Wanraku

A really good place to stay with your dog.

The staff were friendly and struck a good balance, attentive without hovering. The inn is for small and medium-sized dogs only, so ours, who don’t get along with larger dogs, could relax. With just seven rooms, it was quiet. The location on the southern coast of the Boso Peninsula was fantastic for walking the dogs. Dinner was great, especially the generous platter of fresh sashimi, and breakfast was delicious too. We’d heard comments about a smell in the rooms, but there was no issue in our second-floor room. The building isn’t new, but it was clean and comfortable. It may not suit people looking for luxury, but it felt homey and dog-friendly, and we were very satisfied. I’ve never stayed at a hotel before, but I’d definitely like to return to Wanraku.

We could let our dog out onto the dog run whenever we wanted from the wooden deck of our first-floor room. The lawn was well kept, and it felt safe to let him roam. We stayed one night, July 1st to 2nd, for a slightly early summer break. Our timid dog sometimes barks, but the elderly gentleman, the woman handling payment, and the foreign staff all smiled and showed no annoyance. I was really grateful for that. The place was quiet, and we were able to properly unwind. The food was delicious, and our dog seemed to enjoy having room to wander. We tried the pool a little early in the season. Strong winds the day before had blown a lot of sand into it, but they cleaned it when we asked to use it. The water felt a little slimy, perhaps because it was early and the pool hadn’t officially opened yet. They accommodated what we asked for, brought extra towels to the poolside, and had a grooming room where we could clean our dog right after swimming. If the hotel is full, you might need to coordinate bath times and dog run use. We could even take our dog into the bath changing room, so we were together everywhere. A quiet, peaceful stay where we could relax with our dog. ☺️

The room was clean, with no noticeable odors, and getting to the terrace and dog run from our first-floor room was easy. The food was generally good, especially the fresh, tasty sashimi and dessert. Our small dog was nervous and restless but ate the fish meal in no time. The staff said it was the same fish as the sashimi, and the ingredients must be really good because we never see him eat like that at home. The staff were kind and attentive, and chatting with them during the meal made it feel like a fun part of traveling. I know some people may prefer less conversation, but I didn’t mind. It felt less like a typical hotel, since you get chances to talk with the staff. Our dog doesn’t like strangers fussing over him, and they kept a comfortable distance. The facilities were thoughtfully set up and comfortable, and dogs could get on the beds and sofas. The only issue was the bed height for our elderly small dog. At home he uses stairs to get down to the bathroom at night, but here he couldn’t get down and wandered around, so I woke several times. Once he jumped off by himself, and I worried about his joints and legs. Since we came by car, I wish I’d brought his stairs.