Haifu

A comfortable, welcoming place for a luxurious stay.

The staff were professional and the service was good 👍

The island’s calm atmosphere was a big part of why we enjoyed our stay. It has a lot of history, and we could wander around the beach and other spots without much company. We arrived by boat from the opposite shore, a ride of about three minutes, and checked in at the pier right in front of the hotel. It gave me Porco Rosso vibes. Our room’s open-air hot spring was well maintained, and dinner was generous. The spiny lobster was fresh and very chewy. A few dishes were a bit over-seasoned, but we still found the meal satisfying, and breakfast was delicious too. There was quite a bit of noise from the room next door. It was also hard to adjust the open-air bath’s temperature, and the rule against letting the water overflow was tricky. For me, the best part of a hot spring is having the water spill over when you get in. Even with those issues, we were very happy, and the island atmosphere makes this five stars for us. We’d like to return.

I’ve been going to Ise-Shima every year for the past few years, about a two-hour drive away, and I usually seek out places with private open-air baths in the rooms. Haifu is among the best accommodations I’ve stayed in. You park on the other side of the island, then take a short boat ride to the inn. It’s exciting and really makes the trip feel like a holiday, and you’re there in just a few minutes. The inn looks out over the ocean and is clean and tidy, so it’s a very pleasant place to stay. This time I booked a special room. I could soak in the open-air bath while listening to the sea and looking at the moon and stars. There’s a sliding frosted-glass screen for privacy from outside, which felt reassuring for women. Dinner was served in a private room, and the food was delicious, beautifully presented, and wonderful in every way. The staff service was excellent too. I have no complaints at all. I only regret not staying here sooner, and I’ll definitely return.