AB Hotel Nara

Location of this hotel couldn't be better: just steps away from Nara JR station. The staff were friendly and accommodating, although their English skills are not particularly strong. The breakfast buffet was good (though very much to a Japanese palate), the room was clean, and check in and out was quick and easy. The biggest surprise is that while I made a reservation for 3 people (2 adults and 1 child), the room had one double bed! Needless to say it was a very tight squeeze for all of us, and there is no way a cot could've been added to the room. We were also somewhat shocked to see that people with tattoos would be asked not to use the sento (public bath/spa). It seems a rather outdated rule in 2018, particularly if being open to an international clientele. That said, I'd stay there again, but would definitely ensure we booked a larger room.