Hotel Nishimura

The view from the room was fantastic, and it was all kept very clean and organized. The receptionists were so welcoming and helpful. I got plenty of help and had some good chats with them, which made this one of the friendliest service experiences I had in Japan. Breakfast was pretty good, with a few nice choices. There’s also a machine for drinks and cup noodles, plus a microwave. I’d give the stay 10/10.

There are regular buses right outside, which was really handy, and Hotel Nishi was tidy with very friendly staff who spoke good English. On a clear day, the views are fantastic for the price. The rooms were quiet and otherwise well equipped, though the Wi-Fi was sometimes weak. I managed at breakfast with rice, salad, and vegetables, but there weren’t many vegan options. Chopped fruit and a milk alternative for the cornflakes would be nice. Thanks for having me Hotel Nishi ^_^

Breakfast was good and the staff were kind, but I wouldn’t choose this hotel again, even though I’d happily return to the area. It really only works if you’ve got a rental car, otherwise getting around is a hassle. I was lucky enough to have a Mt Fuji view from my room, but the rest felt depressing. Shoes aren’t allowed, and they clean baggage wheels, yet the room still felt a bit dusty and below the level of cleanliness I’d expect.

The location is the main reason I wouldn’t stay here again. It’s far from the JR and shikansen Fuji or shin-fuji stations, and the bus only runs from 7 am to 8 pm. Outside those hours you’re looking at a 40-minute walk, a taxi, or two local train transfers. The room’s shower head had a crack that sent water spraying everywhere, and the dryer took 2.5 hours to dry one small load. It cost 100 yen per 30 minutes, but that’s still a long wait. If you have wet clothes, running two dryers at once might help if you can. The staff were kind, and I was glad they could honor my request for the Mt Fuji-facing side. The buffet breakfast was pretty good. Since you leave outdoor shoes at the door, the white carpeted floors were clean. The shower pressure was good and the bed was comfy. There are quite a few hotel rules, some pretty eccentric, but I appreciate that they stick to them rather than bend them for western folks. I imagine they’ve had too many irresponsible guests. If the rules don’t bother you, you shouldn’t have issues.