Centurion Hotel & Spa Kurashiki

The hotel was really clean, with an onsen and wardrobes for it. There's laundry and a dryer, and you can borrow hotel umbrellas when it rains. The staff were very nice and understanding, with English-speaking receptionists available day and night. The lobby has free afternoon coffee, a microwave, and luggage storage. You can also reserve the breakfast you want in one of three time slots. There were three of us, so the room felt crowded with three beds. There wasn't enough room to hang clothes and towels, and big luggage was a tight fit. There also weren't English TV shows or YouTube options. It's quite different from what we're used to in the US, where I think we're a bit spoiled. The room did have a fridge, heating thermos, teas, robes, heater and AC, bidet, ventilated bathroom, and brand new slippers. I understand and respect the conditions given Japanese culture, and the trip was still worth it. I enjoyed the culture, food, scenery, and especially the people so much that I forgot how small our room was. 😄👍👍

Centurion Hotel & Spa Kurashiki [407] is within walking distance of the train station. The building seems large, but the lobby is small, and there's only one elevator, which is inconvenient. The staff try their best, though there's room for improvement. My room was spacious and had a sofa and a good bed, but the bathroom was tiny. The carpet also looked difficult to clean, and seemed to show it, with black hairs and other traces left by previous guests. The place was quite noisy, so that may depend on who else is staying. Breakfast is a buffet with a time slot and Western or Japanese options. They do try, but some combinations are odd, including three sweet desserts in the Japanese meal. I'm skipping breakfast tomorrow!

Clean and convenient, right in the downtown area. The train station is just one block away, with lots of shops and places to eat nearby.

The staff and the location made us really enjoy this hotel. We walked here from the train station with two large suitcases and two smaller carry-ons, and it was manageable. The main attractions around the historical canal are about a 10-minute walk away, close enough to feel connected, but far enough that the area was nice and quiet. Everyone we met was friendly and helpful, and seemed to genuinely care about guests. A bespectacled gentleman on the morning shift was lovely to talk with. When we needed to send our bags to the next hotel, he noticed we'd picked a slightly more expensive service and, without being asked, helped us redo the forms for another service and save money. In the evening, Kumar was also lovely. He patiently did his best to answer all our unusual questions about visiting small towns in the region. The floors and walls are a bit thin. On our second morning, a child running around upstairs woke us. The staff were very helpful and even offered us a comfortable room to rest in if needed. We didn't take them up on it, but really appreciated their professionalism. Sometimes things are outside anyone's control, and we were grateful for how they responded.