all said... thanks for your post about Ikebukuro. Like you, I hardly venture to that side of the tracks.

Bali An.... maintenance... that sucks. :mad:
 
I should clarify that Bali An seemed to be closed only for that one (Monday) night, not longer term. I edited my post above to reflect my understanding (actually my partner's, since she was the one who read in Japanese that it was closed on their website).

And, yes, we went to the Baru place via the North Exit of Ikebukero Eki, and there was definitely a sketchy ambiance in the streets there...enough to bother my partner who will not, for example, go to the Bali An in Kabukicho because she does not like the vibe there (in Kabukicho, not in the hotel).

-Ww
 
Wwanderer said:
A couple of years ago there was a thread about this unusual and exceptionally nice and unusual chain of love hotels called Bali An:

http://forum.tokyoadultguide.com/escort-service-reviews/1879-lovel-hotel-bali-shinjuku.html

They are still around and are still superb imo, but variety is always fun, so I am wondering if anyone can suggest any similarly classy love hotels in Tokyo?
Click to expand...

I`d say all love hotels now are less cheesy than they used to be. Old-timers like me still remember the real weird stuff, with slides, carousells, bondage equipment, vibrating beds, you name it. But it turns out the women prefer more low-key and less in-your-face, so now you are more likely find really nice design and equipment like Karaoke stereo etc. Heck, they don´t even call them love hotels any more. The name I more often see is "Designer Hotel".
In general I think the more you are prepared to pay, the more classy you get.
 
drewz said:
My standbys are Luxe, Nox, and Velare. They're all part of the same group, a little flashy but modern and nice. Beat Wave is pretty nice too despite being in the middle of Dogenzaka.
Click to expand...

There is a Velare in Ebisu too. Tried recently (after a long period of inactivity), and found it very nice indeed. Different classes of rooms, we took one of the more expensive ones, and it was worth it.

Before, I used to go to "B-side" in Gotanda. Nice place; the cheaper rooms are a bit cramped, the more expensive ones very nice. What I especially liked was that they a had a free drink bar for customers in the lobby. If all the rooms were full and you were waiting, you could just hang out in one of the nice corners in the lobby and drink free draft beer... as much as you want. Could get counterproductive if you overdo it though.

Next week I will check if the situation has changed.
 
Just went to the Azabu juban matsuri and passed by the "Hotel Glanz". It is right there on the main street, not in a redlight district, and does not have the fancy design of a love hotel, but the price list at the entrance suggests it is one. Has anybody been there?
http://www.theglanz.jp/
 
Yes, have used The Glanz.

Price is a little higher than your average LH but the quality is good.

And, yes, Azabujuban is not really a red light district. But the The Glanz is a good choice if you are in the area and need an LH.

Also Gotanda is not far away and there are some good LHs there too.

Hope you enjoyed the まつり, I did too. Damn crowded but plenty of good food and drink.

SN
 
The matsuri was great as always. Just having some interesting food and ogling all the cute girls is worth it. About the Glanz, the talk about membership at their website confuses me. Is that only for collecting bonus points, or do they actually want to fill out a form to become a member before you can check into a room? I would hate that. When I go to a LH, really want easy, uncomplicated LH style check in.
 
No, you can book and use a room without being a member.

It does not have the typical anonymity of the Gotanda and Shibuya LHs. Does not worry me, but worth noting if it is a concern.

And, yes, besides the food and drink there were plenty of cute girls at the matsuri. Sounds like you enjoyed it too.

SN...
 
Serenity Now said:
No, you can book and use a room without being a member.
It does not have the typical anonymity of the Gotanda and Shibuya LHs.
Click to expand...

By that you mean, it has a hotel like reception counter instead of the standard LH picture board with photos and room numbers, plus the small pay window?
 
It's been a while since I was there but as I remember you can choose a room like standard LHs from a console but the reception desk is more standard hotel style, open desk etc., not the typical opaque glass screen with small opening at most LHs.

I think The Glanz is somewhere between a business hotel and more typical LH.

SN.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.