TAOYA Shima

The name has changed to simply TAOYA, and the hotel no longer offers the Thalassa therapy thing. It’s now more of a general spa resort, which suited us just fine. The setting is beautiful, with every room facing the bay. We were on the fourth floor, and I’d suggest going higher if you can. Rooms are spacious and clean, with big windows and balconies, though some furniture and fittings look a little old. The buffet dinner and breakfast are included in the price and well worth it. There’s a wide range: sushi and sashimi, Chinese dumplings and sweet and sour dishes, western food such as roast beef, and more. All-you-can-drink alcohol is included too, along with Hagen Daz ice cream, and they serve sparkling wine at breakfast. The baths look out over the bay toward Omura island and are lit at night. From the outdoor bath, you might see local birds flying overhead. There were free beer taps outside the bath area while we were there, a nice touch. The rooftop foot bath is worth a look, and a short walk brings you to the beach. We were really impressed. The price was right and it was a great experience.

The open-air footbath under the bright, starry sky was a highlight and more than made up for the hot springs being just so-so. My family loved the place. The beach was mostly clean, the rooms spotless, and the buffet’s range and quality were unmatched.

The whole family had fun in the game center. Even Grandma and Grandpa played with the grandkids. We tried Mario Kart, ice hockey, and the candy-scooping machines, all of which felt nostalgic. It was nice to share memories from my childhood with my kids, who were crazy about Taiko no Tatsujin. The room had a lovely, relaxing view. We also enjoyed picking from the different yukata styles, summer kimonos, and children's sizes, and took lots of photos together. The food was delicious and the hot spring baths were very nice. I’d stay again if I get the chance.

A lovely beachfront resort for relaxing over good food and drinks. The onsen and foot spa were perfect.