Four Points Flex by Sheraton
 

These are starting to show availability for mid-November onwards. Prices look like ¥13,000-¥20,000, which puts them in a similar ballpark to Fairfields, the difference being Flex are in the center of cities.

These were all part of a Japanese business hotel chain until recently so they are small rooms (13sqm). No free breakfast for Platinum etc. and only 1 elite night credit per 2 night stay makes it unlikely I will stay at one. Better off with a Japanese business hotel.

It does not sound very competitive. Pricing looks kind of high considering the room size and lack of perks. For the same price, I can stay at a Fairfield Inn with a larger room size of 25 sqm at 11,500 yen/night on some weekdays with Platinum perks except for free breakfast. And of course, Japanese competitors are even cheaper. BTW, not all Fairfield Inns are outside of towns and cities, though it appears that many if not most are. The Fairfield Inn in Saga Ureshino-Onsen in Kyushu is right next to the Shinkansen Station, and I believe some others are centrally located too, but not in large cities.

Agreed.

That looks like quite a low density neighborhood.... But yes, it's not in the pattern of Fairfields that are located next to Michi no Eki with no easy access by train.

For context, I’ve been booking rooms in Osaka city centre at IHG’s new brand, Garner Hotels, which are due to open in February.

Rooms are also about 13m2 and have been between around ¥8,000 and ¥14,000 depending on dates and flexibility.

There’s an extra person charge for around ¥1,000 which I see as more than reasonable.

I suspect the Japanese Flex are not 'participating' but I guess we'll find out once someone actually stays.For the Kyoto Oike:

The breakfast menu includes four different set meals, with a choice of Japanese or Western food. Breakfast is served from 7:00 AM to cater to guests leaving early.*This is a tenant restaurant and is not eligible for Marriott Bonvoy member benefits.


From Marriott site:
...at all participating Four Points Flex by Sheraton Properties.

The ones in Denmark only offers breakfast buffet and they don't mention that they have a restaurant so I guess they can also get away with either not participating or that they don't have a restaurant.

At Scandic hotels everyone gets free breakfast so why stay at the FP flex?

With an elite qualifying night earn rate of 1/2 a night, this is literally the Japanese equivalent of City Express or Protea Hotels... Cue the JAPAN HAS FALLEN memeWhat was the chain?

I think it might have been Unizo Inn

Booking confirmation states:

• For elite welcome gift, we offer points only. Earn 5 points per USD1, 1 Elite Night Credit per 2 qualifying nights per stay. No upgrades available.

However Marriott website indicates Flex guarantee breakfast for amenity. https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/mem...s/guarantee.mi

Has anyone stayed in the Flex Nagoya and can report on breakfast amenity availability? Or any personal review of hotel? I am Titanium.

The Fairfield at Ureshino Onsen Station is outside of town. It is definitely not centrally located. The front desk is less than a two-minute walk. From the hotel back door, it is a 30-second walk to the station. I used taxis to get to dinner and to the Siebold bath. Google says it is a 28-min walk from the hotel to the Siebold foot bath in town.

With the senior rate my room was a good value. My room was comfortable, good bed. Good location if you want a location to make day trips to Nagasaki and Takeo and Saga but not good for Ureshino O.

When you book, it gives a breakfast rate and no breakfast rate. What's more, it says several times the only thing you will get is bonus points at check in. I understand most of these have a small restaurant in the property, how does it work with status?

Pretty sure elite status means nothing. The on-site restaurant is supposedly run by another company, which allows them to deny you the free breakfast. Fairfields in Japan also don't give elites free breakfast either.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cdd30feb2f.png
Fairfield

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...427c6bc59d.png
Flex Osaka Shinsaibashi

I stayed at the Fukuoka Hakata location, and finally experienced the smallest room in a Marriott-chain property ever. I understand that this is the Japanese business hotel market they're in, and personally I categorically do not like any of the Japanese business hotel chains or those properties in general. The feeling you get in the room compared to the typical Japanese business hotel is they've gone for something different like having a more comfortable bed with many pillows and a cushion (which looks and feels nice), a less-cramped bathtub that is egg-shaped, there are multiple(!) towels provided and they're not paper-thin like the competition, and of course the TV plays Marriott promotional material when you enter the room. Meanwhile, it's still a Japanese business hotel in that sense that AC shuts off when you leave the room with key, the fridge has to be turned on (off by default), and you must collect amenities you want/need in the lobby yourself, etc. You really get the sense that Marriott tried to adapt Unizo Inn in a way that works for both parties. That said, the Unizo Inns are relatively new, but not brand spanking new like some you can get in the price range depending on location (YMMV) and it shows.

This video perfectly encapsulates the feeling of my stay as well:
Maybe I've gotten fatter over the years, but the most striking thing for me as well was how tight the chair and desk was with the bed. I suspect this is a result of trying to make some other part of the room feel a little more spacious. I won't speak to prices because obviously that's dynamic, but in my mind the appeal of the Four Points Flex is only if you're a suffering Japanese employee with a per diem that has a low maximum but you want to keep the loyalty dream alive (yes, I felt better when the TV played the Marriott APEC advertisement when I walked into the room). The only nice thing they did for status was 4PM late checkout (which apparently costs ¥1100/hr at this property if not provided for free). I do understand Japanese Fairfield's not doing their own breakfast because the shtick is they're next door to a Michi-no-Eki and you're suppose to go experience something local, but at the Four Points Flex it feels like they're going by letter of their application of the T&Cs for breakfast, not the spirit of it. The restaurant is very cute though.

As per Elite Benefit Guarantees:500 points per stay or breakfast in restaurant per night of stay for Member +1***
***If property (i) does not have a restaurant, (ii) the restaurant is closed, or (iii) the restaurant is operated by a third party, Member will receive 500 Points per Stay.