Spa Hotel Alpina Hida Takayama

This is the best value hotel I've ever stayed at. It's less than a 10-minute walk from the JR station – just turn right, walk straight, cross the street at the traffic light, and keep going straight. The front desk staff were incredibly warm and polite; check-in was super quick. They even bowed at the elevator until the doors closed. The room was a bit more spacious than typical single rooms and well-equipped. There was a wardrobe and pajamas, which you could use for hot springs. The room was very clean, and toiletries like toothbrushes could be picked up in the lobby, where you could also choose your preferred pillow. The room had a humidifier, but make sure to read the instructions on the wall before using it. The room was actually warm enough even without the heater on; I turned it on the first night and woke up feeling too hot, so I didn't use it on subsequent nights. Breakfast was surprisingly varied and delicious. When I checked out in the morning, the staff who helped store my luggage were also polite and enthusiastic. Throughout my stay, staff members greeted me kindly every time I entered or left the lobby. Plus, it's very close to Takayama Jinya Morning Market and the Old Town, and only about a 30-minute walk to Hida Folk Village. If you're visiting in winter, I highly recommend this place – Shirakawa-go (Gassho-zukuri village) in the snow is absolutely beautiful. All in all, this is the most cost-effective hotel I've ever experienced.