Naive traveler - what does this mean in a hotel description

[Miss Marple]

I have traveled quite a lot and have never encountered this:

This is a hotel in Kyoto, Japan

 

Modern décor and warm lighting feature throughout the guest rooms at Hotel Grand Fine. All air-conditioned units are well equipped with a fridge, complimentary mineral water and an electric kettle with instant coffee. A spacious bathtub, a flat-screen TV, a sauna room and toiletries are in the attached bathrooms. Rooms have erotic items and TV channels.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/kansai/kyoto/hotels/hotel-grand-fine-kyoto-minami#ixzz43w1hOOaH

 

What does that mean?  Nude pictures on the wall?  Or more "useful" devices?

 

This is the hotel recommended by our travel company  :huh:  We will be traveling with my sons (ages 20, 23)

 

Edited March 25, 2016 by Miss Marple

[SKL]

LOL hopefully it is small stuff that you can hide from the kids.  :P  I have seen some items in mini-bars that are optional to use if your plans include intimacy.  Maybe that is what they mean.

[Carol in Cal.]

In Japan they have 'love hotels' I have heard.

I haven't actually seen them, but they are intended for sex specifically.

I understand that they might have things like lots of different height nozzles in the large glass-walled showers, and strategically placed mirrors, among other things.  You have to understand, I was a pretty professional woman engineer being told this by other expats in a semi-business setting, so I think that there was a probably a lot more to this than they felt comfortable saying.

My inclination on reading that description would be to google the phrase in quotes, above, but I can't honestly say that I'm brave enough to do it myself, LOL.

[Guest]

Erotic items isn't usually the same as a love hotel - the former is a box of things like flavored lube, vibrators, condoms, etc. The latter is designed with sexual fun in mind and refers more to the style of the room and sometimes optional services.

[Arcadia]

Think honeymoon suites :lol:

 

My lady cousin had pimps knocking on hotel doors in hotels that mainly have corporate customers. That is more worrying.

[SparklyUnicorn]

LOL!

 

Never heard of something like that. 

[Ravin]

It's likely to mean a vending machine with condoms and dildos and vibrators and such. Or free condoms and a vending machine with dildos and vibrators. 

They really aren't kidding when they say "spacious" in reference to a bathtub, either. Keep in mind it's customary to actually wash using provided shower facilities and then just use the tub for a soak. 

 

Love hotels tend to offer nightly or hourly rates and also have "themes", either to the rooms, or to the whole motel. Like the Halloween Motel, for instance. Also free soft porn TV channels.

 

I stayed in one a couple of times when I was stationed in Japan in the Navy.

Edited March 25, 2016 by Ravin

[Jean in Newcastle]

In Japan they have 'love hotels' I have heard.

I haven't actually seen them, but they are intended for sex specifically.

I understand that they might have things like lots of different height nozzles in the large glass-walled showers, and strategically placed mirrors, among other things.  You have to understand, I was a pretty professional woman engineer being told this by other expats in a semi-business setting, so I think that there was a probably a lot more to this than they felt comfortable saying.

My inclination on reading that description would be to google the phrase in quotes, above, but I can't honestly say that I'm brave enough to do it myself, LOL.

 

This.  My naive parents once booked a family vacation once at one of those.  The "girls" who worked there were very taken with having American kids to entertain (in totally appropriate ways).  Our Japanese friends were horrified at my parents for where they took us! 

[Beaniemom]

The expedia listing for the hotel has pictures and some reviews that might gove you some idea what to expect. It does look like there is a vibrator at the head of every bed.

[reign]

Under Important Information it says "This hotel is not intended for families."

 

Does that mean only couples?

Edited March 25, 2016 by reign

[Laura Corin]

Under Important Information it says "This hotel is not intended for families."

 

Does that mean only couples?

 

It sounds like a love hotel.  They had them in Taiwan when I lived there too.  Mostly secret couplings, but not necessarily prostitution.  Some people who live with parents and want to get together with boy/girlfriends.

Edited March 25, 2016 by Laura Corin

[Ravin]

Under Important Information it says "This hotel is not intended for families."

 

Does that mean only couples?

 

I would assume it means don't bring kids. Solitary business travelers and/or couples would probably be fine.

 

The OP's kids are adults, but OTOH, might be awkward to share one of these rooms with their mom.

[Lanny]

THE source for checking out properties where one might stay is https://www.tripadvisor.com/  Read the recent Reviews there...   What you described sounds like it might be what is called a "Motel" here in Colombia. A "motel" here is where people who are (probably) not married to each other go, for what is referred to on WTM as "tea".    Others who have replied   previously, in this thread have given you an idea of what clientele that property may cater to.  Whether or not you want to spend time there, with your family, is up to you, but I would suggest checking it out on TripAdvisor.  Enjoy your trip!  

[gardenmom5]

I have traveled quite a lot and have never encountered this:

This is a hotel in Kyoto, Japan

 

Modern décor and warm lighting feature throughout the guest rooms at Hotel Grand Fine. All air-conditioned units are well equipped with a fridge, complimentary mineral water and an electric kettle with instant coffee. A spacious bathtub, a flat-screen TV, a sauna room and toiletries are in the attached bathrooms. Rooms have erotic items and TV channels.

 

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/kansai/kyoto/hotels/hotel-grand-fine-kyoto-minami#ixzz43w1hOOaH

 

What does that mean?  Nude pictures on the wall?  Or more "useful" devices?

 

This is the hotel recommended by our travel company  :huh:  We will be traveling with my sons (ages 20, 23)

 

 

if the link is to the actual hotel -I'd think they need to get a better Japanese to English translator . . . .

 

then again . . . booking.com http://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/hotel-grand-fine-kyotookazaki.html

lists it as *adult* only . . . .

 

I would pass  on to your travel company you need a FAMILY hotel.  not one for grown-ups only.

Edited March 25, 2016 by gardenmom5

[Lanny]

"This is the hotel recommended by our travel company".    You should replace your travel company with another one, ASAP.   You will do FAR BETTER, if you search on TripAdvisor.com and read the recent Reviews of any property you contemplate staying in.   You DO NOT NEED a   "travel company" like that, making recommendations like this to you. An idiot recommended that property to you.   You will do much better, doing your own research, and making your own reservations.  I am a former airline employee and then worked as a Travel Agent for one year.  If someone I worked with recommended a property like that, to a family, they would have been terminated.  

[Laura Corin]

if the link is to the actual hotel -I'd think they need to get a better Japanese to English translator . . . .

 

then again . . . booking.com http://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/hotel-grand-fine-kyotookazaki.html

lists it as *adult* only . . . .

 

I would pass  on to your travel company you need a FAMILY hotel.  not one for grown-ups only.

Booking.com explicitly describes it as a love hotel.

[gardenmom5]

Booking.com explicitly describes it as a love hotel.

 

I'm the one who posted the link to booking.com  the OP's was a different link.

[Laura Corin]

I'm the one who posted the link to booking.com  the OP's was a different link.

 

Yes, I know.  I was just making explicit to the OP that it was a love hotel.  Didn't mean to cause confusion.

[Carol in Cal.]

Under Important Information it says "This hotel is not intended for families."

 

Does that mean only couples?

I think so, yes.

[gardenmom5]

"This is the hotel recommended by our travel company".    You should replace your travel company with another one, ASAP.   You will do FAR BETTER, if you search on TripAdvisor.com and read the recent Reviews of any property you contemplate staying in.   You DO NOT NEED a   "travel company" like that, making recommendations like this to you. An idiot recommended that property to you.   You will do much better, doing your own research, and making your own reservations.  I am a former airline employee and then worked as a Travel Agent for one year.  If someone I worked with recommended a property like that, to a family, they would have been terminated.  

 

I think she should also notify that travel company that an *adult* (in *every* sense of the word) hotel was recommended for a family.  the person who made the recommendation (whether themselves naïve, careless, or other) won't even have a chance of being "enlightened" if their idocy isn't made known to their employer.

 

and then,  yes, I would find another agency asap.  It would call into question everything else they had done, and I'd wonder what other "surprises" were just waiting to be discovered . .  .  . 

 

I do a lot of my own travel planning, hotels/flights/cars etc - but sometimes you do want to pay extra to have someone else handle it - especially when there is a language barrier.  that someone needs to be trust worthy to consider the welfare and best interests of their client.

[gardenmom5]

I would assume it means don't bring kids. Solitary business travelers and/or couples would probably be fine.

 

The OP's kids are adults, but OTOH, might be awkward to share one of these rooms with their mom.

 

ya think?  I remember going to a romantic comedy with my *adult* dd, and dh . . . . and thinking, this is so inappropriate.  the carp they put in movies today that really doesn't move the plot.  it was "awkward".  (dh was oblivious).

[Guest]

It sounds like a love hotel. They had them in Taiwan when I lived there too. Mostly secret couplings, but not necessarily prostitution. Some people who live with parents and want to get together with boy/girlfriends.

And I thought I had heard everything...

[Lanny]

@Miss Marple   OT:  Do not forget the International Date Line, when you make your reservations!     If you have the time, you will probably do much better, making your own reservations, for the airline flights and the hotel, using an OTA (Online Travel Agency, like Expedia) than with the help you got with this hotel recommendation, from someone who obviously has NO CLUE about what they are talking about, or where to find up to date information, so they can recommend something decent   for your family.  

 

I just told my wife, that  I cannot guarantee that everything will be perfect, with our airline or the rental car or the Timeshare next month, but that I spent a lot of time checking things out, before making the reservations we paid for,  and I have my fingers crossed that everything will be fine. 

[Suzanne in ABQ]

And I thought I had heard everything...

 

 

My thought exactly!  I love this board because I learn so much.  I never expected to learn *this* today!  

[Lanny]

OP   After you have purchased your airline tickets, , I strongly suggest that you purchase temporary Travel Insurance, to cover each member of your party, in case of a Medical Emergency or an Accident.  We bought that for our trip to the USA next month. I believe it was about USD $40 for 8 days, per person. That same amount of money, I suspect, could have covered us for more days.  Any Medical Insurance you have in the USA is not valid outside the USA, and if it was, it is incredibly unlikely that a hospital in another country would accept your coverage.  We probably have that coverage, on a Credit Card, but how would we know, if the bank cancelled their contract with the Insurance Provider, before or during our trip? We have no way of knowing that and I am not willing to depend on the coverage that goes with the Credit Card.   If I was positive that coverage would cover us, we would not have spent the money to buy it from the OTA I made the airline and car rental reservations with. 

[lexi]

Is this traveler talking about the hotel you mentioned? I think it might be the same one. If so, it does mention that it's a love hotel and is best for adults only. Sounds like they rent rooms by the hour.

 

http://www.travelfeeder.com/travel_guides/stay-hotel-grand-fine-kyoto-okazaki

[Lanny]

If you are only going to one city in Japan, your trip will be extremely easy to arrange.  If you are going to *multiple* cities in Japan, as my favorite singer/band have done, that becomes more complicated, especially if you are returning to the states from another airport and/or flying within Japan.  .  If it is only a hotel in Kyoto, one thing you might do is to look on the web sites of American Express Travel and Thomas Cook Travel, to see which hotels they use on their Tours to Japan, in that city.  Those will probably be decent, reliable properties and then you should check them out on TripAdvisor.  .  If you are going to *multiple* cities in Japan then you might consider looking for a Travel Agency that specializes in travel to Japan and is run by Japanese Americans. Probably those would be located on the West Coast.   Also, you can look for a "Wholesaler" specializing in Japan as a destination. Nobody is an expert on everything.  The wife of one of my cousins has been selling Cruise Travel for many years. That's all she does. She knows far more about that then people who are Generalists.  Find someone who knows what they are doing, not someone who knows nothing, like the person that recommended that property in Kyoto to you.   GL

[OneStepAtATime]

Well, you learn something new everyday...:)

 

Good luck with your trip OP.

[Miss Marple]

LOL!  I'm so glad I asked here rather than Googling.  I'm using a company we have used in the past for other trips.  It's more of an online (you can speak with real people if desired) company (tripmasters.com/european destinations.com).  They put together the package with suggested hotels, but they also give you a list of hotels you can change to - usually for an upcharge.  This particular one in Kyoto was the lowest priced.  We realized that we were scheduled in Kyoto over the weekend.  When we changed that, a whole lot of other hotels opened up for the same price.  I guess Kyoto is a hopping place on the weekends. :lol:

 

Thankfully, we will be getting two rooms - one for the boys and one for dh and myself.  

 

Just an aside:  The 23 year old graduated last May, did an internship with SpaceX, is working in a lab this semester with a friend's start-up, and he has a nice savings account.  The trip was his idea and he is paying his own way! He said he had promised himself a big trip after graduation and that's what kept him going through undergrad.  It's so nice when they become financially independent.  He heads to Georgia Tech in August for grad school so I imagine he'll end up using a bit of that savings in the next couple of years.

 

We had originally planned to go to Turkey, but nixed that when the government took over the newspaper (felt it was unsafe).  Then we considered going to Spain/Portugal so he could attend the Barcelona Formula 1 race (he was on the race team at OU during undergrad), but when I found an article in a British newspaper advising against travel to France, Spain, and Turkey...well, we decided to go the other direction.  We are looking forward to this trip.  It will be very different from our other jaunts.

 

Thank you all for the information.  Glad I wasn't the only one who didn't know what that meant  :laugh:

Edited March 26, 2016 by Miss Marple

[Eagle]

"Remember that trip Mom booked over the internet where we stayed in an erotic love hotel in Japan?"

 

They will be talking about this trip for years!

[MedicMom]

As a mom of three kids under the age of 5, and a husband I only see in passing and then we are being mobbed with children, I think the idea of a love hotel sounds great.

[Lanny]

Miss Marple: In post #30 you included "We had originally planned to go to Turkey, but nixed that when the government took over the newspaper (felt it was unsafe)"  The reason for the extreme lack of safety in Turkey at this time has *nothing* to do with the takeover of a newspaper. The reason is the recent Suicide bombings, which have killed and maimed many innocent people, in Ankara and in Istanbul.   The information you have about Western Europe is also correct.  In those places, there is a much higher risk of Muslim Terrorist attacks.   The risk of one actually being in the "Wrong Place at the Wrong Time" is very small, but the risk is real.  My family understands that there is more risk for us, when we are at Tourist attractions in Florida, for example, and in the Airport in Florida, than the risks we normally have here in Colombia. That is a risk we will take.  There have been Terrorist attacks in Japan, but I believe they have nothing to do with Muslim Terrorists. I read something, several months ago, which said that Japan is extremely restrictive with regard to Muslims. If that is true, then you have very little risk of Muslim Terrorists in Japan.   Regarding the Travel Agency you are using, I would again suggest that you consider using a company that specializes in travel to Japan, especially if your trip within Japan involves travel to several cities, and flights or train travel within Japan.  Back to Turkey: The son of one of my cousins and his family lived in Ankara for several years (approximately 2010 as I recall).  Early in 2015, he had to go back to Ankara for 2 or 3 weeks. After his trip, he told his Mother, "I NEVER WANT TO GO BACK THERE AGAIN!" .    Work on your travel plans.  Spend at least one week, planning for each day that you will be in Japan and have a safe trip!   My cousin and his wife had been to Turkey, several times, to visit them, when they lived in Ankara.

[Eliz]

And I thought I had heard everything...

 

Me too!  I'm amazed at how much I'm learning from the hive!  My younger daughter loves everything Japanese.  Now if we ever get to visit there, I'll know to where not to go!

[Miss Marple]

Miss Marple: In post #30 you included "We had originally planned to go to Turkey, but nixed that when the government took over the newspaper (felt it was unsafe)"  The reason for the extreme lack of safety in Turkey at this time has *nothing* to do with the takeover of a newspaper. The reason is the recent Suicide bombings, which have killed and maimed many innocent people, in Ankara and in Istanbul.   The information you have about Western Europe is also correct.  In those places, there is a much higher risk of Muslim Terrorist attacks.   The risk of one actually being in the "Wrong Place at the Wrong Time" is very small, but the risk is real.  My family understands that there is more risk for us, when we are at Tourist attractions in Florida, for example, and in the Airport in Florida, than the risks we normally have here in Colombia. That is a risk we will take.  There have been Terrorist attacks in Japan, but I believe they have nothing to do with Muslim Terrorists. I read something, several months ago, which said that Japan is extremely restrictive with regard to Muslims. If that is true, then you have very little risk of Muslim Terrorists in Japan.   Regarding the Travel Agency you are using, I would again suggest that you consider using a company that specializes in travel to Japan, especially if your trip within Japan involves travel to several cities, and flights or train travel within Japan.  Back to Turkey: The son of one of my cousins and his family lived in Ankara for several years (approximately 2010 as I recall).  Early in 2015, he had to go back to Ankara for 2 or 3 weeks. After his trip, he told his Mother, "I NEVER WANT TO GO BACK THERE AGAIN!" .    Work on your travel plans.  Spend at least one week, planning for each day that you will be in Japan and have a safe trip!   My cousin and his wife had been to Turkey, several times, to visit them, when they lived in Ankara.

I truly hope that Turkey settles down sometime within my travel-lifetime.  It's a place I've always wanted to see.  We were aware of the extremist Muslim problem, but it seemed to also have some civil unrest (due to the newspaper issue) with the potential to be explosive.  Knowing that other countries recommended that their citizens not travel there left me feeling we ought not as well.

 

I'm pretty comfortable putting together international trips for the family.  I've organized 5 or 6 in the past 10 years.  My "go to" site is TripAdvisor's forums.  They are very helpful - from hotel advice to suggestions for full itineraries.  We travel light - usually just carry-ons and/or backpacks.  Right now I'm waiting to see if dh's brother and sil will be going with us.  That will make a bit of a difference in our mode of transportation within the country.  And, I think, Tokyo has Uber :)  My sons have become quite the Uber experts.  I think we will be doing a lot of train travel and, for one area, some on a bus.  

 

Thanks, everyone, for the advice.

[Lanny]

Newspaper unrest? That may be an extremely *tiny* part of what is going on, but my impression is that it has to do with the Kurds and with Muslim Terrorists..    You are smart to rely on TripAdvisor and their Reviews. My favorite Singer/Band, the first time they were in Japan (they did concerts in several cities) rode on one of the Bullet Trains. Awesome.  They were also there during a very major Earthquake, so if you are not from Earthquake Country, please read up on what to do (or not do) if you are in an Earthquake.   Sounds great.  If you are going to be in one place for 7 nights or more, I wonder if they have Timeshares there?

[waa510]

This is typically talking about free condoms and lube in with the free stuff on the sink. Also, interesting settings on the shower nozzle (not a biggie if you can't read the kana or kanji), maybe dildos. The name sounds love hotel-ish. I can look around and see if it is one.

 

 

OK, Reading the Japanese on a couple websites..it reads that it's "adults only" and mentions the phrase love hotel in Japanese and that they have s3x toys in a vending machine, "outfits" you can buy in the room, we can "cover the numbers on your license plate" and call girls options. It also has the typical front desk situation of privacy shade/screen and hidden, very secluded entrance in the pictures. 

 

My advice: This is a love hotel. Sounds like a particularly..interesting...one too from the description. You know when Japanese are leaving these details in the reviews that it's a good time. ;)

[zoobie]

As a mom of three kids under the age of 5, and a husband I only see in passing and then we are being mobbed with children, I think the idea of a love hotel sounds great.

Different kid ages, but yep.

[Ottakee]

As a mom of three kids under the age of 5, and a husband I only see in passing and then we are being mobbed with children, I think the idea of a love hotel sounds great.

As the mom of 5 teens I thinking it sounds pretty good too.....just not the hourly version :-)

[Elfknitter.#]

Am I the only one who clicked on the OP's link and read: "This stylish adults-only property offers free parking, a complimentary breakfast and a 24-hour front desk with luggage storage."

[Miss Marple]

Am I the only one who clicked on the OP's link and read: "This stylish adults-only property offers free parking, a complimentary breakfast and a 24-hour front desk with luggage storage."

Oh, we noticed the "adults only", but that has so many meanings.  For example, I often have a Christmas party for adults only. Many "bed and breakfast" type lodgings are for adults only. Some church functions we attend are for adults only, and the children we will be taking with us are adults, too.  It was the "erotic" part that made me wonder ...nude art?  mirrored ceilings? Box of "goodies" tucked away somewhere?  Just what did that mean?  FWIW, we stayed at a chocolate/bamboo farm in Kauai when the boys were young.  It was an interesting place...nude sculptures and other nude/erotic art dominated the decor.  The library was full of homo/hetero erotic books.  It would have been nice to know, in advance, what to expect lol.

[YaelAldrich]

Love Hotels in Japan are not only used by people having an affair.  Many families are intergenerational and living in a small house with thin walls; so the only way to get some private time is to take a couple of hours in a love hotel.  I've only been in the lobby area, but you can easily find most love hotels.  They are themed inside and out.  Castles, wacky colors, boats - take a look on Google images.

[LucyStoner]

It makes me think:

 

Thanks, but I'll bring my own.