Livemax Resort Izu Kogen Terrace & Spa

We’ve been coming every month since it opened. The staff are cheerful, kind, and incredibly friendly. The rooms are always spotless, and our dogs have a great time in the dog run. I really love this hotel and would like to stay again, so I hope they can make some changes. What disappointed me this time was the food. We always look forward to the delicious meals, but this one was such a shock after last month’s. There was clearly less food, the meat dish had disappeared, and the fish portion was much smaller. We weren’t full at all. We know prices are going up and some increase is unavoidable, but this felt like too much. Good food and hot springs are a big part of why we travel, so it was really disappointing. Could you consider offering a meal upgrade plan for an extra charge, so guests can enjoy a more substantial meal? Thank you for considering it.

Breakfast came in generous portions and tasted great. Dinner was fine, nothing special, but there was plenty of it. For two people, less than 15,000 yen a night with two meals and the hot spring tax included felt like a great deal, almost the cost of a room-only stay these days. Getting there is the tricky part: only two buses run from the station each day, so a taxi or car is a better bet.

We were so comfortable there that we stayed until lunchtime, and now we want to book several nights next time. The staff were all women who clearly love dogs. They were warm and kind, understood both pets and their families, and chatted with us a lot, which we especially appreciated. There’s an indoor dog run, plus an outdoor one a little farther away that’s safely lit at night. The meals looked lovely and tasted great. There’s no elevator to the guest rooms, but we could leave our pet cart by the restaurant from check-in through checkout, so that wasn’t a problem. The two public baths are small and a bit old, though the water was plentiful and good quality, and amenities were provided.

Room: Japanese-Western suite with all-you-can-drink plan The stairs are something to keep in mind, since there’s no elevator. Anyone with weak legs or trouble climbing may find it hard to carry luggage. The courtyard dog run is surrounded by buildings and has a slight smell, though that seems normal for a dog-focused inn and was acceptable to me. What made the stay so satisfying was the value. The price is so low I almost wonder how the place stays open, yet even on weekdays it’s often fully booked. Staff told me, and other guests staying that day confirmed, that many people come back. The staff were cheerful and welcoming, and the fresh sashimi at both dinner and breakfast was tasty and filling. I travel with my beloved toy poodle and have stayed at dog-first inns around Izu often; this one stood out. It’s not the place I’d choose if I wanted top-end luxury in every detail. The baths aren’t especially spacious or open, and can feel small, as other reviews mention. But the water quality is excellent, and I wanted to soak in it again and again. The large and small baths switch between men and women in the evening, at night, and in the morning. For a more relaxing soak in a slightly bigger tub, try the large bath. There are three dog runs, one open around the clock, as well as an indoor one, so rain isn’t a problem. I was so happy with what we got for the price that I’ll definitely return. If you’re after a reasonably priced, satisfying stay with your dog, this place is worth considering. Thanks to the staff for being so friendly.