I stayed here over a weekend and a Monday. The area is fantastic to walk around and to experience a part of Tokyo that hasn't changed much in decades. Free of high end shops and full of wholesale restaurant suppliers, it is a down to earth look at a charmed area of Tokyo where locals flock to experience old world Japan.

The rooms are getting a little tired. That stripey 1970s theme is starting to look old, not retro,

Decent sized rooms for where it is. But the lighting in them isn't good, the beds aren't too comfy and the provided amenities (toiletries, tea making) are pretty spartan.

Somewhat jetlagged on the first night of our trip a few more comforts would have been much appreciated,

The beautiful art deco style interior of the Asakusa View Hotel is something I have always wanted to experience. I have visited their bar (which offers a stunning view of the city) on several occasions and often wondered how spectacular the view from the rooms would be. I was fortunate enough to capture a very reduced rate on Agoda.com in order that I could finally put my curiosity to rest. $US 175 for the Executive Double Room (including breakfast).

The check-in staff greeted my partner and I warmly and we were shown our room. As has been mentioned by others, the hotel is very aptly named. However, if you are staying on the side of the hotel that faces west you may want to request a view of the Sumida River and the Tokyo Skytree. It appears there is an even taller building in progress to the west of the hotel which (eventually) will diminish the experience. However, that it hardly the fault of the hotel but merely an observation.

The bed was very comfortable and the shower/bathroom of the size consistent with Western hotels. Space being at an obvious premium in Tokyo the bathrooms can be positively claustrophobic but here is not the case.

The only thing which soured my experience was the buffet breakfast. It is served between 7AM and 10AM. We met a Japanese friend in the lobby and together entered the dining room at 9AM. Other than the percolated coffee, everything that was supposed to be hot was stone cold. Initially I had hoped I had picked up the sole two fried eggs that were cold and this was potentially embarrassing for my Japanese friend who had paid 2,000 yen separately at his own behest. My partner and friend also received cold fried eggs, and bacon and everything else. Had we entered the dining room at 9:50AM the cold food would have been excusable.

In the defense of the hotel, our stay was approximately two weeks after the tsunami tragedy that stuck Northern Japan in March 2011 and we noticed the city was (at the time) experiencing rolling blackouts. This coupled with the overall sorrow the country was witnessing in the aftermath may have contributed to this, my sole criticism of the hotel. Had it been a normal day in Japan perhaps I would have mentioned the cold food to somebody and the fact that I didn't means I am partly to blame. I was, however, aware of the mood of people and did not wish to upset anybody considering what had just happened to these unfortunate people.

In conclusion, I understand that occasionally these things happen and it certainly would not deter me from staying there again should I be fortunate enough to receive such a substantial discount. The hotel is less than 2 minutes to the Tsukuba Express which can take you to Akihabara on the Yamanote Line. It is also conveniently located next door to the Life Supermarket which also has a small department store section on it's upper floors. The staff are ultra polite (as indeed are almost all Japanese people) ; the standard of English generally high and the service excellent. Asakusa has a myriad of restaurants, cafes and bars all of which are minutes away. I'm not sorry to have stayed here!

A decent 4* hotel in Asakusa Tokyo with excellent views of Tokyo and Fuji if u r lucky and skies are clear. Metro in 7 min walking. Clean and comfortable with good breakfast .