Shofuen

The hotel is very old, and the approach along the side road has an abandoned Soviet industrial complex feel. It’s an old area. Still, despite the dated surroundings and building, we had an enjoyable stay and a great experience. From the lobby, the ocean view is the best I’ve ever seen from a hotel. The staff were very friendly, and there’s a complimentary selection of drinks there. The meals were amazing: beautiful, delicious Japanese multi-course food. The huge dining room gave each group plenty of space, handy when your son wants to do shirtless wind sprints. The bath was lovely, with spectacular views. One wall has a beautiful mermaid mosaic, and the outdoor bath is stunning. The water wasn’t too hot, so my three-year-old could actually get in. They switch which bath is for men and women, so be careful if you can’t read Japanese. Our room was on the first floor, but getting there felt like heading into a coal mine: two long escalators, then a long, steep ramp to an elevator on the fourth floor. The room itself was beautiful, with another stunning view. The futons were very thin, probably as old as the hotel, and my wife called them osembei.