Shionomaru

The onsen was so peaceful after a day of sightseeing, with warm natural spring water that I could have soaked in forever. I’m back from Shionomaru Hotel in Ehime, and I’m still thinking about the stay. It has a lovely mix of old Japanese character and modern touches. I felt at home as soon as I arrived. The staff were incredibly friendly, helpful, and always smiling, and they gave me good ideas for places to explore nearby. Their Japanese-style hospitality really stood out. The room was cozy, with tatami mats and Japanese room screens, and hills and nature all around. It was a relaxing place to come back to after a busy day cycling. I also had some fantastic local dishes at the hotel restaurant. Everything was fresh and delicious, and the staff suggested a few seasonal dishes, which was a nice touch. Food lovers would enjoy it here. With the welcoming service, comfortable room, lovely onsen, and great food, I can’t recommend Shionomaru Hotel enough. I’ll definitely return next time I’m in Ehime.

I found this hotel poor value for money. Even though it’s one of the more expensive hotels, I think about half the price would be fair. The building and room are old, though the room is spacious and the view is pleasant. At the spa, you might expect an ocean view, but there’s no real hope of that. They also don’t replace the towels, so you have to use the same ones. Parking is narrow and poses a risk of an accident. Breakfast starts late, at 7:30 a.m.

The staff were kind and helpful, and breakfast was very good value. I had little else to complain about, but the bath didn’t meet my expectations for Yunoura, so I can’t give it more than four stars. I’d recommend the place for families.

After finishing the Shimanami Kaidou ride in the evening, all we wanted was to rest in our rooms. Instead, check-in was lengthy, and then we got into a dirty, outdated lift that smelled. The whole hotel had a strong cigarette and damp smell. We were three people in separate rooms, and all of us had the same experience, so this wasn’t limited to one room. The rooms were awful. The carpet was stained and worn, the sofa had a huge stain, dust covered the side table, and paint was peeling from cracked walls. There was some kind of powder on the curtain that rubbed off when opening the windows. The cigarette smell was especially strong. The room had a kettle and cups but no tea or coffee, and the slippers provided were old, used, and unhygienic. In the evening, the corridor leading to the lift felt eerie and creepy, with barely any light and faint music playing. Breakfast was mediocre at best, and the host had a runny nose. Our checkout time was changed from 11:00 to 10:00 a.m. The dingy, dirty, creepy feel made this the worst hotel I’ve stayed in. Avoid it.