A simple, blue and gray structure that looks more like a condo building than a hotel, the Hotel Mystays Asakusa goes for a residential vibe both inside and out. Inside, the small lobby is clean and modern with gray tiles, cream walls, and steel elevators, but it features little more than a front desk, a shelf of pamphlets, and a dresser drawer containing extra toiletries. Without a comfortable seating area for mingling or any decor outside of the bare minimum, the slightly impersonal space clearly places functionality above frills. Visitors on budgets and business travelers on long-term trips are the least bothered by the lack of atmosphere or features here. 

On a quiet street near the wholesale businesses of Asakusa-bashi, the hotel isn’t within walking distance to Tokyo’s main tourist attractions, but three train stations close by make the hotel relatively accessible to the city center. Asakusa-bashi JR Station is a one-minute walk away, Bakurocho Station is a seven-minute walk away, and the Asakusa-bashi Station on a separate subway line is five minutes away on foot. Public transport to the city center takes just 10 minutes, and popular sites like the Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace are 26 minutes away by train. Shopping and nightlife in Ginza and Roppongi are 13 and 30 minutes away, respectively, by train. 15 minutes on foot will reach Akihabara's many electronics stores. Tokyo’s Narita International Airport is about an hour’s drive away. Haneda Airport is 26 minutes away by car.

Like the lobby, rooms here strive more for comfort than character. Rooms are small, but adequately furnished with carpeting and bedspreads in warm rust and brown tones. Desks with built-in electric outlets and large chairs are conducive for working. Several rooms come with lovely views of the city or the soaring Tokyo Skytree tower. However, many guests have observed that the beds in all double rooms are small, and rooms near the subway station are susceptible to train noise. The lack of proper closets is also a disappointment, especially for long-term guests. 

All non-smoking Standard and Superior Twin and Double Rooms are nicely appointed for a budget hotel, with air-conditioning and humidifiers, TVs (though only Japanese-language channels are aired), safes, and free Wi-Fi. Electric kettles and mini-fridges are provided, and ironing equipment can be rented at the front desk. Semi-Double Apartment rooms come with kitchenettes including sinks, microwaves, and flatware. Accessible Queen Rooms are available for guests with mobility issues. This is also one of the few Mystays properties with daily housekeeping services. 

Bathrooms are clean but tiny, with low ceilings that make them seem even smaller. Shower/tub combos have narrow tubs and handheld showerheads. Washlet features on the toilets are a plus. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided, with free replenishments of razors, shampoos, and lotions at the front desk.

As a budget hotel focused on basic necessities, the Mystays Asakusa has few leisure-based features; guests won’t find fitness facilities, meeting rooms, a business center, or an on-site restaurant here. Aside from the in-room massages available for extra fees, most amenities are utilitarian. The 24-hour convenience store on the ground floor, to which the hotel has an exclusive entrance, provides a wide range of surprisingly fresh food items at incredibly reasonable prices.

The coin laundry room, with three washer and dryer units (English instructions for usage are thoughtfully provided), plus a free ice machine, is particularly beneficial. Several items are available for rent at the front desk, from DVD players to electromagnetic cookers and cookware. Property-wide Wi-Fi is free.

Security is a priority here, as nighttime access to the property is granted only via intercoms or room keys. The hotel has extra charges for its four on-site parking spots, but the daily fees for bicycle rentals are much cheaper.