Scenic Hotels in Shirahama

"After much deliberation between Haizhou and Seamore, we ultimately chose Haizhou because my travel companion wanted to experience a Japanese tatami room. Plus, for a trip to Japan, staying at a Japanese *onsen* hotel just felt right. Since it's a sea-view hotel, opting for a sea-view room was a must, and the room looked exactly like the photos on their official website. It was quite a unique experience to take off our shoes upon check-in, and walking around the hotel barefoot was indeed very relaxing. Based on reviews, the food was said to be average, so we only booked accommodation. The complimentary afternoon tea and late-night ramen were, admittedly, quite ordinary. We also considered that we'd be heading to Kumano Kodo the next day and rushing back to the airport on our last day, so we likely wouldn't have much time for meals at the hotel. In the end, we had all our meals at Seamore, trying both their sea bream noodles and the popular Japanese set meal. The plum water provided in our room was delicious and so refreshing after an *onsen* bath. The private baths weren't as difficult to book as rumored, perhaps because we visited outside of peak season. At night, the sea view was completely dark, but we could enjoy stargazing instead. On our last morning, I visited the large mixed-gender public bath. While I could see the ocean, I also noticed some floating debris in the water, which was a bit unsettling and made me wonder if the baths we used at night had similar issues. Across the road, there's a charming Hawaiian-themed bar, and a few steps further, an artist-run bagel cafe. We had breakfast there on our last day, and the bagels, freshly baked by the artist herself, were absolutely delicious. In summary, this is a well-established, popular *onsen* hotel with a convenient location, decent room views, and satisfactory service. However, the facilities, cleanliness, and dining options could certainly be improved."

"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."

"The highlight of this hotel will be the seaview onsen. It’s huge with 3 floors. Service is very welcoming. The lobby, lounge area and restaurant are all very bright, modern and stylish. The rooms are however like entering a different world from 30 years ago, which definitely needs a major lift. The stains on the brown colored carpet are very eye catching. The beds are comfortable. We tried both the breakfast and dinner buffet, I suggest you may try to eat outside unless you really want to stay in the hotel for the rest of the day."

"I would like to go again. The room is very comfortable, the food quality is also very high, the beach is artificial sand, the scenery is very beautiful and peaceful, the only drawback is that there is no open-air hot spring, only two small hot springs to soak in"

"The best resort I stayed in Japan, spacial thank you to the stuff at the front desk who had been super kind and helpful. The hot spring which overlooks the ocean is stunning, highly recommended!"

"Stayed at this traditional Japanese-style hotel for three nights, the overall experience is very good, especially recommended to guests who pay attention to cultural experience, food and intimate service. • Japanese style is strong: The rooms are pure Japanese style, creating a quiet and comfortable atmosphere. • Top level of catering: The level of the hotel restaurant is impressive! Master chef (reservation at least one day in advance), definitely worth a special trip. • Great location and view: The hotel is conveniently located, there is a bus stop within a 5-minute walk. The highlight is that it is very close to the pier, where the sunrise scenery in the early morning is magnificent and charming, and it is not to be missed. It takes about 30 minutes (2 kilometers) to walk to the local seafood market, and it is very convenient to purchase fresh ingredients. There are various small stones in the entrance pier, friends who like to fish don't miss it! • Excellence Hot Springs and Services: ◦ The hot spring facilities in the hotel are very well maintained, clean and hygienic, and the bath is very comfortable. ◦ The service team is especially commendable! The service staff is very attentive, especially one of the girls from Taiwan Province of China, with a gentle and meticulous attitude and special caring. There is also a enthusiastic Japanese uncle, not only treating people kindly, but also taking the initiative to provide pick-up and drop-off services, taking us to restaurants, attractions and even the train station, greatly improving convenience and travel experience."

"ロケーションは最高です 施設もいい施設です、もう少し掃除が行き届いて欲しいですが 施設の前に車を停めたのですが 向かいの土地の老夫婦がギリギリ出れない所に車を止めて 出れないようにしてきます 探してもいないので ホーンを鳴らすと戦闘モードで出てきますので 気をつけてください 色々言いましたが 凄く良いロケーションでいい宿で 最高の白浜旅行でした"

"On the third day of the New Year, dinner with my mother to feel the sea breeze of Jiyi Peninsula and the cattle in Kumano, 🐼 Japan's only two cities with pandas ♨️ 100% undispensed natural hot springs brought in by a kilometer underground 🏖️ White Beach shipped from Australia 🦞 charcoal grilled Ise lobster and abalone for breakfast on the fourth day of the New Year. Fish eat, the main focus is all kinds of eating and drinking. The hotel will send a business car JR station to pick up and drop off."

"It is recommended to drive by yourself in Baibin. The hotel is very close to Baibin's 3 large scenic spots (Yuanyue Island, Qiandile, and Three-Division Wall), and it takes a few minutes to ten minutes to drive to a scene. Hotel room was clean, we stayed Japanese style, including meals, dinner, breakfast delicious, staff friendly."