Itomachi Hotel 0

The hotel sits in a huge complex with a marche, cafe, and Italian and Japanese restaurants. There are also eateries and a supermarket nearby. The room came with a shopping bag and a tumbler, which you can fill with spring water from the source on the ground floor. I stayed one night in May in a twin room. The hotel is clean and minimalist, with a Muji-like feel. I only had breakfast there, and it was good.

We found some really tasty snacks and beer at Itomachi Marche next door, and sat on their deck before dinner. The hotel itself was a standout in Saijo, where most places seem to be business hotels. The staff were gracious and helpful when we arrived completely soaked on our bikes. Our room was spotless, the bed was comfortable, and the grounds were pleasant. I’d stay again if I’m ever in Saijo.

The fresh vegetables, sourced locally from Saijo, and the rest of the food were all delicious. For our birthday and farewell gathering with friends, we picked one main dish, then helped ourselves to rice, bread, salad, coffee, and more from the buffet. There was time for entertainment too, which made it a great spot for a big group or a celebration.

The staff deserve credit, they were consistently polite, helpful, and multilingual. The hotel is new, with minimalist decor and an interesting zero-emissions concept. I was let down by breakfast. There was brewed coffee but no cappuccino or latte machine, and no soy or oat milk. The bread came without butter or jam, and for a hotel at this price I expected more of a buffet. It also feels a bit overpriced for what’s available, with no gym, pool, games, or wellness programs, and only a limited choice of toiletries. Probably not a budget-traveler option.