Shirahama Key Terrace Seamore Residence

For what we paid, the residence wasn’t enjoyable or worth the price. It felt run down and wasn’t very clean when we arrived, and there’s no elevator. The garden was in especially poor shape: the pool was half full of brown water and trash, and some yard tables were coming apart from rust. It was nice to have access to some hotel facilities, including the Onsen, but charging 1000 yen for the fitness area seemed odd given the room rate. The buildings badly need an overhaul.

The location was a real plus, with the main beach, local restaurants, famous photo spots, and a natural onsen facing the sea all nearby. The hotel’s three-story onsen was excellent, although people in the paid area of the Midsea Observation Tower could see bathers if they were too close to the glass. Residence guests could use the hotel facilities, and parking along the road or opposite the hotel was free. There was a shuttle bus, but it didn’t run often enough. The front desk staff spoke English well, and the souvenir shop had the main shopping items. The bakery was a nice spot for breakfast or afternoon tea; the other eateries were a bit pricey, though you could eat in another area near the ocean and enjoy the view. The free infinity foot bath was a perfect place to sit and watch sunset, and bicycles were available to rent. The residence had a shared kitchen and a common area with a TV. In the room, the door wasn’t easy to open, the decor was basic, and there were enough electrical sockets. Only stairs served the block, which made heavy luggage difficult. The washroom floor was quite high, but the plastic hanger inside was helpful for wet swimwear. The desk was narrow, while the refrigerator was large enough for cold drinks in summer. I spotted a small insect on the curtain, which I guessed wasn’t harmful. Japanese-style bathrobes were provided free. Overall, I had a great stay.

We had a great time here as a family, though it seems like it would be fun to come alone too. Dinner was delicious, with fish as the main course and a choice of grilled or hot pot; reserve a table seat if sitting on tatami doesn’t suit you. The hotel is right beside the beach, where we played fireworks after dinner, which is allowed until 11pm in Japan. The basement onsen was great, including salt baths. Rooms are spacious even without a sea view, though the carpet looked a little old and was fine. The infinity foot bath on the ground floor is lovely, with a decent cafe nearby serving cute breads and nice coffee. There’s also a pool next to it, which was very nice.

The onsen in the main building was really nice, but beware of this hotel’s so-called standard rooms. The photos show a building with big windows, yet we got a dark hole with small, very dirty windows and a moldy AC. I felt the standard room was a scam.