Yokota’s new Kanto Lodge opens
to rave reviews, solid bookings
By Jennifer H. Svan, Tokyo
bureau chief
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Word that rooms are ready in the new
Kanto Lodge is spreading fast to weary travelers.
Since the $22.5 million building opened July 17, its 125 rooms have
been booked every night.
“We filled it up instantly,” said Sandy Davis, Kanto Lodge
general manager.
Building No. 15’s four floors provide temporary living quarters
to couples and small families making a permanent change in station to or from Yokota.
“The new facility is going to give Yokota more space and the
(base) units better lodging,” Davis said.
It also means that fewer newcomers to Yokota will spend their first
days or weeks in Japan in off-base quarters.
If the lodge wasn’t open, guests would have to stay at an
off-base hotel, since Yokota’s other temporary lodging facility — the 65-unit
east tower — is also full, Davis said.
Lodge rooms are 487 square feet with a bedroom, full kitchen and
small living room, and cost $35 a night. Each floor has washers and dryers. Four rooms are
equipped for handicapped guests, and one room that’s the size of two units –
with a lighted china cabinet and a patio – is intended for 0-6 distinguished
visitors.
The government of Japan paid for project construction, which began in
May 1999.
The lodge’s $1.4-million interior was funded by non-appropriated
lodge funds, Davis said.
Large families making a permanent change in station will still be
assigned to the east tower.
Though the tower is more spacious with three bedrooms, the new Kanto
Lodge offers many amenities.
Down the hall from the lobby are four computer terminals offering
guests free Internet access.
There’s also a video and souvenir shop that has a book swap, and
sells Japanese souvenirs and golf shirts and hats from Tama Hills Lodge.
The lodge also has a conference room it uses for employee training
and opens at night for guests.
The first Kanto Lodge — building No. 10 — is for enlisted
servicemembers on temporary duty at Yokota.
Check-in for both Kanto lodges is at the front desk in the new lodge.
Guests may be dropped off at the new lodge on Spaatz Street, but
pick-up will be next door at the old Kanto.
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