Hazel Grouse Manor

We tried riding the horses, and I hadn't done that in ages. There are six at the hotel, and the staff member who showed me the ropes was so kind. Even as a beginner, the horses seemed to follow my every command. The food was delicious, mostly French, and clearly prepared with a lot of care. Breakfast was mostly homemade, too. The owner said he'd hunted, bled, and prepared the venison himself. It was our first stay here. I'd read that some people felt the hotel was cold toward first-time guests, but the manager was polite and helpful. He works tirelessly across everything from reception and cooking to keeping the hotel running. My mother-in-law used to stay here often about 20 years ago and loved it. We didn't mention that to anyone, but after staying here ourselves, I understand why it's her favorite. It was also my first time in a manor house. Other guests' photos give you a good sense of the building and rooms. It seems well suited to horseback riding, fishing, and hunting.

The sea bream was a real treat, since you don't get it in eastern Hokkaido, where people don't eat it. It tasted great, too. After lunch, my wife and I like to move to the next room for tea and look at the fly fishing and other fishing gear on display. The quiet atmosphere is another thing we love about this place. We've had lunch here several times and are both big fans. I've never found a restaurant in eastern Hokkaido that satisfied me like this one. It's in a different league, and it feels like a miracle to have a place like it in this area. I'm very grateful to the owner and staff.

My friend's parents run this lovely hotel. We couldn't try horseback riding because our children were too young, so we treated ourselves to a luxurious lunch instead. You can also go fishing there, besides staying overnight or riding horses. The antiques from England give the interior and furnishings a refined feel. I hope that one day I can grow into the kind of adult who could live in a hotel like this.