I really have no idea how useful this will be, considering tourists hardly go to the Makuhari area unless they’re going to the convention centre or on a business trip, but I really did like Hotel Francs, so I have to talk about it. It is about a 5-10 minute walk from Makuhari Messe, which is a exhibition, convention centre where they also hold concerts, which was what I was in the area for. Seems that they’re holding the Tokyo leg of Summer Sonic 2015 at Makuhari Messe too, so consider Hotel Francs if you need to be in the area.

I got the Executive Room purely because it was the only option left, there are cheaper options, but I really don’t regret the money spent on the room at all. It is a very charming place, not the newest, but charming nonetheless. The room was amazing, totally for ladies, because it has wall paper with floral prints, the curtains have flower petals sewn on to it and everything was in shades of dusky pink (I think there are rooms with other decor as well, because I recall reading about a blue room, so no worries for the men). Yes, it’s totally sexist, but the room’s so pretty, I don’t really care.

For their welcome gesture, there was a rose placed on the bed and fruits on the table, how sweet is that? For a room in Japan, the Executive Room was really spacious, a queen-sized bed, a table with 2 chairs, 2 bedside tables, a fridge area, a wardrobe, and a bathroom with a full-sized tub. I even had space to chill in front of the bed with my luggage open. That’s big.

The view from the room is amazing, it overlooks the ocean and even though the first couple of days were a little cloudy, it was still nice to look out and see the ocean. The staff were really friendly and even though they may not speak the best English, they really did try to help me the best they could.

Food-wise, the hotel does have a restaurant and a bar, but I never did get the opportunity to try it out, although they were running an offer for free-flow alcohol for 1000 yen for hotel guests, bargain. Otherwise, food can be found 5 minutes away behind the hotel or at AION, which is about a 10-15-minute walk away, next to Makuhari Messe. If shopping is what you want to do, there’s an outlet mall just behind the hotel.

The Kaihinmakuhari Station is less than 10 minutes from the hotel so it’s very convenient. If you’re coming from Narita Airport, take the Keisei Limousine Bus and it’ll drop you at Hotel Francs. Tickets for the bus can be bought at the Keisei counter at the arrival hall. Just let the staff know that you’re going to Hotel Francs and they’ll make sure you are dropped off at the correct place.

I really did enjoy my 3-night stay there and the only cons I can think of is that the water can be hotter, by the time I filled the tub, the water was only warm. Also, more English channels! Even BBC world had long portions where it was dubbed over.  They also have a very strict late check-out policy and I had to pay an extra 3000 yen for a 2-hour extension. Other than that, I really couldn’t ask for a better hotel stay.

Hotel Francs
2-10-2 Hibino, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 261-0021
Tel: 043-296-2111, Fax: 043-296-2120