EepiceNestled on a hillside overlooking the bay, the hotel is absolutely stunning on a clear day. The garden has direct access to the beach, though climbing the stairs back up can be quite a workout.
The room facilities were comprehensive and newer than I had anticipated.
The hotel was quite busy with guests from various countries, indicating it's indeed very foreigner-friendly. However, this also led to some issues. For instance, the hotel's onsen (hot spring) isn't very large, so it felt quite crowded with so many international visitors. What was even more dismaying was the blatant disregard for onsen etiquette. I personally witnessed several instances, including but not limited to: two Chinese female tourists in swimsuits in the outdoor bath, one of whom was sitting at the edge, soaking her legs while drinking a beverage, with a full face of makeup – I half expected her to pull out her phone for a 'perfect shot.' Additionally, two women, possibly from Eastern Europe or Russia, covered in tattoos, wore their slippers directly into the changing area and then just left them thrown under the lockers. Such sights were off-putting, so we decided not to use the onsen on our second night. The hotel actually provides guests with a leaflet on Japanese onsen etiquette upon check-in, but clearly, some people just don't bother to read it. I suggest the hotel increases staff patrols in the onsen area to promptly identify and address these uncivilized behaviors.
On another note, when we first entered our room, it felt stuffy, so we opened the window, which unfortunately let in some mosquitoes. After contacting the front desk, they promptly sent up an electric mosquito repellent, which was a thoughtful gesture.
We stayed for two nights, both on a half-board basis (dinner and breakfast). The dinner was a Western-style set menu, with at least 7 courses. Both the presentation and content were Michelin-level and absolutely delicious.
Finally, the hotel's shuttle bus service is quite frequent. In the mornings, there are four buses that stop at Shimoda Park, which is perfect for seeing the hydrangeas.
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