Marriott Hotels in Shirahama

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.