Hotel Acqua Santa

We enjoyed a delicious, carefully prepared Italian full-course dinner. The front desk by the cobblestone streets has a lovely feel at night, and although the hotel is old, it's been renovated and the rooms are of ordinary quality. The in-room bath isn't a hot spring, but we took a walk and used nearby day spas and foot baths. I just wish we'd been able to get a non-smoking room. I'd recommend staying here as a base for sightseeing and enjoying good food.

Watching the sunrise from Room 301 turned out to be a lovely surprise. The courtyard had two hidden power spots, and also bank roses and ivy. There was an old piano in the restaurant with ivory keys, a priceless antique. With the owner's permission, and after washing your hands, you might be allowed to play it gently and quietly. Just be careful not to disturb other guests. Dinner, breakfast, and the building itself all seemed to carry the owner's and chef's 💖 spirit. Aqua Santa (Holy Water) Hotel is its own kind of place, a true auberge with simple but sufficient accommodation. It's not like a new business hotel focused on value for money, a large hotel attentive to every detail, or a ryokan with pampering waitresses. 😅 On April 26, 2025, I stayed in a different world, like a little hidden Italian inn with an inconspicuous entrance. 🌿 Anyone who's travelled in Europe may feel especially nostalgic. The curved walls and paving stones with corners that aren't 90 degrees made it feel like an old European castle. 🏰 I had a relaxing soak in the bathtub in my room all to myself. 😃 Be careful not to let it overflow. I've heard of people overseas being sued for a lot of money over water leaks. A toast to the owner and chef, who got through the COVID-19 pandemic and are working hard to promote Izu Nagaoka Town/Mitsuhama. Cheers to them!

I was here for work and wouldn't choose it for sightseeing. The facilities don't feel like they're from the Reiwa era. There aren't many business hotels in this tourist destination.

The one bright spot was the manager, or maybe the person running the place alone. They were nice. Otherwise, for a business stay the price felt high for the facilities and location, and I won't return. I'd suggest staying near Mishima Station instead. The facilities are generally old, and with the large public bath closed I had to use the one in my room. The shower temperature kept fluctuating, which was annoying. Breakfast was somewhat elaborate, but a simpler option would have been fine for multiple nights. Having to commit to a time in advance was unpleasant, too. I asked what time breakfast started and said somewhere between 8 and 30, but was told I had to pick an exact time. They could have adjusted it themselves to some extent, since it wasn't that busy.