Hoshino Resorts KAI Atami

Lovely setting and bath, and the food was excellent.

The steep stairs and long walk to the bath made me really regret bringing my elderly grandparents here. They're renovating now, so I hope things improve, but if guests have to enter their ages when booking, I wish the hotel had warned us about the stairs. I wonder how someone in a wheelchair would manage. Beyond Atami, I feel the price and service don't match at hotels other than Hoshinoya. I'd like to see them improve.

The rooms were spacious and comfortable, quiet, and had a lovely ocean view. We paid ¥70,000 for two, after being drawn in by the pictures on Atami Kai's website. The building's stone stairway down to the large bath is about 50 meters, with a bench partway down. That could be really tough for older guests. The men's and women's bath areas switch between evening and morning. The atmosphere was nice, but at night it was completely dark outside, so there was no view. Lighting it up would have been wonderful. There were no private baths, and the open-air public bath closed after midnight. The view is better in the morning. Both meals came to our room. The portions were small, and breakfast was plain with few side dishes. The men in our group felt a bit underwhelmed, and it wasn't much to take bragging photos of. The food was neither especially good nor bad. It was my first stay at a Hoshino Resort, and perhaps I expected too much, but I was disappointed and unconvinced by the value. Looking into it, I learned the food uses a "central kitchen system," with 80% frozen and 20% prepared on site. I suppose that helps with the shortage of chefs. There seemed to be lots of young staff. I understand Hoshino Resorts doesn't have a proprietress, and the idea is for each employee to take on that role. I think that's a good idea. For me, food matters most at a hot spring inn, then the open-air bath and view. Pleasant hospitality would add to the experience too. Everyone has their own view, but this time I felt I was paying for the Hoshino Resorts name.

The staff were cheerful, attentive, and friendly, and there were various events to enjoy during my stay. Food came hot, and although the portions weren't huge and the main course felt a little underwhelming, the delicate flavors were delicious. That may depend on the plan. The building follows the mountainside, with rooms, lobby, and large baths linked by winding corridors and stairs. It's an interesting layout, though the stairs are steep enough that I wouldn't recommend it for seniors. The guest room baths were disappointing for the building's age. Stone floors, cypress walls, and tubs often had moss and mold on them. Each room has just one type of bath, and it's pretty ordinary.