HOTEL Mai Sakura
7,2/10 Very good - Based on 743 reviews
HOTEL Mai Sakura is an adult-only property designed for leisure stays and short breaks, located about a six-minute walk from JR Nara Station. Operating as a modern love hotel in Nara, it blends private guest rooms with on-site entertainment areas to suit couples and visitors seeking a compact base for exploring nearby cultural sites such as Nara Park and its temples. The building presents a contemporary interior, and its public spaces emphasize casual comfort rather than formal hotel service.
Rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with flat-screen TVs, electric kettles and en-suite bathrooms with bath or shower; standard amenities include slippers and complimentary Wi‑Fi. The property offers private on-site parking and a 24-hour front desk; standard check-in is from early evening with morning check-out times. Guests should note the property’s adult-only policies and that certain booking types and operational rules apply to multi-night stays. Staff provide in-room dining and basic housekeeping services.
Public facilities aim to extend the stay experience: a small bookshop and tatami lounge area sit alongside a comic corner, karaoke and a game zone, while vending and drink-bar options and a generous room-service menu are regularly available. Cosplay and themed-room amenities are promoted as part of the leisure offer, making the hotel useful both as a short-stay love hotel in Nara Prefecture and as a convenient, entertainment-focused option for visitors wanting close access to the city’s main sights.
Highlights of this Love hotel
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: HOTEL Mai Sakura
Positive Reviews
Convenient location near JR Nara station
Multiple guests highlighted the hotel’s close walking distance to JR Nara station and a good location for visiting Nara, which made it practical for short stays and sightseeing.
Well‑equipped rooms and freebies
Guests praised the many in‑room amenities and communal facilities — large baths/jacuzzi in some rooms, hair straighteners and toiletries, free drinks (including alcohol), karaoke, ping‑pong and arcade games — providing good entertainment and convenience.
Spacious, comfortable rooms and beds
Several reviews mentioned large rooms, roomy bathrooms and very comfortable, large beds, contributing to a relaxed stay for couples or groups.
Friendly, helpful staff and services
Reviewers noted attentive and pleasant staff, including free luggage storage until late check‑in and responsiveness when asked to change rooms.
Good value for money
Many guests considered the hotel excellent value — well equipped and comparable to higher‑priced options in the area, with breakfast or room service included in some stays.
Negative Reviews
Strong cigarette smell / smoking rooms
A recurring issue: many guests reported a strong tobacco odor in corridors and rooms (all rooms being smoking), which some found unpleasant despite available air‑fresheners or prior notice.
Love‑hotel (adult‑only) nature not always expected
Several guests were surprised to find this is a ‘love hotel’/adult‑oriented property; reviewers suggested the listing should make this clearer because it may not suit families or those expecting a conventional hotel.
Day‑use policy for multi‑night stays
Guests staying multiple nights reported they were required to vacate rooms around 11:00 and re‑check in later (around 17:00) because rooms are re‑used during the day, which can be inconvenient.
Occasional cleanliness and room‑condition problems
While some stays were described as very clean, others reported substandard cleanliness — dust, sticky floors, mold or damp on vents and window frames — and at least one guest said their room differed significantly from online photos.
Noise and late‑night corridor music
A few reviewers mentioned noise issues, including loud music in corridors and general nighttime disturbance, which affected sleep for some guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is an adults-only love hotel with private rooms and on-site private parking, and the reception is staffed 24 hours.
Check-in is from 17:00 to 00:00 and check-out is until 11:00.
Yes. Guests are asked to inform the property of expected arrival time in advance; the hotel notes arrivals should be communicated when booking.
Yes. The property lists a 24-hour reception.
No. Guests staying more than one night are required to vacate the room each day.
Yes. The hotel offers free private parking on site.
Sound insulation can vary by room; if you are sensitive to noise, request a quieter or higher-floor room when booking.
Rooms include free Wi‑Fi, a television, a kettle, and a private bathroom with slippers and basic toiletries; some room types offer additional features.
The property is for adults only (minimum age 18) and pets are not permitted.
Some rooms permit smoking while others are non-smoking; request a non-smoking room when you book if required.