Misaki Terrace

The WiFi was weak, and the TV’s YouTube connection kept me from watching anything. I could connect my iPhone with Apple Music to the room’s Bluetooth, though, which was great. The room was very clean, and there were lots of billiards and card games to use for free. Drinks were available all the time, though they cost a little extra. There was nobody at reception.

We decided to cook all our meals in the room as soon as we saw the kitchen. I enjoy cooking, and it had plenty of utensils plus basic seasonings. The room itself was roomy, quiet, and really comfortable, with a floor-to-ceiling window looking out to sea. The sunrise was so lovely I didn’t even want to close the curtains at night. The hotel mostly runs on a self-service basis, and there usually isn’t anyone at the front desk, but they give you contact details in case you need help. The staff were friendly too. When one happened to be passing during check-in, they carried our luggage to the room, which saved us from hauling it up the stairs ourselves. We only thought of using the balcony barbecue grill after checking in, so we’d notified the hotel too late for them to prepare food. They still provided the grill and gave us clear directions to nearby places where we could buy ingredients. A very satisfying stay, and I’d happily come back many more times.

The hotel itself was excellent, and my stay left me with good memories: the room was as clean as it looked in the photos, the barbecue ingredients were delicious, and the staff member who came to set up the grill was perfectly fine. My main complaint is how poorly things were handled before arrival. One small detail at the hotel was a very dirty patch of floor between the bathroom and shower room wall. I booked the anniversary plan with a cake three months ahead, hoping to surprise my partner for their birthday during what was expected to be a busy period. The plan didn’t include dinner, but the official website said BBQ or Italian food could be delivered to the room with advance booking. A month before our stay, I called to arrange Italian food. The woman who answered was polite, but said they didn’t offer it and asked where I’d seen that. I told her it was on the official website, but she didn’t seem convinced. She said BBQ was possible instead, so I asked about the price. After several holds to check, she said it would add 2,000 yen per person, or 4,600 yen for a cake. I agreed to switch to BBQ, then learned I had to cancel and make a new booking. I worried someone else might take the room once I canceled, and she put me on hold again before saying someone in charge would call. The BBQ plan looked like it cost more than just 2,000 yen extra per person, judging by the photos. The next day a man who seemed to be the manager called. He said I had to rebook, but would stay on the phone while I did it and explain things if another customer booked first, so I’d get priority. I followed his instructions and canceled. When I tried to book again, the original plan had gone up by about 7,000 yen per person. I asked if that was because of the booking timing. He hadn’t mentioned any price change when I canceled, beyond the BBQ cost. If I’d known it would rise that much, I might have arranged dinner myself. I was so focused on rebooking that I didn’t think clearly about the timing. I got the new booking through, though I was told they probably couldn’t discount the increase caused by the timing. Since the stay was still ahead and I didn’t want to make a fuss, I reluctantly accepted. They said they’d contact me again nearer the date. I felt service staff should explain a disadvantage like a price increase before it happens. Two days before the stay, a man who probably wasn’t the manager called while I was at work, so I missed it. A woman answered when I called back, confirmed the plan, and explained check-in, but never mentioned the cake. When I asked, she seemed to be hearing about the cake option for the first time. I was appalled by the lack of information sharing. They said the person in charge would call. I missed that call too, then reached the man who seemed to be the manager when I called back. They agreed to prepare the cake because I’d asked about it earlier, but still wouldn’t offer a discount. He only apologized quietly. I wanted to ask for the optional cake free or complain about the service so far, but held back because I didn’t want to seem even more difficult. I’d expected no discount by then, but was still very disappointed. Even a typical chain izakaya seemed like it would have better service. It didn’t feel like the treatment a customer who’d paid a considerable amount should receive. Arrival was self check-in, so I barely interacted with anyone. After that, the hotel itself was great. But if you’re adding dinner to an anniversary plan, be careful: calling later to request it won’t get it arranged on the spot, and they may tell you to rebook. When I pointed out the dinner option on the website, staff said there was no such thing and asked where I’d found it. There also seemed to be almost no information passed between employees, and nobody explained the substantial price increase, which cost me money. About two months after I posted this review, someone in charge of the Misaki Terrace/Ginpaso Group called. They apologized, said the employee’s conduct before my stay was unacceptable and that they’d taken action, and offered a refund. I declined at first because it was in the past and I’d been very satisfied with the stay, but they said they hoped I’d use the hotel again and wanted to address the unpleasant experience sincerely as a company, so I accepted the offer. They told me dinner is currently BBQ only, and the Italian option on the official website was something they’d offered in the past. They said they would update the site, though the Italian listing is still there. After that call, I’d use the hotel again if I’m in the Akaho area, or if Italian dinner comes back.

The staff explained everything clearly and thoroughly. I also really liked the room’s view, its interior, and the space itself. I’d be glad to stay here again.