Mitsui Garden Hotels vs Daiwa Roynet vs Richmond Hotel: Which Is Best in Japan?

Last fact-checked: August 27, 2026. Hotel facilities, room sizes, breakfast, public baths, child policies, prices, membership benefits, and check-in procedures vary by property and booking plan. Confirm the exact hotel page before reserving.

Quick answer: Choose Mitsui Garden Hotels when design, atmosphere, breakfast, or a public bath at a participating property matters to you. Choose Daiwa Roynet Hotels when you want a practical room, a useful desk, and convenient city access. Choose Richmond Hotels when you want a balanced, comfortable stay with well-equipped rooms for sightseeing, business, or a longer visit.

All three can feel like a step up from Japan’s most compact no-frills business hotels, but none is automatically best—or automatically more spacious. The winner depends on the city, branch, room category, date, and what you actually intend to do inside the hotel.

This article compares current official information from the three hotel groups and adds my perspective from working in lodging management in Tokyo. It does not pretend that every property is identical or that one brand name can replace checking the room measurements. Sadly, logos still cannot open your suitcase for you.

Mitsui Garden vs Daiwa Roynet vs Richmond: Quick Comparison

Hotel chain	Best for	Typical strengths	Check carefully
Mitsui Garden Hotels	Leisure travelers who value atmosphere	Distinctive local design, appealing breakfast concepts, comfortable common areas, and large public baths at selected properties	Whether the exact hotel has a bath, room floor area, breakfast price, station access, and differences between standard and PREMIER properties
Daiwa Roynet Hotels	Travelers wanting practical city accommodation	Functional rooms, useful work areas at many properties, convenient urban locations, and property-specific restaurants and services	Room category, bathroom layout, breakfast venue, luggage policy, and differences among Daiwa Roynet, PREMIER, and DEL style hotels
Richmond Hotels	Travelers wanting a balanced all-round stay	Convenient locations, well-equipped guest rooms, options for sightseeing and business, and property-specific local breakfast offerings	Room size, number of beds, breakfast inclusion, family occupancy, laundry, parking, and differences among standard, Premier, and affiliated hotels

My shortest version: Mitsui Garden is the experience-first choice, Daiwa Roynet is the practicality-first choice, and Richmond is the balance-first choice. But an excellent twin room at the right Daiwa Roynet can suit you better than the smallest room at your favorite Mitsui Garden—and the reverse is equally possible.

Are These Really “Mid-Range” Hotels?

“Mid-range” is a useful travel-planning label, not an official Japanese hotel classification. Japan does not have one nationwide star-ranking system that makes every three-star or four-star listing directly comparable.

Rates can move sharply with location, weekends, holidays, concerts, cherry-blossom season, autumn foliage, and how early you book. A standard room from one of these chains may sometimes cost less than a compact business hotel nearby. A PREMIER property on a busy Tokyo weekend may cost considerably more.

Compare the final price for the same:

• Dates and number of guests
• Room type and bed arrangement
• Breakfast inclusion
• Cancellation conditions
• Taxes and fees
• Payment timing

If your priority is a simpler, more compact business-hotel stay, first read our APA Hotel vs Toyoko Inn vs Dormy Inn comparison.

Mitsui Garden Hotels: Best for Design and a More Memorable Stay

Mitsui Garden Hotels promotes five parts of its experience on its official website: breakfast, large Japanese-style baths, comfortable rooms with local character, views, and art and design. These are themes across the brand, not promises that every hotel has every feature.

The chain often makes the property feel connected to its location. A hotel in Ginza, Kyoto, Kanazawa, or Fukuoka may use different artwork, materials, food, and atmosphere rather than repeating one identical design nationwide.

Why you may choose Mitsui Garden Hotels

• You want the hotel to feel like part of the trip rather than only a room.
• You appreciate thoughtful interior design and comfortable public spaces.
• You want to search specifically for a property with a large public bath.
• Breakfast quality or regional dishes matter to you.
• You are planning a couple’s stay or a slower city break.

The important public-bath warning

Not every Mitsui Garden Hotel has a large public bath. The chain maintains an official list of properties with baths, and each hotel page gives its own opening hours, rules, and equipment.

For example, Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza-gochome currently lists a guest-only large bath with morning and evening hours. That does not mean that a different Mitsui Garden property has the same facility. Some hotels instead emphasize views, a gym, restaurant, or in-room bathroom.

Also verify whether the bath uses natural hot-spring water. A large Japanese-style bath can be relaxing without legally or technically being an onsen.

What to check before booking Mitsui Garden

• Room area and exact bed dimensions
• Standard or PREMIER property and what that means at this location
• Public-bath availability, hours, tattoo policy, and child rules
• Breakfast venue, menu style, price, and serving hours
• Station exit and real walking route
• Room view, if you are paying extra for it
• Laundry, fitness facilities, luggage storage, and accessibility

Best fit: Couples, leisure travelers, design-conscious guests, and visitors who will genuinely use the bath or hotel common areas.

Less ideal: Travelers who only need the lowest possible rate and will leave early, return late, and use none of the additional facilities.

Daiwa Roynet Hotels: Best for Practical Rooms and City Access

Daiwa Roynet Hotels are commonly positioned for both business and sightseeing. Individual properties frequently highlight transport access, work-friendly room layouts, laundry, microwave access, luggage services, and breakfast restaurants.

The main strength is practical usability. If you need to work for an hour, organize travel documents, charge several devices, or simply place something on a desk without first moving half the room, a well-selected Daiwa Roynet room can be a strong choice.

However, do not turn that general impression into a chain-wide guarantee. Some rooms are compact; others are more generous. Bathrooms, desks, beds, and facilities vary substantially by property and category.

Why you may choose Daiwa Roynet

• You value a functional guest room more than a dramatic lobby.
• You need a real desk or practical surface space.
• You want a city hotel close to transport and restaurants.
• You are staying several nights and need laundry or other everyday facilities.
• You prefer comparing several room categories within one property.

Understand the different names

You may see Daiwa Roynet Hotel, Daiwa Roynet Hotel PREMIER, and DEL style by Daiwa Roynet Hotel. Do not assume the extra word always produces one standardized list of upgrades. Open the exact hotel page and compare its rooms and services directly.

Property differences can be significant. One hotel may serve a Japanese and Western buffet inside the building. Another may provide a breakfast set at a nearby café. One may have a large bath; another may not. One may store luggage only for a specific period.

What to check before booking Daiwa Roynet

• Room floor area, desk size, and chair placement
• Whether the bathroom is a compact unit bath or has separated areas
• Breakfast location, format, hours, and additional charge
• Coin-laundry location and payment method
• Luggage storage before check-in and after check-out
• Station access, including underground-passage opening hours
• Parking limits if you are driving

Best fit: Solo travelers, business travelers, longer city stays, and visitors who want a room that works efficiently for everyday tasks.

Less ideal: Travelers choosing mainly for a resort atmosphere, extensive hotel entertainment, or a guaranteed chain-wide public bath.

Richmond Hotels: Best for Balanced Comfort

Richmond Hotels describes its group as offering convenient locations for sightseeing and business, together with guest-room equipment intended to keep longer stays comfortable. That balanced positioning is the chain’s strongest comparison point.

Richmond can work for a traveler who wants something more comfortable than the smallest budget business hotel but does not necessarily need a bath-centered or design-centered experience. Selected properties also have larger rooms, multiple-bed configurations, local breakfast dishes, lounges, or other distinctive features.

Again, “selected” is doing important work in that sentence. Richmond Hotel, Richmond Hotel Premier, Keisei Richmond Hotel, and affiliated properties are not one perfectly identical product.

Why you may choose Richmond Hotels

• You want a dependable balance of room comfort and location.
• You are traveling for sightseeing but still value practical room equipment.
• You want to compare double, twin, triple, or property-specific room options.
• A local or more substantial breakfast interests you.
• You are staying several nights and want a comfortable base.

What to check before booking Richmond

• Exact operator and property—not only the Richmond name
• Standard or Premier hotel and the actual differences
• Number of fixed beds and maximum permitted occupancy
• Breakfast menu, price, and whether it is included
• Laundry, lounge, microwave, and luggage facilities
• Child-sharing rules and children’s breakfast charges
• Renovation notices or temporary service changes

Best fit: Couples, solo travelers, sightseeing trips, mixed business-and-leisure stays, and travelers who want an all-round city-hotel base.

Less ideal: Travelers expecting every property to offer the same large rooms, family facilities, breakfast, or premium features.

Which Chain Is Best by Traveler Type?

Traveler type	First chain to check	Why
Couple wanting a stylish city break	Mitsui Garden Hotels	Design, local character, views, and selected public baths can make the stay feel more special.
Traveler who needs a useful desk	Daiwa Roynet Hotels	Practical room layouts are often a major selling point, but verify the room photographs and dimensions.
Traveler wanting an all-round comfortable base	Richmond Hotels	The balance of room equipment, location, and property-specific services can suit mixed sightseeing needs.
Bath lover	Mitsui Garden Hotels	Search its official large-bath hotel list, then confirm the exact bath type and rules.
Two travelers with large suitcases	Compare exact twin rooms	Floor area and layout matter more than the chain name.
Family or group of three	Compare property-specific rooms	Look for three fixed sleeping places or clearly described extra beds; never assume from maximum occupancy.
Longer stay	Daiwa Roynet or Richmond	Prioritize laundry, storage, desk space, bathroom layout, and transport rather than branding.

Room Size: Compare the Exact Category

These chains may offer more comfortable options than very compact business hotels, but there is no universal room-size winner. A standard double, moderate double, superior twin, and premier twin can differ enormously—even inside the same building.

Check:

1. Floor area in square meters or square feet
2. Bed width and length
3. Number of fixed beds
4. Space around the bed
5. Bathroom arrangement
6. Desk or table placement
7. Whether luggage can open without blocking the walkway

Our Japanese hotel room-types guide explains the difference between semi-double, double, twin, Hollywood twin, triple, and Japanese-Western rooms.

If you have two full-size suitcases, a slightly more expensive twin room may provide much better value than the cheapest double. If you are changing cities, our Japan luggage-forwarding guide can help you travel with a smaller overnight bag.

Breakfast: Property Beats Brand

Mitsui Garden actively promotes “a breakfast to look forward to,” often connecting food with the local area. Richmond properties may also emphasize regional dishes, while Daiwa Roynet breakfasts vary widely because different restaurants or nearby cafés may provide the service.

Do not rank the chains from one photograph. Instead, compare the exact property:

• Buffet, set menu, or café voucher
• Japanese, Western, or mixed selection
• Local dishes
• Opening and last-entry times
• Advance and same-day prices
• Children’s charges
• Allergy and dietary information

Breakfast may be wonderful and still be poor value for you if you leave at 6:00 a.m. or plan to spend every morning exploring local cafés. The best hotel breakfast is the one you are awake early enough to eat.

Public Baths: Mitsui Garden Has the Clearest Advantage

Among these three chains, Mitsui Garden provides the easiest brand-level route for travelers specifically searching for a large public bath. Its official site lists the participating hotels.

That still does not make the facility universal. Some Daiwa Roynet or Richmond-related properties may have baths, while many do not. Search the exact hotel facilities rather than assuming from the chain.

Check bath hours, tattoo policy, towel instructions, mixed-bathing age limits for children, accessibility, maintenance notices, and whether the water is natural onsen water.

If the accommodation experience itself is your priority, you may prefer a traditional inn. Compare the differences in our ryokan vs hotel guide.

Location: Check the Exact Station Exit

All three groups operate properties in useful city locations, but a chain-wide statement such as “near the station” is not enough for your booking.

Large Japanese stations can have multiple railway companies, underground passages, distant exits, stairs, and closing times. A hotel described as four minutes from Kyoto Station may be wonderfully convenient from one exit and less convenient when you arrive on a different line carrying luggage.

Use a map to check:

• Your arrival line and platform
• The recommended station exit
• Elevators and step-free routes
• Underground-passage hours
• The route in rain
• Your first sightseeing destination the next morning

A beautiful lobby cannot return the forty minutes you lose crossing Tokyo every day. Location remains part of room value.

Families and Groups Need a Room-Level Comparison

None of these three chains should be declared universally “best for families.” Some properties have triple rooms, sofa beds, connecting arrangements, children’s amenities, or larger leisure-oriented rooms. Others mainly serve one or two guests.

Enter the correct number and ages of children before searching. Then verify:

• How many guests receive fixed beds
• Whether bed sharing is permitted and for which ages
• Children’s breakfast charges
• Crib or bed-guard availability
• Bathroom suitability
• Luggage and stroller space

“Sleeps three” may mean two beds plus one sofa bed. Maximum occupancy is not the same as three equal beds.

Booking Direct vs an Online Travel Agency

Check both the official hotel website and your preferred online travel agency. Direct booking may offer a member rate, points, pre-arrival procedures, or different packages. An online travel agency may make a multi-city itinerary easier to manage.

Compare the final conditions rather than only the headline rate:

• Total price for all guests
• Breakfast and benefits included
• Prepayment or payment at the hotel
• Cancellation deadline in Japan Standard Time
• Room and bed type
• Smoking or non-smoking status
• Official hotel name and address

After booking, save the confirmation and tell the hotel if your arrival will be late. Our Japan hotel check-in guide covers passport rules, payment, luggage storage, and late arrival.

A Note From Sho: Comfort Is About Friction

I work as a manager at a lodging facility in Tokyo, where I assist overseas guests with reservations, luggage, transportation, check-in, and unexpected problems.

From that perspective, a comfortable hotel is not simply the one with the fanciest lobby. It is the hotel that removes friction from your trip.

• A useful desk removes the problem of having nowhere to organize your things.
• A public bath removes some of the physical fatigue from a long sightseeing day.
• A good location removes repeated travel time.
• A suitable twin room removes the nightly debate about whose suitcase blocks the door.

Choose Mitsui Garden if the atmosphere and hotel experience add real value. Choose Daiwa Roynet if room usability is the priority. Choose Richmond if you want a balanced base. Then check the exact property, because a chain is a starting point—not a substitute for reading.

Common Booking Mistakes

• Assuming all branches have the same facilities: Baths, gyms, lounges, laundry, and restaurants vary.
• Assuming PREMIER always means one fixed upgrade: Compare the actual room and property.
• Ignoring room measurements: “Superior” is a name, not a universal floor area.
• Choosing a breakfast photo instead of a breakfast plan: Confirm that your rate includes it.
• Confusing one bed with two: A double room usually has one bed; a twin usually has two.
• Booking the wrong branch: Similar property names can appear in the same city.
• Paying for features you will not use: A bath or lounge adds no value if your schedule keeps you away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheapest: Mitsui Garden, Daiwa Roynet, or Richmond?

There is no permanent cheapest chain. Prices change by property, date, occupancy, demand, and plan. Compare the same dates, room type, breakfast, taxes, and cancellation terms.

Which chain has the largest rooms?

No chain wins every property or category. Compare the exact floor area, bed arrangement, and layout available for your dates.

Do all Mitsui Garden Hotels have public baths?

No. Selected properties have large public baths. Use the official bath list and confirm the individual hotel page.

Is Daiwa Roynet good for working from the room?

Many travelers consider its practical desks and room layouts when booking, but the setup varies. Check room photographs, desk dimensions where available, chair type, Wi-Fi information, and outlet placement.

Is Richmond Hotel good for families?

Some properties offer suitable multi-person rooms or family-oriented services, but family suitability is not universal. Enter the correct child ages and confirm bed-sharing, bed count, breakfast charges, and room area.

Which chain is best for couples?

Mitsui Garden is a strong first choice when design, views, dining, or a public bath makes the stay more memorable. Richmond can provide a balanced alternative, while a larger Daiwa Roynet room may offer better practical comfort. Compare the exact property.

Which chain is best for a first trip to Japan?

Choose the hotel with the clearest transport route and the right room. Mitsui Garden suits experience-focused travelers, Daiwa Roynet suits practicality-focused travelers, and Richmond suits travelers wanting balance.

Final Verdict

Choose Mitsui Garden Hotels when design, atmosphere, breakfast, views, or a public bath at a selected property will improve your trip.

Choose Daiwa Roynet Hotels when you want a practical room, useful workspace, city access, and everyday convenience.

Choose Richmond Hotels when you want balanced comfort for sightseeing, business, or a longer city stay.

Then compare the exact room—not just the chain. The most important details are location, floor area, bed arrangement, bathroom, luggage space, breakfast, total price, and cancellation policy. The best Japanese hotel chain is whichever one solves your real travel needs at the property you are actually booking.

Official and Primary Sources

• Japan National Tourism Organization: Accommodation in Japan
• Mitsui Garden Hotels: Official English Website
• Mitsui Garden Hotels: Large Public Bath Hotel List
• Daiwa Roynet Hotels: Official English Website
• Richmond Hotels Group: Official Website
• Richmond Hotels Group: Official English-Language Site