Suifusou Keizan

I was really looking forward to this stay after reading the reviews, so leaving disappointed was a letdown. The in-room baths had bugs in them from evening through morning, which would be a problem if you dislike insects. And though the public bath was advertised as open until 9:30 AM, staff were already cleaning it when I got there before 9. The food was very good for this price bracket, and I was happy with both the meals and service around them. The inn has only a few rooms by Lake Kasumigaura, so it felt peaceful and restful. But some staff were far below what I expected at a 50,000 yen inn. The older male staff member's manner was especially poor, and I sensed a lack of professionalism as soon as I arrived. At this price and in this setting, I expected more thought about hospitality.

We chose the smaller meal course since we planned to come after visiting Mount Tsukuba, but it was still more than enough. For the price, the space and meals felt like good value, and the garden was lovely. There weren't many rooms, so the place stayed uncrowded and we could relax. It's a quiet spot with little around it, just right if that's what you're after. This was our first visit to Lake Kasumigaura, for my husband's birthday. Our room had the bedroom upstairs and the living room below, so the stairs could be tough for older guests. The bath windows were all shut because of a serious insect problem, which took away the open feeling. We skipped the private open-air bath in our room for the same reason, though maybe the timing makes a difference. Bathroom amenities were supplied, and it was handy not to have to carry towels from the room.

The hot springs were lovely, and soaking there while thinking about the days when the mansion was ultra-luxurious made for a peaceful, indulgent break. There was plenty of food, it tasted fantastic, and I came away very satisfied.