Awara Grand Hotel

There’s plenty to do without leaving the ryokan: several baths, massage chairs, and comfortable spots to sit and unwind. The staff were welcoming, and everything was clean and well cared for, even though some of the shared spaces looked dated. There’s also a gift shop, banquet hall, kids’ corner, and karaoke room. The town didn’t seem to have much entertainment, but that was fine for a quiet, affordable weekend of good food and onsen. My one gripe was the bedding. We were given just one futon, so sleeping on the hard surface was rough. I’m sure they would have brought more if we’d asked politely.

The private and public baths were excellent. The rooms felt a little old, and the futon and pillows were thin and flat. Awara Grand Hotel was good for the price, easy to find, and convenient if you’re driving.

The onsen were the highlight, with several to choose from, including one on the top floor overlooking the city. Locals use them, which felt like a good sign, and I even got to know a few. We had dinner together that day, then they showed me around the next day 😃. My room was okay, old-fashioned, nothing much to say about it.

The staff were good, and the room was very clean. I enjoyed the hot springs and would recommend staying here while traveling around Awara.