Hotel Seikoen

The food quality is excellent for the price. Service is average at best for what you pay, and the room is simple. The futon mattress was thin once set up, so I'd suggest adding more thickness for comfort. In winter, the heater should be set higher at night.

The building is a little dated, but everything else was top notch. It's about 10 minutes or less from the Toshogu Shrine area, and the food was a highlight for us. The staff's old-style room service brought dinner to our room, timed it well, presented it beautifully and the food was extremely tasty. The staff were kind, helpful, hardworking despite the long hours, and attentive to what guests needed. It's an old hotel with old charms, and the people, service and food are what made it special.

Dinner was served in a traditional room, and it felt like good value for money. The staff always tried their best to explain things in English to foreign guests. The women's outdoor onsen is fairly small, comfortable for only about four people at a time. You can leave your car there until noon on checkout day. I'd suggest visiting nearby places right after breakfast, or everywhere gets very crowded.

The food was the best part for me. The simple Kaiseki was good value and let us try local Nikko favorites. The location is convenient if you don't have a car, since the direct bus from Tobu Nikko station is free with a Nikko Pass. Staff were all helpful and nice, and the open-air bath area had a pleasant atmosphere. The room, sauna and bathing area were clean and tidy. Loved it.