Wat Hotel& Spa Hida Takayama

The service was fantastic, and consistent from email to in-person contact with every staff member. The bus station is about a 7-8 minute walk away. The hotel provided everything we needed, from toiletries, bottled water, towels, and pajamas to indoor and outdoor public and private onsens. The room was relatively spacious by Japanese standards, and the buffet breakfast starts at 6:30am, which is handy if you’re heading to distant sights. This is the best hotel I’ve stayed at in Japan in this price range.

The rooms were clean, and breakfast had a great variety. Families can also use the four private family onsen rooms. The male and female onsens and coin laundry machines are on the top floor. We stayed two nights to visit Takayama and nearby sights, including Shinhotaka Ropeway. The hotel is minutes from the train station and main attractions. Ajikura, the famous Hida Beef restaurant, is close by too, so you can get there early for a ticket before it opens.

At check-in, we were hit with extra charges that hadn’t been disclosed when we booked. That felt misleading and unprofessional. The hotel is already overpriced for its room and service quality, and the service falls far short of what they seem to promise. The location also felt unsettling, especially at night. It’s in a dark, depressing area next to a hospital. Hotel AMANEK costs less and gives genuine 5-star service and room quality, so staying here afterward felt like being ripped off. Bad location, poor service, hidden fees, and far too expensive. There are much better hotels in the same city.

The hotel itself was nice, with comfortable rooms and a good breakfast. My mom and I had no complaints about those parts. The location was the one issue for us. At night it felt cut off from any main road, and reaching one meant walking through alleys and parking areas. It could feel a bit unsafe, especially since that stretch had very few bright lights.