Family Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Despite a three-night stay, I definitely wouldn't recommend this hotel! Let me be clear about some major drawbacks: First, there's the steep uphill path leading directly to the hotel. Don't tell me taking a taxi solves the problem. While you *might* be able to catch a taxi to and from the hotel or main attractions (if one is available), getting to the beach, Lawson (convenience store), or any restaurants means you absolutely have to walk up and down this very steep and challenging slope. Had I known about this significant inconvenience in advance, I absolutely would not have booked here. As previous guests have noted, the room had a distinct, unpleasant odor, almost like salted fish – I guess we can just pretend it's a seafood hub. On top of that, there were urine stains on the toilet bowl. Despite them knowing we were checking in with children, no children's amenities were provided. You might wonder why I didn't just ask the **front desk**? Well, that leads to another huge point of frustration. The front desk staff's efficiency is absolutely abysmal, and communication was practically impossible, even with translation software. When I inquired about children's toothbrushes, their baffling response was, 'I booked children to stay, so I can't refund the children's money to me.' After going back and forth with them to no avail, I gave up and ended up having to buy toothbrushes, toothpaste, and slippers for the kids myself. The room's soundproofing was incredibly poor. Children yelling was the least of our concerns; we could clearly hear people walking around upstairs and even the creaking of hinges when neighbors closed their doors. The pool was crowded, chaotic, and most importantly, quite dirty, with sand clearly visible at the bottom. To be frank, while I haven't stayed at a vast number of Marriott hotels, I've certainly experienced a few. This, however, was by far the worst Marriott I've ever encountered, which is particularly shocking given that it's in Japan, a country celebrated for its meticulous standards.

I visited once in the summer of 2019 while pregnant with my second child, and it was a wonderful experience. The place was beautiful, clean, with excellent service, and the food served was delicious. This year, with my younger child grown, we wanted to revisit and relive those memories, but it was quite disappointing. The room was untidy, and the cleanliness had significantly deteriorated. Sleeping on the tatami, I woke up at 4 AM due to intense itching on my left shoulder, neck, and side. I suspect it was fleas, perhaps from the old tatami mat or mattress, as I tend to sleep on my left side. I didn't get any good sleep that night. The food quality had drastically declined; it felt like eating in a large cafeteria. The restaurant staff's attitude was also quite perfunctory; not outright rude, but it left a very poor impression. The humble service, smiles, and respect we experienced during our first visit were completely absent. We stayed for two days, and Saturday, our second day, was even worse. The Japanese dinner was supposed to be served course by course, meaning one dish at a time, with the next served only after the current one was finished, a plate per person, paced according to the guest's eating speed. Instead, a small dish was served to everyone, which we quickly finished. We tried to ask for the next course, but it didn't come. We were left waiting awkwardly for a long time, and then only a tiny bit more food would arrive, which we'd devour instantly. Then we'd be back to staring with pleading eyes, practically begging for more food. Finally, we realized that it wasn't about our table finishing a dish before the next was served. It was a mass cafeteria system, with over a dozen tables and families. Dinner started promptly at 5:30 PM, and even if we ate quickly, we had to wait for all the other tables to finish their first dish. Then, a cart would be brought out, and all tables would be served the second dish simultaneously. We were all separate parties, but families with kids who ate faster still had to wait for groups that were drinking to finish their first course before our second dish arrived. This is absolutely not Japanese dining service; it's a completely militarized cafeteria system. You have to wait for all fifteen-plus tables to finish their first course before the second one is served. Traditional Japanese meals are usually served individually, often in small portions. Here, if you eat quickly, you'll be left with nothing, just sitting there watching others drink and chat. Their 'Japanese' style amounts to serving you a single bite, and once you're done, you just stare at everyone else, because you won't get a second portion until they decide it's time. Having degenerated to this point, I will never eat their food again. It was sheer torment. The hotel's direct access to the beach right downstairs is a definite geographical advantage. We might consider staying here again if the kids specifically want to play in the sand, but if they're not keen on the beach, I will definitely not return. What a pity! I wanted to find a photo to post, but frankly, there was nothing worth sharing. Perhaps I should just post a photo of the broken TV, which they claimed had a loose connection and needed the cabinet dismantled for repair.

Facilities: Japanese-style design Sanitation: Clean and tidy Environment: Central location of Shirahama, next to Shirarahama Beach, every room can see the sea, super beautiful Service: Upon arrival, they actively helped with luggage, every aspect was very delicate, the hot spring was very comfortable, and dinner was ordered when checking in, one night and two meals is great

The location is close to the beach, making it convenient for self-driving tours. Although the hotel has been renovated, it feels a bit run-down, but the beautiful scenery is enough to complement it. The hotel buffet has a wide variety of dishes and is very satisfying.

I stayed for 2 nights and experienced two different room types: an ocean-view tatami room on the 7th floor (pictured) and another ocean-view tatami room on the 1st floor (with a private hot spring bath). **Pros:** 1. The location offers stunning ocean views. Just a short walk from the hotel (turn left, then left again), you'll find expansive ocean vistas; even if you haven't booked an ocean-view room, you can still enjoy the sea here and take evening strolls along the coast. 2. Complimentary hot and cold beverages are available, though with time restrictions. 3. There's a public hot spring bath (onsen) on the 2nd floor, complete with yukata (Japanese robes) and a comprehensive range of toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, facial cleanser, makeup remover, toner, and lotion. A special touch is the selection of nearly 10 different brands of shampoos and conditioners you can choose from. For rooms with a private bath, Refa hairdryers are provided, and you can enjoy both indoor and outdoor bathing options. It's lovely to soak under the stars at night. 4. Complimentary ramen is served at 9 PM. During my two-day stay, it was 'black ramen' both nights. 5. The front desk staff primarily speak Japanese and English (no Chinese), but simple English communication was smooth. Overall service was excellent. Despite the remote surroundings, the hotel interior felt vibrant and welcoming. The dinner and breakfast staff were also very attentive and particularly friendly towards children. 6. The hotel is conveniently located less than a 10-minute walk from Kii-Katsuura JR Station, making it easy to visit the Whale Museum in Taiji and explore the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. **Cons:** 1. The walk from Kii-Katsuura JR Station to the hotel with luggage was quite challenging. The pedestrian path is narrow, with cars driving by very close, though thankfully there wasn't much traffic. The hotel also does not offer a shuttle service. 2. The room facilities are a bit dated and show their age, but they remain fully functional. 3. Since we stayed in tatami rooms, we had to lay out our futons ourselves each night. 4. Due to booking two different room types, on the second day we had to check out by 10 AM, store our luggage, and then re-check in at 3 PM. Luckily, we were out exploring for most of the day, so it wasn't a major inconvenience. 5. The rooms use traditional keys (not key cards), which means you have to remember to manually lock the door when leaving. This felt a little inconvenient. **In summary,** this is a charming onsen hotel offering pleasant scenery and warm, attentive service. I would highly recommend it.