Saijocho Misaka Holidays

Not in walking distance to ferry as advertised. Had to take the shuttle but was only available in the mornings. Otherwise had to take a taxi to hotel. It was also attached to a bicycle racing track with betting, Keirin, an Olympic sport invented by the Japanese. The hotel onsen closed when the competitors were on site— one of the few amenities in this minimalist hotel. It is not a good place from which to visit the art island of Naoshima. Net time, I will definitely stay there. The hotel was expensive for where it was and the few amenities that were available.

Weird hotel. Reception’s nearly at the top of the building as is breakfast. Apparently there’s some sort of group bath (ick!) on the top floor. There’s open discrimination against males with tattoos using it though. First the negatives. The room has no storage space so all your clothing is staying in your suitcases. You can’t open the windows so smells will linger. Slightly confusing room cleaning model. Graffiti adorns the entrance to the building. Checkout involves posting your key in a box on the ground floor. On the plus side the hotel is conveniently located for the A-bomb monuments/Museum, castle and Hiroshima Station which are all within walking distance. Also, The room was clean, quiet and the hotel staff were polite. The smart toilet is great! Nothing special and nothing terrible.

I love the Y2K business aesthetic in the rooms, nice view over the water. There is little to do immediately around the hotel so the free bus shuttle to Hiroshima station is very useful. The fast boat to Miyajima was also quite convenient. I would skip the buffet dinner, it was quite expensive with a great quantity but not necessarily quality of options. there were only a few people dining but somehow still stressed staff with headsets.

Clean, staff respectful

Close to all the amenities that I enjoy while in Japan period