ONCRI-KARATSU

The rooms were clean and spacious, the service was good, and breakfast was Japanese style with something different each day. The hotel has recently been renovated and sits in an excellent spot near the beach, though the work seemed a little unfinished. That didn't affect our stay. They could add more sun loungers by the pool, and perhaps some on the beach too, since there weren't any.

Lovely views, beautiful decor, and delicious food. Just be ready to have a little patience if you don't speak Japanese.

For the price, I think the food and drink offer very good value. Dinner comes in generous portions with lots of variety, and it's fresh; hot dishes arrive piping hot. Breakfast includes fresh sashimi special to Karatsu, and you can have any leftovers with ochazuke, rice with tea. This culinary hotel was renovated from an old inn, and parts of the facility still feel unfinished, which is a bit odd. It'd be nice if the pool were heated year-round and the large bath were a hot spring with an open-air bath, though I expect the room price would go up a lot. Even as it is, I think families with children would have a great time here in summer.

The staff were so kind and attentive, with the sort of hospitality and smiles that make you want to return. The room had a lovely ocean view and a clean, white interior, and the kids absolutely loved the pool. We had a satisfying dinner course, mostly Japanese food with several kinds of nigiri sushi. The fresh Karatsu squid sashimi was incredibly crunchy and delicious, and the squid tentacle tempura afterward was wonderfully crisp too. Breakfast was luxurious as well. The rice cooked in a pot was sweet and delicious♪