Miyajima Hanarenoyado IBUKU Bettei

The open-air bath was my favorite part. Sitting there and listening to cars, trains, and what I think were cicadas was incredibly relaxing. I stayed in a very spacious annex room with a living room, bedroom, shower and bathroom, plus an outdoor area with the bath. It was right by the tracks, though the train noise didn't bother me personally, so keep that in mind if you're sensitive to it. I had no complaints about the room itself. The staff were friendly and happy to answer questions. Meals were another highlight, with plenty of food at both dinner and breakfast. There are lots of fish dishes. You can order drinks and eat in a semi-private room; you can hear neighboring guests, but I didn't find it distracting. The shuttle to and from Onoura Station was much appreciated, especially in the rain when I left. Pickup arrangements by phone went smoothly, and there was parking for anyone driving. I enjoyed my stay and would return if I was in the area.

The room's balcony view was different, I guess, and soaking in the private outdoor bath under a blue sky was lovely. The room itself was very spacious by Japanese standards and had both a private onsen and a jacuzzi, which made the hotel feel worth the price. It's a high-end place not too far from Miyajima. The Japanese breakfast may be too fish-heavy for Western guests, though it suited my non-Western palate perfectly. The main drawback is the trains: they run until 1 AM, then start again at 5 AM. You may wake to the fairly loud sound of passing carriages.

The food really impressed me, it was excellent. Rooms were clean, comfortable, and spacious, and the staff were friendly and helpful.

The onsen was amazing, and the staff can collect you from the closest station. We also reached Itsukushima in under 20 minutes, while Hiroshima is about a 30-minute train ride away. I thought our stay at IBUKU was perfect, though we would have given it six stars if they could cater to vegetarian or vegan diets.