The Gran Resort Elegante Atami

The rooms were nice, but the location is a pain, especially if you're relying on a station pickup. I sent several emails and they were ignored. When I arrived, he acted as if they hadn't come through, even though the receptionist then checked and found dozens of unread messages. Disappointing. I'd avoid the place, or book at the last minute if you're after a bargain.

The Onsen was quiet during our visit and really relaxing, and the location worked well for my wife and me. The hotel itself is a little dated, though the price was reasonable. If you want to eat at the restaurant, remember to reserve dinner or breakfast ahead of time.

The indoor Onsen pool is small, but the hotel was comfortable, and the service was good. Staff can only manage limited English. The slope up to the hotel is steep, so arrange the limousine service ahead, call once you reach Atami station, or ask the Atami tourist information centre for help. The centre staff weren't fluent in English either, but they were helpful. Unlike at some other Onsen hotels, nobody asked us in advance when our train would arrive, and responses weren't as prompt. The meals were tasty, though less appealing than what we've had at other Onsen hotels. The splendid alfonsino portion wasn't generous, which fits with Atami being a tourist-oriented city. At over 25K yens, the stay felt a bit overpriced compared with Onsen hotels in nearby cities. On departure, you can choose to go to the MOA museum, which I appreciated.

The view from the room was the one good thing. Service was nonexistent and the staff seemed clueless. I messaged before check-in, but they claimed they never got anything, even after I showed them. There was no toilet paper at 12pm, the place wasn't clean, and the Onsen amenities seemed not to have been replenished for a while. It felt abandoned.