GOTO RETREAT by Onko Chishin

We had a lovely view from our room, and the amenities were excellent. The hotel feels peaceful and relaxing. Dinner at the restaurant on our first night was amazing, and breakfast was wonderful throughout our stay. The staff were always friendly and helpful. We'll definitely come back.

The food and service were amazing, and having a private outdoor hot tub right off the room was something I've never experienced anywhere else. The rooms were silent and incredibly peaceful. It's a very remote place, but every minute of the trip was worth it. For a few days of monk-like luxury, there's not much to do beyond bathing, sleeping, eating, and watching the ever-changing clouds and ocean. You only get breakfast and dinner, but they're so sumptuous that lunch doesn't feel necessary. Perfection. I'd give it ten stars if I could.

From the room, the dramatic sea view was stunning. I stayed in room 35, and the open-air bath, quiet, and comfort made it easy to lounge around. I could have happily stayed in for days. There are 26 rooms in all. The hotel sits by the sea between the black lava coast and Onidake volcano. Lava stones dug up during construction now appear in the interior. The monochrome stained glass was made by local workshop Mitsuiraku Mitsuraku538Workshop. The rooms were designed by Yukio Hashimoto Studio, which also designed rooms at Peninsula Tokyo and Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto. The Goto Islands feel rustic and soulful, with their Islands of Prayer, hidden Christians, beautiful views, and great drives. At the hotel, I would have booked the spa if I had another night. Stargazing would have been great too, but the weather wasn't good. I could still track the moon's path. Dinner and breakfast were enjoyable, homey meals. I caught a gorgeous sunset with a double rainbow. The fish at breakfast was a little overcooked, but the rest was good. The price was US$ 535. Rating: 5/5.

The hotel's look sits somewhere between a monastery and a new high-tech building, with spacious rooms and a very unusual, zen feel. We had great weather, but there was nowhere to sit outside, like a terrace, garden, or pool. It's a shame when the view is worth a million dollars, yet the only way to get outdoors is through our own private onsen. I know Japan isn't big on terraces or places to enjoy the sun and fresh air. You also have to work around the set meal plans, times, locations, and arrangements. Everything is fixed.