Shinminka Villa Uttabaru

It takes a little effort to get here, but the stay is well worth it. The beach isn’t right outside, though it’s close enough that it didn’t bother me. Nights are peaceful, and I’d definitely make use of the on-site BBQ.

The room was really nice, and the quiet surroundings made for good snorkeling. The beach had no waves, and there were fish to see. I took off a star because I need coffee in the morning. The listing mentioned beans and a grinder, but there weren’t any, so without bringing my own I couldn’t have coffee at breakfast.

The beach is a short walk away, and you can hear the waves from your room. Most basic supplies are there, including good-quality Matsuyama Oil & Fat Co., Ltd. shampoo, conditioner, and body soap, though there were no toothbrushes. I hesitated to use the dishes and beach items in the closet because they didn’t look very clean. The parking spot is tight even for a small car, so there’s no need to pull too far back. There are plenty of insects, too. At night, you can see clearly into the room from outside even with the bamboo blinds down. Although it didn’t seem like many people were entering the surrounding grounds, we had to point the lights upward or hang a picnic blanket to get more privacy. With that issue fixed, I think we could’ve relaxed more.

I went in with expectations that were too high. The designer architecture is distinctive, but there aren’t enough basic amenities to make the stay comfortable.