Kurashiki Royal Art Hotel

The shower was the best I've had, with a main head and four smaller ones along the side. My hubby didn't believe me until he tried it. The room was lovely and roomy, and the bathroom was big too. Funny that a place this nice only had travel-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, which could be a plus or minus depending on what you prefer. Parking costs extra, but even though we arrived late, around 9pm, we could park out front. I wish I'd had more time to enjoy the hotel.

The beds weren't too hard, which was a lovely surprise since so many in Japan are. We had a decent view over the small city, and the location was ideal, with shops and restaurants around and the train station still within walking distance. We were only staying one night, so location mattered most. The booking photos made the hotel look dated, but they really don't do it justice; it was much nicer in person. The rooms had all the usual things you'd want, like a fridge, kettle, and hairdryer, and the bathroom was excellent. I'd definitely recommend it.

The breakfast buffet had a nice range of Western and Asian dishes. The downstairs bar was a good place to unwind, and the hotel itself was very clean with large rooms. There isn't much car parking.

Meguro-san at the front desk was a huge help, arranging for an item I'd left at my previous hotel to be sent to my next one. The hotel has a fancy 90s feel, and its location worked really well for everything we wanted to see in Kurashiki.