Kotobuki Hotel

The rooms are okay, and the beds are comfortable, but the decor isn't very nice. The building looks like its renovation was started and never finished, and the place can feel almost like a hospital. It's not especially welcoming. The staff are my favorite part, though. They're very friendly and helpful, and there's almost always someone at the desk who speaks English.

Breakfast was a lovely surprise, with a modern take on Japanese staples and a much bigger variety of small plates than usual. It's one of the best breakfasts we've had in Japan, second only to Uguisu in Aomori City. The Greek yogurt and cheese from the cheese maker next door, Kotobuki Cheese, were delicious, and there were lovely breads and a toaster too. We also enjoyed using our two drink tickets for Yamazaki and Scotch at the bar just behind the hotel, which has a similar design. Just keep in mind there's a 500¥ table charge per person. The hotel itself has a fun old Japan meets airy minimalist style. It's a 50-year-old building, remodeled by a designer from Fukuoka and opened six months ago. Our room was spacious, with lovely natural light, and the beds, pillows, and bedding were comfy and plush. The staff seemed to take real pleasure in giving excellent service, and their English was unusually good. The coin laundry in the lobby was so convenient, with two washers and two dryers. Washing cost 300¥ with soap included, though I'm not sure what the dryer costs. Max Value and a drug store are only a three-minute walk away. We weren't planning to come back, but we've adjusted our trip so we can stay here again when we pass through Kanoya. Thank you, Kotobuki Hotel, for taking such good care of us.

The bed was comfortable, and the high ceiling made the deluxe twin room feel spacious. But the layout and facilities were so awkward that I won't be back. I was there alone for two nights on a business trip, and the room was far too large for one person. I often stay in regional business hotels around the country, and this was the hardest one to use. It looks stylish, but feels shoddy, as if the design cared more about appearance than the people staying there. The hanging bar by the entrance was set so high that even at over 165 cm tall, I found it too high. The sink and faucet were badly placed, so I had to be careful not to splash water everywhere. With a room this big, a separate bathroom would make more sense, especially for two people. I could only find a mirror at the sink. There should at least be one at the bedroom desk, and there's no full-length mirror, so people sharing a room would have to compete to get ready in the morning. The bathroom itself was ordinary, but there was a lot of limescale and mold in places. A long hair was stuck to the basket that seemed meant for towels, which was unpleasant. The blinds looked stylish, but swayed in the air conditioner's breeze and let me see outside at night, which was annoying. The air conditioner louvers made the remote difficult to use, and that was stressful. The refrigerator barely chilled a carbonated drink overnight. Breakfast is served outside the hotel, on the second floor of a building two doors down. It was raining when I went, which was very inconvenient. Umbrellas were available at the front desk, but nobody offered me one even though I was clearly heading to breakfast. A hotelier paying attention to guests' movements would naturally offer. For someone looking for a stylish, eye-catching hotel, this may be a good choice, but I didn't find the facilities comfortable.

Whenever I come back home, I stay here. The rooms are simple, clean, and comfortable, and I sleep well. My single room had a shower instead of a bathtub, but the overhead shower was large enough to warm me up. After staying here, I can't imagine choosing another hotel. I'll definitely be back.